Abstract:
A deployable stowable beverage bar system that can be securely but detachably connected to the side of a pleasure craft. The beverage bar having seating on which a swimmer next to the boat can sit and have access to a bar to place a drink or food on when sitting in the seating provided. The beverage bar system can be folded up next to the boat above the water line so the boat can be moved without the beverage bar system causing undue drag on the boat while moving or act as an obstruction to navigation and easily redeployed when the boat stops at a new anchorage.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of U.S. Provisional Application for a Fold-up Drink Bar and Submersible Bar Stools for Boat Side Ser. No. 61/672,568 filed on Jul. 17, 2012 the content of which is relied upon and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an improvement to a pleasure craft, more particularly it relates to a detachable stowable bar for boat side use. 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     During the summer months millions of pleasure crafts ply the streams and lakes of America and many other countries of the world. The pontoon boat or party barge makes up a significant portion of those pleasure crafts used. The boat can be easily moved around a lake or stream and anchored at a desirable spot for people to enjoy the water and view for a few hours or the whole day. 
     The floating platform provided by the pontoon boat or party barge allows one to easily get off the boat to swim and then get back on. However, when one wants to refresh themselves with a beverage if they don&#39;t get back on the boat and prefer to drink while they are in the water they encounter a number of problems. If the water&#39;s over their head they must hold onto something. Even if they can stand up in the water they do not have a convenient spot to set their drink down and there&#39;s no place to sit and relax. While a floating device designed as a floating bar may offer a solution they still have major shortcomings including they take up a significant portion of space on board the vessel when not in use or must be dragged behind the boat when moving and even when in use the individual still must restrain themselves in some fashion by either hold onto the floating device itself or holding onto the boat or alternatively treading water. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a deployable bar for a pontoon boat that includes: a) at least two rigid bands each band having at a first end a short flat piece that connects to an extended curved portion that has a radius of curvature of a boat floatation pontoon and length equivalent to approximately half the diameter of the boat floatation pontoon; b) flexible bands attached to a second end of each of the rigid bands, the flexible bands have a length that when added to the length of the curved portion of the rigid band is less than the diameter of the pontoon but of a sufficient length that when the flat short first ends of the at least two bands are attached to a support strut that connects a pontoon boat body to the floatation pontoon on the side of the boat a second end of the flexible bands attaches to an opposite side of the support strut to securely hold the rigid band against the pontoon; c) the at least two rigid bands have hingedly connected to them a first end of a support frame, the support frame having at least one seat at a second end such that when the rigid bands and flexible bands are secured around the pontoon to the support strut connected to the pontoon, the support frame can be moved between an open position wherein when the pontoon boat is in the water a person can sit on the at least one seat partially submerged in the water next to the pontoon boat and the support frame can be moved to a stowed position wherein the at least one seat is positioned out of the water adjacent to a side of the boat; and d) a bar top hingedly attached to the rigid bands such that it can be moved from an open position where someone sitting in the at least one seat when the support frame is in an open position can place an item on the bar top to a stowed position where it is up out of the water next to the side of the boat. 
     In a further aspect of the deployable bar the flexible bands are selected from a group consisting of nylon straps and stainless steel cable. Additionally it includes in another aspect flexible cushioning strips positioned between each of the at least two rigid bands and the boat floatation pontoon. In another aspect it includes a tensioning mechanism connected to each of the flexible straps the tensioning mechanism being selected from a group of a ratchet mechanism or turn buckles. In yet another aspect of the invention the support frame is positioned in the open down position by flexible bands of appropriate length that attach at a first end to the rigid bands and at a second end to the support frame. In yet another aspect of the invention the flexible bands are selected from a group of flexible straps or chains. In yet another aspect the bar top has at least one cup holder, a plurality of seats the at least two bands is a plurality of bands. 
     In another variation of the invention it provides a deployable stowable beverage bar for a pleasure craft that includes: a) a strapping mechanism that can be detachably but securely attached to the side of a boat; b) contact pivot points on the strapping mechanism to connect a bar top that can be pivoted between a folded stowed position against the boat to a deployed flat position above the waterline adjacent to the boat; and c) at least one seat attached to a first end of a swing arm, the second end of the swing arm being pivotally attached to the strapping mechanism wherein the swing arm can be pivoted between a stowed position against the side of the boat with the seat out of the water to a deployed position below the waterline where a person can sit on the seat submerged to at least their waist in water and place an object on or take an object off or place an object on the bar top when the bar top is in the deployed flat position. 
     In yet another variation of the invention it is a method for providing a deployable stowable beverage bar for a pleasure craft that includes the steps of: a) providing a strapping mechanism that can be detachably but securely attached to the side of a boat; b) providing contact pivot points on the strapping mechanism to connect a bar top that can be pivoted between a folded stowed position against the boat to a deployed flat position above the waterline adjacent to the boat; and c) providing at least one seat attached to a first end of a swing arm, the second end of the swing arm being pivotally attached to the strapping mechanism where the swing arm can be pivoted between a stowed position against the side of the boat with the seat out of the water to a deployed position below the waterline where a person can sit on the seat submerged to at least their waist in water and place an object on or take an object off the bar when the bar is in the flat position. 
     Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description or recognized by practicing the embodiments as described in the written description and claims hereof, as well as the appended drawings. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary, and are intended to provide an overview or framework to understand the nature and character of the claims. 
     The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiment(s), and together with the description serve to explain principles and operation of the various embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention attached to a pontoon boat in deployed position; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the present invention attached to a pontoon of a pontoon boat along line II-II of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of a swing arm assembly of an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention attached to a pontoon boat in a stowed position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention is a detachable stowable bar for a pleasure craft, specifically a pontoon boat, also known as a party barge.  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention of the detachable boat bar  11  attached to a pontoon  14  of a pontoon boat  18 . In the embodiment of the invention depicted in  FIG. 1  two curved rigid metal bands  101 A and  101 B that have a radius of curvature equivalent to pontoon  14  are positioned against pontoon  14 . Bands  101 A and  101 B connect to strut  21  at their upper straight portions  101 C and  101 D by bolts  113 A and  113 B respectively. In a preferred embodiment the upper straight at portions are 4 inches long. Strut  21  connects pontoon  14  to boat deck-superstructure  23 . Between rigid bands  101 A and  101 B and pontoon  14  are strips  114 A and  114 B of a flexible pliable material to provide a cushioning effect and protect the pontoon from damage by the rigid bands. In the preferred embodiment rubber or a similar resilient and pliable material would make up the strips  114 A and  114 B. 
     Bar  111  is attached by hinges  110 A and  110 B to metal bands  101 A and  101 B respectively and appears in its down and deployed position in  FIG. 1 . Two seats  115 A and  115 B attach by swing arms  102 A and  102 B to straps  101 A and  101 B, not shown in  FIG. 1 , but will be described below and illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Referring back to  FIG. 1  the end of swing arm  102 A attaches to seat  115 A at projection  107 A. Similarly swing arm  102 B attaches to seat  115 B in the same manner, at  107 B. In the preferred embodiment this connection is a welded one so that the seat is rigidly fixed in place for someone to sit on it. Swing arms  1024  and  102 B have a spreader  103  connecting them together. In the preferred embodiment spreader  103  is a ¾″ SCH40 pipe. Spreader  103  maintains the distance between swing arm  102 A and  102 B so that the distance between seats  115 A and  115 B is maintained and two people can comfortably sit on the seats. As a further assurance of the stability and positioning of the swing arms  102 A and  102 B two braces  104 A and  104 B connect to swing arms  102 A and  102 B which will be discussed in more detail below. 
     Chain  108 A and  108 B connect the two bands  101 A and  101 B and swing arms  102 A and  102 B respectively. Chains  108 A and  108 B provide support and position seats  115 A and  115 B when the seats are deployed in the down position so people can comfortably sit on the seats. In the preferred embodiment chains  108 A and  108 B are 250 pound rated seamless link galvanized chain of a length that matches the diameter of the boat&#39;s pontoon. In a preferred embodiment chains  108 A and  108 B connect to swing arm  102 A and  102 B by half rounded weldable steel eyes  107 A and  107 B. Chain  108 A connects to strap  101 B by a steel plate  107 C welded to strap  101 . In a preferred embodiment plate  107 C is a 3/16 inch steel plate with an 11/32 inch hold drilled in it for chain attachment. Plate  107 C provides support for bar top  111  when it is in the down and deployed position. Chain  108 B connects by a metal plate identical to plate  107 C, which plate attaches to band  101 B, not visible in  FIG. 1 . This plate also provides support for bar top  111  when it is in the down and deployed position. Bar top  111  has four cup holders  112 . 
     Swing arms  102 A and  102 B are straight for half their length from their connection to seats  115 A and  115 B respectively to the middle of each swing arm. For the other half of their length, swing arms  102 A and  102 B, have a radius of curvature equivalent to the radius of curvature of the boat&#39;s pontoon from their center point to the point they connect to straps  101 A and  101 B, not shown in  FIG. 1 , but described and illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , in the preferred embodiment stowable bar apparatus  11  is configured such that when it is attached to pontoon  14  of boat  18  and in the water the waterline  25  is just below the top of bar  111  but above seats  115 A and  115 B. This allows two people to comfortably sit at the bar in the water with water up to their waist or higher and still be able to place the cup on bar top  111  which is positioned in the preferred embodiment just above water line  25 . 
       FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view along line II-II of  FIG. 1  of the deployed stowable-detachable boat bar system  11  attached to pontoon  14 . Band  101 A in the preferred embodiment has a length equal to or slightly longer than half the diameter of pontoon  14  as depicted in  FIG. 2 . As noted above at its first end band  101 A is secured to strut  21  by bolt  113 A. As depicted in  FIG. 2  band  101 A is secured at its other end to an end  219  of flexible strap  109 , in turn flexible strap  109  is secured at its second end  220  to strut  21 . The connection at point  220  is by a hook on the end of strap  109  that hooks into an aperture on strut  21 . However those skilled in the art once they review and understand the concepts of the invention will know there are other ways to make a secure but detachable connection of the end  220  of strap  109  to strut  21 . 
     In one preferred embodiment strap  109  is made of nylon or similar resilient and durable fabric and has a ratchet device located at point  219  to secure both band  101 A and strap  109 A tightly but detachably against pontoon  14 . Naturally, the ratcheting mechanism allows for the tightening or loosening of the combination band  101 A and strap  109 . Alternatively in another preferred embodiment strap  109  could be a stainless steel cable of perhaps 3/32″ in diameter and of a length that would fit snuggly to pontoon  14  when attached to strut  21  and band  101 A at either end. A turn type of buckle attachment connected to band  109  at point  219  or alternatively at connection  220  where it attaches to band  101  could be used to create the appropriate tension on band  101 A and cable  109  to thereby detachably securethem to pontoon  14 . 
     Swing arm  102 A attaches to hinge  105 A. Hinge  105 A being attached to band  101 A. The end of swing arm  102 A attached to hinge  105  A is connected in a pivotal fashion such that arm  102 A is allowed to swing up against pontoon  114 , after bar counter  111  is pivoted up on hinges  110 A and B as will be discussed and illustrated below. 
     Swing arm  102 A when pivoted to the fully deployed position as depicted in  FIG. 2  is held in place by chain  108 A. Naturally, the connection of swing arm  102 B to band  101 B, not shown, is exactly the same as swing arm  102 A it attaches at a pivot point at the end opposite seat  115 B by a hinge that is the mirror image of hinge  105 A and it also attaches by chain  108 B the same as chain  108 A attaches to swing arm  101 A. In the preferred embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2  detachable bar apparatus  11  is configured such that bar top or counter  111  is positioned just above waterline  25  when the boat is in the water. Likewise seats  115  A and B are positioned below the waterline when deployed such that when an individual sits on a seat the water comes up to his or her waist or higher. Also plate  107 C is positioned such that when bar top  111  is in the down or deployed position it provides support for bar  111 . Also, as noted elsewhere herein chain  108 B attaches to band  101 B by plate that is the mirror image of plate  107 C and in the same position on band  101 B as plate  107 C is on band  101 A so it also provides support for bar top  111  when in the down position or as depicted in  FIG. 2 . Naturally these aspects can be varied without departing from the concepts of the invention. 
       FIG. 3  provides a top view of the complete swing arm structure  325  a portion of which can be seen in  FIG. 1 ; however most of the bracing which maintains the correct orientation between swing arms  102 A and  102 B are positioned out of sight under pontoon  14  in  FIG. 1 . As can be seen in  FIG. 3  spreader  103  which is securely attached at either end of swing arm  102 A and  102 B provides for the appropriate separation between the swing arms. Also, the lower connection for chain  108 B connector  107 B, in the preferred embodiment a half rounded steel eyelet, is depicted. 
     As noted in the preferred embodiment spreader  103  is welded to swing arms  102 A and  102 B. Additionally, braces  104 A and  104 B are securely connected to swing arms  102 A and  102 B and each other in the positions where they touch as depicted in  FIG. 3 . In the preferred embodiment the connections between braces  104 A and  104 B and swing arms  102 A and  102 B are welds. The combination of spreader  103 , braces  104 A and  104 B as connected to swing arms  102 A and  102 B make the combination a solid unit that can pivot at hinges  105 A and  105 B. 
     A preferred embodiment of hinge  105 A depicted in  FIG. 3  consists of two hinge plates  301 A and  303 A which are attached to band  102 A [shown in cross-section]. Hinge plates  301 A and  303 A are positioned such that a third hinge plate  305 A attached to the lower end of swing arm  102 A fits in between hinge plates  301 A and  303 A and thus the three plates can be detachably but securely connected by bolt  307 A. This thus forms hinge  105 A. 
     The same type of structure forms hinge  105 B with hinge plates  301 B and  303 B attached to band  101 B and hinge  305 B attached to the lower end of swing arm  102 B. This allows swing arm structure  325  to be pivoted at hinges  105 A and  105 B and thus allows for the deployment of the seats for use as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2  or to stow the bar assembly  3  out of the water for movement of the boat as will be illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 4  provides a view of the bar assembly-apparatus  11  with the bar counter or top  111  swung up at a folding position and the swing arm assembly  325  also secured in the up and stowed position and held in place by restraining strap  116 . Thus in this position the large parts of the bar structure assembly  11  including the bar  111  as well as seats  115  A and B and swing arm assembly  325  are above the waterline  25 . This allows the pleasure craft to move to a different position on the body of water it may be located on without the excessive drag of the bar when it&#39;s in the deployed position. As also will be appreciated by those skilled in the art now that the details of the invention have been disclosed the whole structure can be very easily removed from the boat if there is a need such as when it may be moved on a trailer or for some other reason. 
     Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any method set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, it is no way intended that any particular order be inferred. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Since modifications combinations, sub-combinations and variations of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.