Abstract:
The present invention is an accessory ready assembly that mounts to a support structure on a marine vessel. The assembly includes a male spline fitting having an end face that is configured to mount onto the support structure. A female spline connector is removably disposed on the male spline fitting. An accessory is disposed on an end of the female spline connector. A clamp is disposed on the female spline connector. The clamp securely fastens the female spline connector and the accessory to the male spline fitting.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/708,128, filed on Aug. 10, 2005, entitled Accessory Ready Assembly, the prior application is herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention pertains to a mounted splined fitting system that permits mounting of a variety of accessories to a supporting framework or structure of a marine vessel. More specifically, to an accessory ready assembly that is mounted to a structure of a marine vessel for holding fishing rods or other accessories. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Marine vessels typically have multiple accessories such as fishing rod holders, antennas, cup holders, spotlights, speakers, wakeboard racks, cutting boards &amp; barbeques pre-installed to the vessel during construction or are later attached by the user for the purpose of improving the vessel as desired by the owner. 
   These accessories are typically either welded permanently in place or attached by a clamping and bolting method to a supporting framework or the side paneling bodywork of the vessel so as to position the accessories in an ideal or suitable position as required by the particular accessory. 
   A fishing rod holder is typically positioned on a tubular section of the vessels framework for the purpose of supporting a removable fishing rod while fishing. The original mounted position on the tubular section of the rod holder typically dictates the positioning angle of the fishing rod relative to the vessel and surrounding water of the vessel. The position cannot readily be changed without hand tools being used to adjust them or cut off and re-welded elsewhere on the framework. 
   A rod holder typically serves as a rigid support for the fishing rod so as to be able to store the fishing rod in a safe position when not in use in order to prevent injury to occupants of the vessel. The rod holder also positions the fishing rod and its tip end at a suitable angle relative to the water for enabling fishing line and bait to be deployed from the fishing rod for the intended purpose of catching fish by what in one particular practice is termed “trolling”. 
   Often times a fishing rod needs to be repositioned relative to the vessel&#39;s structure while in use to allow the fishing rod line to be deployed at a different angle relative to the water and boat in order to space the multiple lines of the fishing rods in the water to prevent tangling during fishing. 
   Other accessories such as speakers, antennas, flag poles and spot lamps all sometimes are also mounted onto a vessel&#39;s structure, which sometimes need to be adjusted around at least one axial fixed plane. 
   Pre-installed rod holders and other multiple accessories are quite often not positioned on the supporting structure according to an end user&#39;s particular preference. Often the choice and color of the rod holders or accessories offered by the manufacturer on and included with the vessel or framework structure is not acceptable to the end user. Furthermore, sometimes damage occurs during freight to pre-installed mounted accessories the item has had to be replaced, which quite often is not practical as they are usually welded to a support structure. 
   Existing welded-on rod holders or accessories prevent any adjustment at all as these rod holders have to be cut off and repositioned and welded back on to suit the mounting position preference of the end user of the vessel. This practice is time consuming and not practical. 
   Also, welded-on rod holders, accessories and support structures often have a weld bead visible to the naked eye and often times has visible surface weld flaws and joints that are not cosmetically appealing. This is because the welded joint is poorly welded or spray-painted after welding for corrosion protection, which does not always match the structures original color. 
   Existing rod holders and accessories are usually axially adjustable along and around a supporting tubular framework section of the vessel, which permits a change of angle. However, this requires hand tools to perform the adjusting task by unbolting, repositioning and retightening. This is not a practical and easy task to undertake if the vessel is in use out on the ocean at the time. 
   Other existing bolt-on rod holders do permit adjustment in two axial planes either by utilizing a serrated tooth mid-section coupling method of connecting two halves of a rod holder to one another. This requires a user&#39;s hand to either unscrew a mid-section barrel that unlocks the serrated end teeth to permit change of the rod holder angle for one axial plane. Hand tools are required to change the other axial plane position on the structures tubular mounting surface. The mid-section adjustable type rod holder is difficult to adjust as the hand can slip while unscrewing the mid-section locking component due to the often wet and greasy boating and fishing environment which can cause the rod holder to not be totally secure. 
   Other various existing bolt-on rod holders and accessories require that hand tools be used for changing both axial plane mounting positions of the rod holder or accessory on the mounting structure of the vessel which is more impractical than the existing bolt-on type holders. 
   The disadvantages of the rod holders as described above are that the rod holder are permanently affixed to a support structure and do not allow for a practical adjustment of the rod holder. Moreover, any changes to the positioning of the rod-holders is time consuming, labor intensive, and cannot be easily made while fishing. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide an accessory ready assembly, which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices of this general type and which provides an accessory ready assembly that is more versatile and easier to use. 
   With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, an accessory ready assembly that mounts to a support structure on a marine vessel. The assembly includes a male spline fitting having an end face that is configured to mount onto the support structure. A female spline connector is removably disposed on the male spline fitting. An accessory is disposed on an end of the female spline connector. A clamp is disposed on the female spline connector. The clamp securely fastens the female spline connector and the accessory to the male spline fitting. 
   In accordance with another feature of the invention, the female spline connector has a longitudinal slot and a cutout formed therein. The clamp has a longitudinal gap formed therein defining two sides, each of the sides having a respective borehole formed therein. The cutout and the boreholes receive a fastener for fastening the female spline connector to the male spline fitting. 
   In accordance with an added feature of the invention, the clamp is affixed to the female spline connector by a fastener. 
   In accordance with an additional feature of the invention, the fastener has a shaft. The male spline fitting has a radial groove having sidewalls. The shaft engages at least one of the sidewalls for securely fastening the female spline connector to the male spline fastener. 
   In accordance with yet an additional feature of the invention, the fastener includes a nut and a knob for allowing a hand tightening of the fastener. 
   In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the male spline fitting has a longitudinal through hole formed therein for allowing electrical wires to pass through to the accessory. 
   In accordance with yet another feature of the invention, the male spline fitting has a longitudinal threaded hole formed therein for fastening the male spline fitting to the support structure. 
   Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. 
   Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied as an accessory ready assembly for holding an accessory, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. 
   The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of two accessory ready assemblies according to the invention mounted on a T-top assembly; 
       FIG. 1   a  is a perspective view of an accessory ready assembly according to the invention mounted on a T-top assembly having a welded configuration; 
       FIG. 1   b  is another perspective view of the accessory ready assembly according to the invention mounted on a T-top assembly positioned at a different position having the welded configuration; 
       FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the accessory ready assembly according to the invention mounted on a T-top assembly in yet a different position having the welded configuration; 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the accessory ready assembly according to the invention in a bolt-on configuration; and 
       FIG. 4  is another perspective view of the accessory ready assembly according to the invention mounted on a T-top assembly having the bolt-on configuration; 
       FIG. 5  is another partial exploded view of the accessory ready assembly according to the invention mounted on a showing a rod holder; 
       FIG. 6  is a partial assembly view of the accessory ready assembly according to the invention showing a rod holder; 
       FIG. 7  is another partial exploded view of the accessory ready assembly according to the invention showing the spline connection; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the accessory ready assembly according to the invention showing the different male spline connections; 
       FIG. 9  is a partial assembly view of the accessory ready assembly according to the invention showing the bolt on connection; 
       FIG. 10  is a partially exploded view of the accessory ready assembly according to the invention shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
       FIG. 11  is another partially exploded view of the accessory ready assembly according to the invention shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
       FIG. 12  is a partial assembly view of the accessory ready assembly according to the invention showing the bolt on connection corresponding to  FIG. 11 ; 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective sectional view of the accessory ready assembly according to the invention; 
       FIG. 14  is a sectional view of the accessory ready assembly according to the invention; 
       FIG. 15  is a perspective sectional view of the accessory ready assembly according to the invention without the securing fastener in place; 
       FIG. 16  is another perspective view of the accessory ready assembly according to the invention with the securing fastener in place; 
       FIG. 17  is a longitudinal sectional view of the accessory ready assembly according to the invention; 
       FIG. 18  is an exploded view of the accessory ready assembly according to the invention with a bolt-on male spline configuration; 
       FIG. 19  is an exploded view of the accessory ready assembly according to the invention with a weld-on male spline configuration; 
       FIG. 20  is another exploded view of the accessory ready assembly according to the invention with a bolt-on male spline configuration; 
       FIG. 21  is a perspective view of the accessory ready assembly according to the invention according to  FIG. 20 ; 
       FIG. 22  is a perspective view of the accessory ready assembly according to the invention according to  FIG. 19  with a rod holder tube; and 
       FIG. 23  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the accessory ready assembly according to the invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring now to the figures of the drawing in detail and first, particularly, to  FIGS. 1-2 , which illustrate the accessory ready assembly  1  shown with a rod holder tube  50 . The assembly  1  is attached to a tube  101  of a structure  100  (such as a T-top frame).  FIGS. 1   a - 2  show the assembly  1  with the tube  50  set to various positions with respect to the tube  101 . 
     FIG. 3  shows an exploded view of the assembly  1  configured to be bolted onto the tube  101 . The assembly  1  includes a male spline fitting  11  and a female spline connector  4 . The female spline connector  4  is affixed to the tube  50  or another accessory holder by a weld bead  51  or any other suitable connection. The weld bead  51  must be provided so as to allow the female spline connector  4  to properly clamp the male spline fitting  11  and to securely fasten the tube  50  to the female spline connector  4 . The female spline connector  4  has teeth  25  provided on its inner diameter. The female spline connector  4  includes a longitudinal slot  22  ( FIG. 7 ), which allows the female spline connector  4  to be tightened onto the male spline fitting  11 . The female spline connector  4  has a cutout or bore  26  and has a threaded hole  12  for a screw  8 . A cover sleeve  6  slides over the female spline connector  4  to cover the weld  51 . 
   The male spline fitting  11  has teeth  25  provided on its outer diameter. The male spline fitting  11  includes a radial groove  20  and is either bolted to the tube  101  with first clamp half  15  and the second clamp half  16  held together by screws  17 . The male spline fitting  11  is welded to first clamp half  15  or is connected thereto by any suitable connection. A second cover sleeve  2  is used to cover a weld or any other joint between the male spline connector  11  and the clamp half  15  or the tube  101 . 
     FIGS. 13 and 14  show the female spline connector  4  is mounted to the male spline fitting  11 . A ring shaped clamp  5  has an inside diameter face  37  which is disposed on the outside diameter  38  of the female spline connector  4 . The clamp  5  is held in place on the female spline connector  4  by the screw  8 , which is disposed in the hole  27 . When attached with the screw  8 , the clamp  5  holds the cover sleeve  6  in place against the tube  50 . 
   The clamp  5  has a longitudinal split or gap  21 , which has a bore  23  on both sides of the gap  21 . A fastener  3  having a shaft portion  30  and is disposed through the bores  23 , the bore  26 , and the radial groove  20 . The fastener  3  engages a retaining face or sidewall  42  of the radial groove  20  ( FIGS. 16 and 17 ). The fastener  3  has a nut  18  disposed thereon for tightening the clamp  5  by narrowing the gap  21 . 
   The reduction of the longitudinal slot  22  causes the teeth  25  of the female spline connector  4  to firmly engage the teeth  24  of the male spline fitting  11 . The fastener  3  is provided with a knob  60 . A further fastener  3   a  does not include the knob  60 . A thrust washer  19  can be disposed on the shaft  30  of the fastener  3  to prevent galling. The clamp  5  has a housing bore  31  for the nut  18 , which prevents the nut  18  from rotating during a tightening of the fastener  3 . The above-discussed construction of the female spline connector  4 , the male spline fitting  11  and the clamp  5  allows an easy adjustment of the tube  50  for allowing the desired positioning of the tube  50 . 
     FIG. 8  shows various types of male spline fittings  11   a - 11   e . Male spline fitting  11   a  has a concave end face  71  and a threaded hole  32  formed therein. The threaded hole  32  is provided to bolt the male spline fitting  11   a  is used to bolt the connector  11   a  to the tube  101 . Male spline fitting  11   b  has a concave face  71 , which matches the diameter of the tube  101  so as to allow the male spline fitting  11   b  to be welded to the tube  101 . Male spline fitting  11   c  has a flat face  72  so as to allow the male spline fitting  11   c  to be welded to a flat support surface. Male spline fittings  11   d  and  11   e  show that a through hole  65  is formed therein. The through hole  65  allows for electrical wiring to pass through the male spline fitting when an electrical accessory is mounted on the female spline connector  4  instead of the rod holder tube  50 . 
     FIGS. 18 and 20  show the male spline fitting  11   a  as it is to be mounted onto the tube  101 . The tube  101  has a through hole  102  formed therein, which aligns with the threaded hole  32 . A threaded fastener  47  is provided with a liner spacer  45  and affixes the male spline fitting  11   a  to the tube  101 . A cap  49  is provided to cover the end of the fastener  47 .  FIGS. 18 and 20  show a heavy-duty strengthening spacer  44  may be used to add support to the male spline fitting. The strengthening spacer  44  has a profile that matches the support tube  101 . The strengthening spacer  44  can be welded onto the male spline fitting  11   a  with the weld bead  46 . 
     FIG. 19  shows the male spline fitting  11   b  as it is mounted on the tube  101  by a weld  43 . 
     FIG. 22  shows the female spline connector  4  with the clamp  5  ready to be mounted onto the male spline connector  11 . As seen in the figure the rod holder  50  can be orientated at any desired position with respect to the tube  101 . 
     FIG. 23  shows another embodiment of the accessory ready assembly  1 . In this embodiment the clamp  5  and the longitudinal slot  22  are eliminated and the female spline connector  4  is held in place on the male spline by a screw  82 . While this embodiment does reduce the number of components required for the accessory ready assembly  1 , it is not as easy to facilitate a change a position of the rod holder tube  50 .