Abstract:
A cover system for a pontoon boat having an expanding frame. The cover system includes framework for receiving a flexible material thereon. The framework has a plurality of U shaped supports that have the ability to traverse on a track apparatus for the purpose of quick and easy placement and removal. The cover system also includes a stowing compartment for the specific purpose of storage of framework and cover components therein.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. US 60/797,350, filed 2006 May 26 by the present inventor. 

   FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
   Not Applicable 
   SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
   Not Applicable 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a covering system for a pontoon boat, and, more specifically, to a manually operated, expanding frame system which allows for quick and easy placement and removal of the boat cover. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   It is well known to provide a boat with a cover to prevent water and other debris from collecting inside the boat when the boat is not in use. In many instances, boats utilize covers designed to be affixed to the boat via a plurality of snaps. Typically, a plurality of male snap members are affixed to the outboard side of the boat, while a plurality of female snap members are affixed to the boat cover. The snap members are spaced about the entire perimeter of the cover to effect affixation thereof. For example, pontoon boats typically include a plurality of male snap members affixed to the outboard side of the rails forming the perimeter fencing of the pontoon boat. 
   Covers of this type (i.e., covers affixed by snaps) are relatively difficult to place in operative position. Many times the snap members are difficult to join together as well as to release. Additionally, the boat cover may shrink based upon climatic conditions. In these situations, the cover must be stretched for positioning about the boat since the snap members have a fixed spacing about the boat and the cover. Additionally, if the cover shrinks when affixed to the boat, removal will be made more difficult since the shrinking of the cover will exert forces on the snap connectors, which forces will generally be normal to the direction in which the snap connectors release. 
   Furthermore, it becomes necessary that the removed cover material is manually organized and placed into a storage compartment. Typically, the storage compartment is located beneath a seat cushion within the interior of the boat. Many times the storage compartment is smaller in size than the cover material. The cover material then has to be forcibly deposited inside. The same inconvenience is present while removing the cover from the storage compartment. In addition, reinstallation of the cover onto the boat is difficult and extremely time consuming. 
   With the above disadvantages of the snap cover in mind, various alternative systems have been proposed. These systems include those utilizing cooperative pairs of hooks. In these embodiments, one of a pair of cooperative hooks is affixed to the boat cover, while the second of the pair of cooperative hooks is affixed to an outboard facing portion of the boat. The hooks are oppositely oriented so that, in use, each hook “hooks” the other such that each hook end is positioned internally in the body of the opposing hook. The vertical orientation of the hooks of this connecting mechanism necessitate tension in the cover to maintain engagement of the hooks. In these fastener arrangements, a portion of the boat cover extends past the hook affixed thereto and provides a gripping location for detachment of the cooperating hooks. To disengage the cooperating hooks and thereby disengage this cover affixing mechanism, the cover must be pulled downwardly so that the hook ends are displaced, one relative to the other. Pulling the cover downwardly to disengage this cover affixing mechanism is particularly difficult, e.g., when the cover has shrunk due to climatic conditions and/or rainwater has pooled on the cover. In both of these situations (i.e., cover shrinkage, or pooling of rainwater), a force acts on the boat cover opposite to the direction of displacement required to disengage the cooperating hooks. 
   What is needed in the art is a boat covering system which allows for quick and easy placement and removal of a boat cover and which does not suffer from the disadvantages of the prior art outlined above. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is the intent of the present invention to address the aforementioned concerns. The present invention provides an improved covering system wherein it is desired to provide a boat covering system which allows for quick and easy placement and removal of the boat cover and does not require stretching of the boat cover to remove same. The current cover system comprises an expanding frame system attachable to both sides of the boat, utilizing a track apparatus fastened horizontally to both sides of the boats deck. The frame system includes a plurality of U shaped support members constructed of square, round, or rectangular tubes designed to span the width of the boat, with arched formations at the top of each. The support members are interconnected by the fabric cover material. The U shaped supports are inserted into pockets constructed into the fabric material equally spaced about; creating an expandable connection between U shaped supports. The first U shaped support is manually advanced by means of the track apparatus causing extension of the fabric between it and the following U shaped support. When the extension of the fabric is complete the following U shaped support advances. Each connected section follows systematically until full extension of framework and cover material is achieved. The U shaped support members maintain a horizontal position in relation to the track apparatus, with exception to the rear U shaped support. The rear U shaped support and the U shaped support preceding it have a pivoting connection at their base to effect a downwardly pivoting motion by the rear U shaped support to complete extension of covering system, and an upward pivoting motion by the rear U shaped support to begin retraction of covering system. The upward pivoting motion is begun utilizing a pull cord assembly comprising: a cable attachment from the rear U shaped support to a pulley system mounted on the interior of the preceding U shaped support. The upward pivoting commences by exerting a generally downward pressure to the handle of the pull cord assembly thereby inciting an upward pivoting motion to the rear U shaped support. The U shaped support members with exception to rear U shaped support have directional movement devices attached at the base, thereby connecting the frame system to the track apparatus. The directional movement device comprising a C shaped bearing block that provides a linear moveable connection on the track apparatus to effect the linear motion required to advance the U shaped support members, the bearing block also consists of a solid tubular elongate member permanently fixed to the top, situated vertically, functioning as a connection unit joining the directional movement device to the U shaped support. The U shaped support constructed of hollow tubing is mounted onto the solid tubular elongate member. The rear U shaped support is equipped with a retainer mechanism fixed in a perpendicular direction at its base. As the rear U shaped support pivots downward to complete expansion the retainer mechanism engages the end of the track apparatus causing entire covering system to be set in place. The rear U shaped support extends a distance beyond the rear of the deck of the boat to cover any outboard motor. To retract the covering system, the process is reversed. A generally downward pressure is applied to the handle of the pull cord assembly disengaging the retainer mechanisms, allowing the rear U shaped support to pivot upward until it is aligned adjacently to the preceding U shaped support. The frame system then retracts forward utilizing the track apparatus. When full retraction is achieved the frame and all components thereof are compressed together at the front of the track apparatus. The weight of the expanding frame and attached fabric causes the front end of the track apparatus, which is connected to a weight balance control mechanism, to pivot forward and deposit entire cover system into a U shaped stowing compartment mounted around the front of the boat. The U shaped stowing compartment has a hinged lid which then closes to fully conceal the contents inside. 
   An advantage of the present invention is the ability to provide a boat covering system which allows for quick and easy application and removal. 
   Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a boat covering system which does not require the boat cover to be stretched due to the removal of all snapping mechanisms. 
   Finally, the most attractive advantage of the present invention is the reduced time of placement and removal. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manor of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a pontoon boat, showing “U” shaped cover supports in the fully erect position, with stowing compartment closed. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a pontoon boat, showing “U” shaped cover supports grouped together descending into an opened stowing compartment. 
       FIG. 3  is a detailed side view of the rear most pair of “U” shaped support members, showing pull cord assembly, pivoting means, retainer clip engaged, bearing block on track apparatus, and rear “U” shaped support member in the horizontal position. 
       FIG. 4  is a detailed side view of the rear most pair of “U” shaped support members, showing retainer clip disengaged, and the rear “U” shaped support member in the vertical position. 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of track and pivot track aligned along their axes, showing pivot spring and series of “U” shaped support members traversing track. 
       FIG. 6  is a detail of the track, pivot spring, and front pivot track with “U” shaped support members grouped together in the horizontal position and stowed away. 
       FIG. 7  is a front view of a “U” shaped support member with the pull cord handle in the retainer and also shown in an alternative position. 
       FIG. 8  is a three dimensional, detailed view of the bearing block on the track, revealing interior bearings resulting on the track, exploded track spacer and end of “U” shaped support member. 
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates one preferred embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manor. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Looking at  FIG. 1  there is shown, a typical pontoon boat  25 . A pontoon boat includes a flat floor surface often referred to as a deck  30 . 
   A cover system is provided in the present invention that includes a frame system  60  adaptable for receiving a flexible or fabric material (not shown) thereon and attached to the frame system  60  by conventional methods. The frame system  60  includes a plurality of “U” shaped tubular elongate members  100  spaced at equal distances, spanning the width of the boat Each “U” shaped tubular elongate member  100  has an arched formation at the top designed to raise the central portion of the boat cover so that precipitation will tend to be directed away from the center of the boat  25 . Connected at the base on each side of the “U” shaped tubular elongate members  100  is a “C” shaped bearing block  120 . The “C” shaped bearing block  120  has a solid tubular elongate member  121  extending from its top. This solid tubular elongate member  121  is inserted into the “U” shaped tubular elongate member  100  at its base. This connection between the “U” shaped tubular elongate member  100  and the “C” shaped bearing block  120  allows the frame system to traverse by means of the track apparatus  105 . The track apparatus  105  is connected to the side of the boat deck  30  by means of a solid elongate spacer  144 . The track apparatus  105  and the solid elongate spacer  144  span almost the length of the boat deck  30 , on each side situated parallel to each other. The track apparatus  105 , allows the frame system  60  to extend and retract. As shown in  FIG. 1  the frame system  60  is illustrated in the extended position. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 2 , the “U” shaped tubular elongate members  100  are grouped together, descending into the stowing compartment  150 . Notice the stowing compartment is in the opened position. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 . In  FIG. 3  a portion of the track apparatus  105  is illustrated showing the rear “U” shaped tubular elongate member  100   a  in the horizontal position. The rear “U” shaped tubular elongate member  100   a  has a pivoting connection to the preceding “U” shaped tubular elongate member  100   b by means of the pivot hinge  130 . The rear “U” shaped tubular elongate member  100   a  is connected to the retainer clip  125 . The retainer clip  125  engages the end of the track apparatus  105  to complete extension of the frame system  60 . 
     FIG. 4  shows the same portion of the track apparatus  105  illustrating the rear “U” shaped tubular elongate member  100   a  in the vertical position with the retainer clip disengaged. 
     FIG. 5  illustrates the “U” shaped tubular elongate members  100  traversing the track apparatus  105  to the front pivot track  145 , by means of the bearing blocks  120 . 
     FIG. 6  illustrates the “U” shaped tubular elongate members grouped together at the front of the front pivot track  145  in the horizontal or “pivoted” position. The pivot spring housing  140  causes the front pivot track  145  to traverse, when a generally downward force is applied to the “U” shaped tubular elongate members  100  they descend into the stowing compartment  150 . The counter balance spring  135 , located in the interior of the of the pivot spring housing  140 , maintains the frame system  60  in a weightless condition while pivoting occurs. 
   Looking at  FIG. 7  there is the pull cord handle  115  connected to the pull cord  110 . The pull cords  110  traverse from the pull cord handle  115  into the interior of the “U” shaped tubular elongate member  100   b . The pull cords are redirected from a vertical position to a horizontal position by a set of bearings  112  inside of the “U” shaped tubular elongate member  100   b . The pull cords  110  traverse down each side of the “U” shaped tubular elongate member  100   b  until reaching exit bearings  112  which redirects the pull cords  110  to exit the interior of the “U” shaped tubular elongate member  100   b . The pull cords  110  are affixed to the rear “U” shaped tubular elongate member  100   a . When a generally downward pressure is applied to the pull cord handle  115  it creates tension on the pull cords  110  causing the rear “U” shaped tubular elongate member  100   a  to pivot from a horizontal position to a vertical position until adjacent to the preceding “U” shaped tubular elongate member  100   b . Also, disengaging the retainer clip  125 , placing the frame system  60  into the retractable position. When the frame system  60  is in the retractable position, the pull cord handle is stowed away in the pull cord handle retainer  113 . 
     FIG. 8  illustrates bearing block  120  traversing the track apparatus  105  with spacer  144  present. While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variation, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principals. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.