Material receiving and retaining bib and quick attachable/detachable frame assembly

A material receiving and retaining bib and quick attachable/detachable frame assembly for positioning the bib in a desired location for receipt of material (i.e. varnish, cleaners, paints, etc.) which may run off of a surface being treated. The frame assembly includes a plurality of frame members attached to the surface. The retaining bib is held in place by the frame member. The bib is positioned such that it will catch and retain excess materials falling from the object being serviced such as, but not limited to, a wooden rail or any another item of the marine vessel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to a material receiving and retaining bib having a quick attachable/detachable frame assembly for positioning the bib in a desired location for receipt of material (i.e. fluids, excess varnish, paints, compositions, chemicals, etc.) which may drip or fall off of the surface (i.e. handrail, etc.) to which the material is being applied to.

2. Description of Related Art

When the wooden rails or other wood portions of a marine vessel are treated such as by varnishing, excess varnish or other compositions, chemicals, paints, materials and fluids (all collectively referred to as “materials”), may be applied and often drip, run or fall off from the rail or other object being treated on the marine vessel. Often the excess material falls on the floor or other area of the marine vessel requiring it to be cleaned or otherwise removed or possibly staining the area. Additionally, depending on the location of the wood or other object to be treated on the marine vessel, excess material may also drip into the water thus causing potential pollutants to enter the water with obvious known hazards that may occur by their water entry. Additionally, permitting the excess material to enter a body of water often is in violation of State or Federal regulations, law, orders, etc.

It is therefore a need in the art for a material catching and retaining assembly which will overcome the problems discussed above. Accordingly, the present invention provides such assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides material receiving and retaining bib having a quick attachable/detachable frame assembly for positioning the bib in a desired location for receipt of material (i.e. fluids, excess varnish, cleaners, paints, compositions, chemicals, etc.) which may drip or fall off of the surface (i.e. handrail, etc.) to which the material is being applied to. The frame assembly includes a plurality of quickly attachable/detachable frame members that are quickly and easily attached to a surface of a marine vessel or other location and a retaining bib, tray, apron, drop cloth, large piece of plastic, other objects that will catch and retain the falling material, etc. (collectively referred to a “bib”) which is held in place by the frame member. The bib is positioned such that it will catch and retain excess materials falling from the object being serviced or treated such as a wooden rail or any another item of the marine vessel.

In one non-limiting example, the material is excess varnish that may drip or otherwise fall from a wooden rail located on the marine vessel. However, other materials can also be caught and retained by the present invention and are all considered within the scope of the invention.

Preferably, the frame members are attached to the marine vessel or other object at a spaced-apart distance from each other. Several methods can be used for attaching frame assemblies to the marine vessel and include but are not limited to a magnetic assembly disposed on one or more ends of each frame members, hook and loop fastening assemblies attached to the frame members and to the marine vessel, double-sided tapes, tie ropes and cables used around a post, pole, staunchin, etc. on the vessel or other object and inserted through one of the holes in the frame members, hot glues and adhesives alone or in conjunction with tape on the vessel to protect the surface of the vessel. Various conventional devices can be used for attaching the retaining bib to the frame such as hot fluid adhesives, double-sided tapes, hook and loop fasteners, tie ropes, cables, etc. and other conventional fashion can also be included and are considered within the scope of the invention.

In use the frame members are attached to the desired location of the marine vessel or other object such that they are positioned underneath the area of the boat to be serviced. Once the frame members are attached by one of the above-described methods or some other conventional method, the bib is then attached to the frame member by one of the above-described methods or some other conventional method. Alternatively, the bib itself can be self adhesive for attaching to the frame members. Any excess material dripping from the treated object is caught and retained within the bib prior to touching a non-desired area of the vessel or before entering a body of water the vessel may be residing in. Thus, the present invention eliminates the problems associated with the prior art.

Thus, the present invention provides a quickly removable and easily attachable frame assembly for holding a drip tray or other fluid retaining device (i.e., drip bib, etc.). The frame members can be attached at various locations along a boat hull or other surface area in order to catch any dripping varnish or other material which may be dripping or falling (i.e. from a yacht's cap rail being varnished, etc.). Without the tray or bib in place any varnish which is dripping or running from the cap rail may end up polluting the water where the yacht is located in.

As an example, where used to catch dripping varnish from a yacht's cap rail, a plurality of the frame members can be attached to the boat hull underneath the cap rail and the drip tray or bib is then disposed within the J-shaped grooving of the frame members. Where a boat hull is constructed from metal, a magnetic strip can be provided on one end of the framework for attaching the framework to the boat hull. Alternatively, a first piece of hook and loop (Velcro) can be used and attached to the frame member and a mating hook and loop material can be adhered to the boat hull. The frame members are then connected to the boat hull by mating the hoop and loop fasteners together. Double sided tapes, hot glue, and other adhesives can also be used to attach the frame members to the boat hull or other surface in a non-invasive manner (i.e. without having to drill holes into the boat hull or other surface).

The opposite edge of the frame members can also contain a magnetic strip (or other attachment methods as discussed above) and can also be rounded in shape as opposed to substantially planar. This edge can be used for retaining the frame members to a rounded surface. At least one hole can be also provided in the frame members work for feeding a line or other cord-like material. The use of the line or cord-like material through the various frame members can aid in retaining a frame members from falling (such as into the water) in case it gets disconnected from the boat hull or other surface it may be attached to.

The instant invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As seen in the drawings a material receiving and retaining bib having a quick attachable/detachable frame assembly for positioning the bib in a desired location is provided for receipt of material (i.e. fluids, excess varnish, cleaners, compositions, chemicals, etc.) which may drip or fall off of the surface (i.e. handrail, etc.) to which the material is being applied to. The entire assembly (bib and frame members) is generally designated as reference numeral10. The bib is generally designated as reference numeral20and each frame member is generally designated as reference numeral40.

A plurality of quickly attachable/detachable frame members40are quickly and easily attached to a surface100of a marine vessel or other desired location, preferably in a non-invasive manner with respect to surface100(i.e. no holes in or drilling into surface100). Frame member40includes a body42having a bib supporting surface44. The shape of bib supporting surface44is not limited to any particular shape. However, in a preferred, non-limiting embodiment, surface44is of a substantially “C” “U” or “J” shape or some other substantially curved or rounded shape. Though other shapes which will sufficiently secure retaining bib20to frame member40can also be used and are considered within the scope of the invention.

Frame member40can be provided with one or more apertures, slots and/or holes (collectively referred to as apertures46) which can be used in attaching frame member40to a marine vessel or other object (i.e. to a post, pole by an inserted cable, rope, tie, etc.), attaching bib30to frame member40and/or attaching one frame member40to another frame member40. At least one aperture46in frame member40can be used for feeding a line or other cord-like material. The use of the line or cord-like material through the various frame members40can aid in retaining a frame member40from falling (such as into the water) in case it gets disconnected from the boat hull or other surface it may be attached to.

Frame member40also includes a first end surface48and a second end surface50.

In a first embodiment, a magnetic strip52can be disposed at first end surface48and/or second end surface54for attaching frame member40to a magnetic surface, such the hull surface area of a marine vessel. Though not limiting, one or both end surface of frame member40can be substantially rounded or curved in shape (SeeFIG. 12) to permit a larger area of the end surface to come in contact with a rounded surface on the marine vessel or other object (i.e. when attaching frame member40to a post, pole, stauchin, etc.). Where magnetic strip52is used with the curved end surface, magnetic strip52can also be curved.

Other frame attachment methods can be used and are considered within the scope of the invention. Some of these methods includes but are not limited to hook and loop fasteners, hot glue, glues, adhesives, caulking, tape, double-sided tapes, etc. Where hook and loop fasteners are used a first fastener can be attached to one of the end surfaces48or50and a mating second fastener secured to the marine vessel or other desired location. To prevent the hot glues and other adhesives from possibly damaging the marine vessel or other desired object, a piece of tape can be applied to the marine vessel (or other desired location) and the hot glue or other adhesive applied on the tape and/or the end surface48or50of frame member40. End surface48or50is then positioned to be secured to the piece of tape when attaching frame member40, thus, eliminating or reducing the amount of hot glue or other adhesive that directly contacts the marine vessel or other desired object. The hook and loop fastener which may be provided on end surface48and/or surface50for attachment purposes can be permanently attached to such surface(s), while the mating fastener attached to the marine vessel or object would be removed from vessel100or object after the servicing job has been finished and/or the applied material has dried.

End surfaces48and/or50can also be provided with a groove or slot56, which can be substantially v-shaped (SeeFIG. 13) or u-shaped or any other shape which can permit additional adhesive to be provided at end surface49and/or50for attaching frame member40to marine vessel100or other object.

Bib20is positioned and attached to frame member40such that it will catch and retain excess materials falling from the object being serviced or treated such as a wooden rail or any another item on the marine vessel or other object.

In one non-limiting example, the material is excess varnish that may drip or otherwise fall or run from a wooden cap rail located on the marine vessel. However, other materials can also be caught and retained by the present invention and are all considered within the scope of the invention.

As seen inFIG. 8, preferably frame members40are attached to the marine vessel or other object at a spaced-apart distance from each other by any one or more of the attachment methods discussed above. As also mentioned above, various conventional methods can be used for attaching retaining bib20to frame members40and/or retaining bib20itself can be self adhesive for direct attachment to frame members40.

As seen inFIGS. 2–5combination of frame members40can be used for particular purposes, namely, side by side to provide a flat shelf (SeeFIG. 4) for receipt of bib20or for supporting tools, other items, etc; second frame member40positioned underneath first frame member40which receives retaining bib20, for providing additional support to first frame member40(SeeFIG. 5); second frame member40serves as an extension for first frame member40that receives retaining bib20(SeeFIG. 3) which may be desirable for curved or bowed surfaces or other areas. Other combinations are also possible and considered within the scope of the invention. The frame members can be attached to either by various conventional methods including cable ties, rope or cording through apertures46, adhesives, tapes, hook and loop fasteners, caulking, etc. and all are considered within the scope of the invention.

As seen inFIG. 14a further embodiment for the frame member is shown and generally referenced as frame member40a. Frame40afor the most part is constructed and operates in a same or similar fashion as to the other frame embodiments disclosed above for present invention. Thus, frame member40aincludes tie ports (i.e. for receipt of cable ties, etc.) or apertures46a. Additionally, though not shown, frame member40acan include magnetic strips, rounded surface areas, V slot, etc. and other features similar to those described for the other frame embodiments. Frame40acan be provided with bib retaining slots70and72which receive portions of the material catch or drip bib (as well as any other item held by frame member40aused to catch any falling liquid or material). Slots70and72help maintain and retain the drip bib in place. Though slots70and72should be sufficient for retaining the corresponding portion of the bib disposed therein, additional adhesives, tapes, etc. can be used for attached the bib portion to frame member40aafter the bib portions have been inserted into slots70and72. Frame46acan also be provided with at least one, and preferably two pairs of slots80and82which can be used in conjunction with a mounting bracket90(SeeFIG. 15) to mount frame member40ato a vessel, etc.

With the use of mounting bracket90, a stronger connection for frame member40ato the vessel is provided, since mounting bracket provides a larger surface area for contact with the vessel as compared to one of the ends of frame member40a. Bracket member90includes male track portions92and93which are received in one pair of female slots80and82of frame member40a. At least one and preferably two reflex snap locks95can be provided on mounting bracket90which helps to retain the attachment of frame member40ato mounting bracket90, once male track portions have fed into female slot80and82. Where two snap locks95are provided, frame member40a, when properly attached to mounting bracket90, is disposed between the two snap locks. Other protrusions extending outward from mounting bracket90can also be used in lieu of snap locks95and are also considered within the scope of the invention.

The mounting bracket90can be attached to the vessel or other object by any known means, and all the means disclosed above for attaching frame member40or40adirectly to the vessel can be used such as, but not limited to, adhesives, tapes or hook and loop fasteners, etc.

In use the frame members are attached to the desired location of the marine vessel or other object such that they are positioned underneath the area of the boat to be serviced. Once the frame members are attached by one of the above-described methods or some other conventional method, the bib is then attached to the frame member by one of the above-described methods or some other conventional method. Any excess material dripping from the treated object is caught and retained within the bib prior to touching a non-desired area of the vessel or before entering a body of water the vessel may be residing in.

Thus, the frame members are quickly attachable to marine vessel100or other object, as well as quickly detachable from such vessel or other object. Additionally, the frame members are preferably attached in a non-invasive manner (i.e. no holes in the vessel or surface).

It is also within the scope of the invention that more than one bib is provided and attached to the frame members either in a side by side relationship or in an overlapping relationship.

It is also further within the scope of the invention that different embodiments of the frame members are used together (i.e. some of frame member40and some of frame member40a, etc.).

The frame members and bib can be sold and marketed as a complete unit or can be sold individually. The frame members and/or bib can be used for other purposes particularly where it is desired to attached a frame member to a surface without invading the surface (i.e. invasion through drilling holes, screwing in screws or bolts, etc.).

The term bib is considered to be broad and include any item which can catch and retain falling material and that can be properly positioned with respect to a marine vessel or other intended object by the frame members of the present invention.

Knowing, that the present invention is in place to catch and retain any falling material, the individual servicing marine vessel100or other object, can be liberal in applying the material, which should provide a better treatment of the serviced object.