Abstract:
A removable console for a boat and a boat including such a removable console are disclosed. The removable console is adapted to be positioned before a passenger seating position in the boat to shield the passenger position from wind. The connection between the deck of the boat and the removable console is fastenerless, so as to facilitate easy installation and replacement. The console itself may be enclosed, with both upper and lower surfaces.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates generally to boating and marine structures and, more particularly, to a modular removable console for a boat. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Bass boats are small boats designed for recreational fishing, usually in freshwater. Generally 18-22 feet in length and made of FIBERGLAS or aluminum, they are typically powered by an outboard motor or motors and commonly provide seating for two passengers, usually in the form of swivel chairs. 
     In a typical arrangement, there are two side-by-side chairs in a bass boat. By custom, the pilot&#39;s chair is on the right (i.e., the starboard side) and faces a console that includes the engine and rudder controls and instrument displays. A windscreen may also be attached to the console to shield the pilot from the wind. Many bass boats also place a console without instruments facing the left-hand (i.e., port) or passenger side, solely to provide a windscreen for the passenger. 
     While a passenger-side console with windscreen is helpful if two passengers are in the boat, if the pilot is alone, the second console can create a visual obstruction and limit visibility. Additionally, in some climates, particularly warmer ones, a passenger-side windscreen may be unnecessary. Therefore, some bass boats are made with a removable passenger-side console. However, most of these removable consoles are placed and removed by way of a complex mechanism that requires, for example, bolting and unbolting various components. While this kind of console may be removable, it is not necessarily easy to do so. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One aspect of the invention relates to a removable console for a boat. The removable console includes a rear portion, an upper surface, and a horizontal portion. The rear portion includes a plurality of horizontally-extending connecting members that are spaced from one another and are dimensioned to be inserted into a corresponding plurality of receptacles in a boat. The upper surface is connected to an upper edge of the rear portion and extends at least generally outwardly and forwardly therefrom. The horizontal portion is connected to the rear portion and extends horizontally therefrom on at least one side of the removable console. The horizontal portion is constructed and arranged to be releasably secured to the boat and includes an operable engaging portion of a lock. 
     Another aspect of the invention relates to a boat. The boat includes a hull and a deck arranged within the hull. The boat also includes a connecting plate provided in a portion of the deck. The connecting plate makes an angle with the horizontal and includes a plurality of receptacles, each receptacle spaced from the others. The boat also includes a removable console, as described above, and a receiving bracket. The connecting members of the removable console are constructed and arranged to be inserted into the receptacles of the connecting plate. The receiving bracket is connected to an interior portion of the boat spaced from the connecting plate and is arranged to receive and support the horizontal portion of the removable console. The receiving bracket includes a lock receptacle constructed and arranged to lockingly engage the operable engaging portion of a lock carried by the horizontal portion of the removable console. 
     Yet another aspect of the invention relates to an enclosed removable console for a boat, including a lower surface that connects with the upper surface of the removable console to enclose at least a portion of the console. 
     Other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description that follows. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be described with respect to the following drawing figures, in which like numerals represent like features throughout the views, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a boat according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of a removable console that may be removably placed in the boat of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the removable console of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the deck of the boat of  FIG. 1  with the console removed, illustrating the engaging structure for the console on the deck; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the console-boat interface, illustrating the general process of installing the console on the boat; 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view of a portion of the boat, taken through Line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 , illustrating the manner of engagement of console and boat; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a portion of the removable console of  FIGS. 2-3  as installed, illustrating a locking mechanism for the console in a disengaged configuration; and 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the boat similar to the view of  FIG. 6 , illustrating the locking mechanism for the console in an engaged and locked configuration. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a boat, generally indicated at  10 . The boat  10  includes a hull  12  and a deck  14 . The boat  10  is generally of the type used for recreational fishing, and in particular, for bass fishing, although boats  10  according to embodiments of the invention need not be limited to those uses. An outboard motor  16  is provided to propel the boat  10 , and in some embodiments, the boat  10  may also include a separate trolling motor for low-speed propulsion during fishing operations (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). The hull  12  and deck  14  of the boat  10  of the illustrated embodiment are made of FIBERGLAS glass fiber composite, although in other embodiments, they may be made of other materials. 
     The boat  10  of  FIG. 1  includes two passenger positions side-by-side, one passenger position  20  on the starboard (i.e., right) side and one passenger position on the port (i.e., left) side  22 . Each passenger position  20 ,  22  includes a chair  24 . The chairs  24  of the illustrated embodiment are fixed in forward-facing positions, although chairs  24  in other embodiments of the invention may swivel or have any other desirable features. By convention, the starboard-side passenger position  20  is the pilot&#39;s position, although this need not be the case in all embodiments. Because it is the pilot&#39;s position, the starboard-side passenger position  20  includes engine controls and a wheel for rudder control, collectively indicated at  26 , and a console  28  that includes instrument displays. A windscreen may be connected to an upper surface  32  of the console  28  to shield the pilot from wind. 
     In the illustration of  FIG. 1 , the port-side passenger position  22  also has a console  34  installed between the bow and the passenger chair  24  to shield the passenger chair  24  from wind. The console  34  is also adapted to be connected to a windscreen  36 . However, in boats  10  according to embodiments of the invention, the console  34  is removable. Therefore, if there is no passenger or if the climate does not warrant it, the console  34  can be removed. Removing the console  34  may provide better visibility for the pilot. Moreover, as will be described below in more detail, the manner in which the console  34  and the boat  10  engage is such that the console  34  may be easily removed and replaced. 
       FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the removable console  34  in isolation. The console  34  has a rear portion  38  that, in the illustrated embodiment, is generally vertical in orientation. The rear portion  38  is constructed and arranged to be connected to the deck  14 , or, in other embodiments, to other portions of the boat  10 . To that end, the boat  10  has a plurality of horizontally extending connecting members  40  that are fixed to the rear portion  38  and are spaced from one another. In the console  34 , there are three connecting members  40 , each evenly spaced from the others, although more or fewer members may be used in other embodiments. As those of skill in the art will realize, it is generally advantageous to use at least two connecting members  40 , although a single connecting structure may be used, particularly if it is larger or more extensive than the connecting members  40 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the console  34  does not include any instrumentation. However, in other embodiments of the invention, the console  34  may include instrumentation, in which case the rear portion  38  may include an opening through which a wiring harness could pass or may include some form of electrical connector for the instruments. Additionally, the rear portion  38  may include any other connector or structure that is desirable in allowing the console  34  to connect to the boat  10 . 
     The console  34  also has an upper surface  42  that is connected to and contiguous with the rear portion  38 . In the illustrated embodiment, the upper surface  42  is a curved and contoured surface that extends upward and sternward from the rear portion  38 . The upper surface  42  includes attachment points  43  for a windscreen. The upper surface  42  may have essentially any shape or features, although it may be useful if that shape is at least somewhat aerodynamic. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the upper surface  42  of the console  34  has a central raised portion that slopes down toward the left and right sides of the surface. 
     It should be understood that for reasons of symmetry, appearance, and ease in manufacturing, the console  34  may be made to look substantially similar or identical to the console  28  on the starboard-side position  20 , at least externally. Making the two consoles  28 ,  34  substantially identical may allow some of the same molds and tooling to be used for both. For reasons of identity or symmetry, the console  34  may also include nonfunctional pieces or trim to match those of the other console  28 . 
       FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of the console  34 . As shown, the console  34  also includes a front surface  44  that faces the passenger position  22 . The front surface  44  need not be planar, and as shown in  FIG. 3 , the front surface  44  of the illustrated embodiment is a complex, three-dimensional surface that, like the other parts of the console  34 , may have an overall shape that is generally similar to that of the console  28 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the front surface  44  of the console  34  is generally L-shaped, beginning in a generally vertical orientation where it meets the upper surface  42  and sloping downwardly and forwardly into a nearly horizontal orientation where it meets a lower surface  46  of the console, which will be described below in more detail. Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the front surface  44  has a rearwardly extending lip that overlaps the edges of the upper and lower surfaces  42 ,  46  where it meets them, so as to provide better engagement and sealing between those structures. 
     The front surface  44  of the console  34  may provide any desired features. In some embodiments, it may carry instruments. However, in many embodiments, the console  34  may serve primarily to shield the passenger position  22  from wind, in which case instruments would generally not be necessary. In the illustrated embodiment, the console  34  includes a storage compartment, the door  49  of which forms a part of the front surface  44 . As with a traditional automobile glove compartment, the compartment in the console includes a lock  51 . As those of skill in the art will realize, the console  34  need not include a compartment or any other such features, and may not include a compartment in all embodiments. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, both consoles  28 ,  34  are enclosed; that is, the lower surface  46  is constructed and arranged to mate with the upper surface  42  and the front surface  44  to enclose at least a portion of the console  34 . In addition to enclosing the console  34 , the lower surface  46  also accommodates a handrail  48 , and may include other features as well. Those of skill in the art will understand that the various surfaces of the consoles  28 ,  34  may be manufactured and assembled using any known processes. For example, FIBERGLAS parts may be molded, and in particular, the upper and lower surfaces  42 ,  46  may be bonded together using an adhesive such as methyl methacrylate adhesive. However, it should also be understood that the front surface  44  of the console  34  may be attached to the upper and lower surfaces  42 ,  46  by different means than those by which the upper and lower surfaces  42 ,  46  are attached to one another. For example, as can be seen in  FIG. 2 , the front surface  44  may be removably secured with fasteners. The use of removable securement for the front surface  44  may be particularly advantageous in some embodiments because it allows the front surface  44  to be removed if it is necessary to service components inside of the console  34 . Depending on the embodiment, the connections or interfaces between the structures that define the console  34  may be weatherproofed or sealed using any conventional technologies, including caulking, gaskets, O-rings, and the like. 
     Because both consoles  28 ,  34  are fully enclosed, the two consoles  28 ,  34  may have additional stability and resistance to vibrational stresses as compared with unenclosed consoles. However, the consoles  28 ,  34  need not be fully enclosed, or enclosed at all, in every embodiment. 
     The console  34  also includes a generally horizontal portion  50  that is connected to the upper and lower surfaces  42 ,  46  and extends horizontally to one side of the console  34 . The horizontal portion  50  provides a surface on which the passenger may place objects, and also provides an additional point of attachment to the boat  10 , as will be described below in more detail. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the upper surface of the horizontal portion  50  may be covered with nonskid material  52  (e.g., rubber) to facilitate its use. The horizontal portion  50  also carries an operable engaging portion of a locking or cam locking system, shown generally as  54 , whose purpose is to releasably lock the console  34  into engagement with the boat  10  to secure it. The rotating handle  56  of the locking system  54  can be seen on the upper surface of the horizontal portion  50 , and the locking system  54  itself will be described in more detail below. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the area of the boat  10  to which the console  34  is attached, shown without the console  34  installed. As shown, the deck  14  makes a step down proximate to the port and starboard passenger positions  20 ,  22 , dividing the deck into upper  58  and lower  60  portions. In the area of the step down, the deck  14  is formed to include an angled portion  61  that makes an angle with the horizontal of approximately 30 degrees. Provided on the angled portion  61  is a connecting plate  62 . The connecting plate  62  includes a plurality of openings  64 , each spaced from one another, and each carrying a port or receptacle  66  that is constructed and adapted to receive one of the connecting members  40 . 
     The connecting members  40  and the corresponding receptacles  66  may be of any shape and characteristics, as long as they fit together and engage one another. In particularly advantageous embodiments, the connecting members  40  and receptacles  66  may comprise pre-matched sets of hardware. For example, recreational vehicle door holders may be used for the connecting members  40  and receptacles  66 . In particular, the low profile bumper door holder #10665 sold by JR Products (Clarence Center, N.Y., United States), made of a plastic material, is particularly suitable. The heads  68  of the connecting members  40  may be modified in shape by cutting, carving or some other process so as to enter the receptacles  66  with less resistance. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the connecting members  40  may have heads  68  with a generally octagonal cross-section (best seen in the view of  FIG. 6 ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , a receiving bracket  70  is mounted on the interior port sidewall of the boat  10  spaced from the connecting plate  62 . The receiving bracket  70  may, for example, be made of a metal, such as aluminum, and may be secured to the sidewall by screws, bolts, or other fasteners. The receiving bracket  70  provides support to and locking engagement with the console  34  when it is installed, as will be described below in more detail. 
     Although the primary purpose of the receptacles  66  and the receiving bracket  70  is to secure the removable console  34 , that is not the only purpose to which these structures may be put. For example, when the removable console  34  is not present, the connecting plate  62  may be covered by a decorative plate that is secured into the receptacles. Of course, in addition to a removable console  34 , any other kind of structure may be secured into the boat  10 . The removable bracket  70  may, for example, be used to support a drink holder when no console  34  is present. Covering the receptacles  66  and receiving bracket  70  when not supporting a console  34  is advantageous in that it may prevent corrosion or wear on the parts and may also cover any sharp edges that might otherwise create a hazard. 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the console  34  and a portion of the boat deck  14  proximate to the step down. As shown, in order to install the console  34 , one inserts the connecting members  40  into the corresponding receptacles  66 . Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the edge of the horizontal portion  50  forms a downwardly-extending lip  72 . That lip  72  has a generally rectangular cut-out  74  arranged so as to correspond to the position of the receiving bracket  70 . As can be appreciated from  FIGS. 4 and 5 , when the console  34  is installed, the cut-out portion  74  of the lip  72  is received by and fits within a horizontally-oriented slot or channel  76  defined in the upper edge of the receiving bracket  70  between the bracket  70  and the interior sidewall of the hull  12  of the boat  10 , where it is supported by the bracket  70 . 
       FIG. 6  is a sectional view of a portion of the engaged console  34  and deck  14 , taken through Line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5  and illustrating a connecting member  40  in engagement with a receptacle  66 . As shown, the connecting member  40  and receptacle  66  are connected to their respective structures by bolts, although any sort of fastener or other means of securement may be used, and in some embodiments, connecting members  40  and receptacles  66  may be molded into or integrally formed with their respective structures. As can be appreciated from  FIG. 6  and from the description above, the connecting members  40  and corresponding receptacles  66  effect a fastenerless, releasable connection with one another, allowing such a connection between the boat  10  and the console  34 . 
     Although the engagement between the receptacles  66  and the connecting members  40  and the cut-out portion  74  of the lip  72  and bracket  70  generally provide enough structural support to hold the console  34  in place when it is installed, it is advantageous in most embodiments of the invention to provide some sort of additional locking mechanism, so as to provide additional securement and, optionally, to prevent the console  34  from being removed without a key. 
     As was described briefly above, in the illustrated embodiment, the horizontal portion  50  of the console  34  carries a locking system  54 . The locking system  54  is best seen in  FIG. 2  and in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , which are perspective views of the horizontal portion  50  as installed in the boat  10 , illustrating the locking system  54  in disengaged and engaged positions, respectively. In the views of  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the front, downwardly-extending edge of the horizontal portion  50  is shown partially in phantom lines so as to illustrate the structure and operation of the locking system  54 , which is normally partially hidden from view behind it. As shown in the figures, the rotating handle  56  is hingedly mounted so that it can be folded downward to rest generally flush with the surface of the horizontal portion  50  when not in use. Specifically, the handle  56  is carried within a receptacle  80  that is mounted within an appropriately sized opening  82  in the surface of the horizontal portion  50 . The receptacle  80  extends below the surface of the horizontal portion  50  and includes a conventional locking mechanism (not shown in the figures), which is coupled to the handle  56  and also to a rod  84  that extends downwardly from the receptacle  80 . The rod  84  is mounted for rotation about a generally vertical axis of rotation within the receptacle  80 , such that when the locking mechanism is actuated, the rod  84  rotates. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the end of the rod  84  is threaded, and secured to it by means of its threads is a generally horizontally extending tongue  86 . In the position shown in  FIG. 7 , the locking system  54  is disengaged. To engage the locking system  54 , one turns the handle  56  to rotate the rod  82  until the tongue  86  rests in the groove  88  provided in the side face of the receiving bracket  70 , as shown in the view of  FIG. 8 . The groove  88  acts as a receptacle for the tongue  86 , engaging it to secure the console  34 . Once the locking system  54  is engaged, the handle  56  can be folded down so that it once again rests within the receptacle  80 , generally flush with the surface of the horizontal portion  50 . 
     Therefore, as those of skill in the art will understand, the receiving bracket  70  provides two functions, both supporting the console  34  and providing a groove  88  that receives and engages the locking system  54  of the console  34  to secure the console  34  in place. However, in other embodiments, those two functions may be provided by separate structures and, furthermore, those separate structures need not be co-located; instead, they may be located anywhere. 
     While the invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, the embodiments are intended to be exemplary, rather than limiting. Modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims.