Abstract:
A frame system suitable for use on a boat and capable of supporting one or more tarpaulins to protect the boat from the elements, comprising one or more sets of couplers and hinged angle elements adapted to be used with off-the-shelf connecting members, such as PVC pipes, such that when assembled the frame system provides a canopy frame arching over the top side of the boat, with the lateral sides of the frame system sloping upward and meeting over the longitudinal midline of the boat.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates generally to frame systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to marine accessories such as a frame system for use on boats capable of supporting one or more tarpaulins to protect the boat when not in use. The frame system is also applicable to non-marine uses. 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     Boats in general, and sailboats in particular, are typically removed from the water at the end of the boating season and stored on dry land. Many boats are stored outside, and thus are exposed to the weather. To prevent excess environmental exposure, boats may be covered by one or more tarpaulins, or they may be shrink-wrapped with a polyvinyl or other suitable material. Both methods have their deficiencies. Because the top sides of boats tend to have an irregular configuration extending upward from their decks, with various rails, stanchions, cockpits, seating areas, and in the case of sailboats, masts, spars, rigging, and the like, placing tarpaulins thereupon is difficult, with coverage often incomplete because of the irregularities. While shrink-wrapping boats tends to overcome some of the issues arising with the irregular top sides of boats, it creates its own problems. First, shrink-wrapping is substantially more expensive than using tarpaulins, and removal of a shrink-wrap cover to begin the boating season tends to destroy the cover, thus necessitating a new, expensive cover at the end of each season. Additionally, shrink-wrap covers limit the amount of airflow under the cover, which could increase the chance for the growth of mold and mildew. A shrink-wrap cover may also limit access to the boat under the cover. The use of tarpaulins is also compromised by the irregular topsides of the boat. In most instances, both in the use of tarpaulins and shrink-wrap, in an effort to compensate for this irregularity an ad hoc frame is constructed of lumber or other materials which are found at hand for this purpose. In most instances these frames do not provide a sufficiently uniform surface to adequately compensate for the irregular structure of the boat&#39;s topsides. Additionally, most of these frames are not reusable and may used for only a single season. 
     There is thus demonstrated the need for a frame system that may be reused for multiple seasons and that overcomes the difficulties associated with the irregularities of the upper decks of boats, while allowing for the use of relatively inexpensive, reusable, and breathable tarpaulins. 
     It is thus an object of the present invention to present a frame system capable of supporting one or more tarpaulins or shrink-wrap. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to present a frame system that can be easily assembled and disassembled. 
     It is yet a further object of the present invention to present a frame system that is easily customizable in size and configuration. 
     It is yet a further object of the present invention to present a frame system that is comprised of multiple standard components. 
     It is yet a further object of the present invention to present a frame system that is sturdy. 
     It is yet a further object of the present invention to present a frame system that is inexpensive to manufacture. 
     It is yet a further object of the present invention to present a frame system that is simple to use. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to present a frame system to be placed onto the deck of a boat. 
     It is yet a further object of the present invention to present a frame system to be placed onto the deck of a boat that is easily customizable to the size and configuration of the boat. 
     It is yet a further object of the present invention to present a frame system to be placed onto the deck of a boat that does not mar the deck surface. 
     Other objects of the present invention will be readily apparent from the description that follows. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention discloses a frame system suitable for use on a marine vessel and capable of supporting one or more tarpaulins or shrink-wrap to protect the marine vessel from the elements. The frame system is also useful for non-marine applications, such as for supporting a canopy or a tent. The frame system comprises several standard components which can be coupled with readily available, inexpensive off-the-shelf connecting members. When assembled, the frame system provides a canopy frame arching over the top side of the boat, with lateral sides of the frame system sloping upward and meeting over the boat&#39;s longitudinal midline. 
     In its most basic form, the frame system comprises a five-arm coupler with one or more hinged connection elements. These hinged connection elements may be used at the front or rear of the five-arm coupler, and/or at the sides of the five-arm coupler, and/or at a distance from the five-arm coupler with rigid structural members interposed in between. Adding additional five-arm couplers and/or hinged connection elements gives the frame system greater flexibility of use. The five-arm couplers and the hinged connection elements are suitably adapted to be connected to each other by use of standard PVC pipes or other long, rigid, pole-like connecting members, such as wooden dowels or metal rods or pipes. In the preferred embodiments, each of the five-arm couplers and hinged connection elements has connection elements that are configured to internally receive the ends of standard PVC pipes or other connecting members (e.g., female ends adapted to receive the male ends of the connecting members). The lengths of the connecting members and the number of five-arm couplers and hinged connection elements dictate the ultimate configuration of the frame system. Longer lengths of lateral connecting members inserted into the five-arm couplers and hinged connection elements allow for a frame system to fit over a wider vessel; additional five-arm couplers and hinged connection elements may be added in series, front to rear, to accommodate longer vessels. By adjusting the angles of the hinged connection elements the frame can be configured either more or less steeply, or can be adjusted to span over obstructions or other irregular structures. 
     In alternate embodiments, the five-arm couplers and hinged connection elements project connection stubs which are adapted to fit into the end openings of PVC pipes (e.g., male ends adapted to fit into the female ends of the connecting members). In yet other embodiments, the five-arm couplers and hinged connection elements may comprise a mix of male and female ends, as described above. In yet other embodiments, the connection elements of the five-arm couplers and hinged connection elements may be threaded, and accommodate threaded connecting members. The threads may be internal to the connection elements, to accommodate externally threaded connecting members, or the threads may be external to the connection elements, to accommodate internally threaded connecting members, or a mix of internally and externally threaded connecting members. Threaded adapters may be used with standard non-threaded connecting members. 
     In all embodiments, the bottom ends of the base members of the frame system may be finished with protective caps to prevent marring of the deck or bright work. 
     It is to be understood that the foregoing and following description of the invention is intended to be illustrative and exemplary rather than restrictive of the invention as claimed. These and other aspects, advantages, and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after review of the entire specification, accompanying figures, and claims incorporated herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective side view of the five-arm coupler of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1B  is a top view of the five-arm coupler depicted in  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 1C  is a rear view of the five-arm coupler depicted in  FIG. 1A . They optional key element is shown in ghost lines. 
         FIG. 2A  is an exploded side view of the hinge connection element of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2B  is a side view of an assembled hinge connection element depicted in  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of a five-arm coupler with a hinge connection element attached to the left fixed connection element of the five-arm coupler and a hinge connection element attached to the right fixed connection element of the five-arm coupler. 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective side view of one embodiment of a connecting member that may be used with the present invention. 
         FIG. 4B  is a perspective side view of an alternative embodiment of a connecting member that may be used with the present invention, whereby the connecting member has outside threads which may be inserted into the threaded end of a fixed connection element of a five-arm coupler or hinge connection element. 
         FIG. 4C  is a perspective side view of another alternative embodiment of a connecting member that may be used with the present invention, whereby the connecting member has inside threads which may be placed over the threaded end of a fixed connection element of a five-arm coupler or hinge connection element. 
         FIG. 4D  is a perspective side view of yet another alternative embodiment of a connecting member that may be used with the present invention, whereby a threaded adapter is used with the connecting member such that, once the adapter is affixed to the connecting member, the outside threads of the adapter may be inserted into the threaded end of a fixed connection element of a five-arm coupler or hinge connection element. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the of the connection interface between a hinge connection element and a connecting member, whereby the configuration having a fixed connection element with inside threads and a connecting member with outside threads is shown. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the of the connection interface between a hinge connection element and a connecting member, whereby the configuration having a fixed connection element with outside threads and a connecting member with inside threads is shown. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic view of the of the frame system of the present invention having one five-arm coupler. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic view of the of the frame system of the present invention having two five-arm couplers. 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic view of the of the frame system of the present invention having three five-arm couplers. 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic view of the of the frame system of the present invention having two five-arm couplers, placed onto the deck of a boat, with a tarpaulin placed over the frame system (elements behind the tarpaulin are showed grayed out). 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The five-arm coupler  110  of the frame system  1  comprises five fixed connection elements, with four fixed connection elements being substantially coplanar and oriented substantially horizontally, forming a cross, and the fifth fixed connection element extending downward and oriented substantially perpendicular to the other fixed connection elements. See  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B, and  1 C. The fixed connection elements are rigid and fixedly attached to each other such that their relative orientations to each other remain constant. Alternatively, the five-arm coupler  110  may be formed of a single piece of material, such as injection molded plastic. Any suitable material may be used for the five-arm coupler  110 . 
     The front fixed connection element  160  of the five-arm coupler  110  is oriented substantially collinear with the rear fixed connection element  170 . Together, the front and rear fixed connection elements  160 , 170  form a substantially cylindrical cross member  194  having openings at opposite ends. The cross member  194  is oriented substantially horizontally. The left fixed connection element  140  of the five-arm coupler  110  is located at a midsection  196  of the cross member  194  formed by the front and rear fixed connection elements  160 , 170  and is oriented substantially perpendicular to the cross member  194 . The right fixed connection element  150  is located opposite the cross member  194  from the left fixed connection element  140  and is oriented substantially perpendicular to the cross member  194 . The front fixed connection element  160 , the rear fixed connection element  170 , the left fixed connection element  140 , and the right fixed connection element  150  are substantially coplanar with each other. The vertical fixed connection element  180  is located at the midsection  196  of the cross member  194  between the left and right fixed connection elements  140 , 150  and oriented substantially perpendicular to the plane of the other four connection members  140 , 150 , 160 , 170 . Each of the fixed connection elements  140 , 150 , 160 , 170 , 180  of the five-arm coupler  110  is substantially elongate and substantially cylindrical. In the preferred embodiment each fixed connection element has an outer end  102  and a hollow interior  104 , an opening  106  through the outer end  102  allowing access into the interior  104 , and a substantially uniform inside diameter  108 . In the preferred configuration, each fixed connection element has substantially the same inside diameter  108  as each other fixed connection element. 
     The five-arm coupler  110  is adapted to be used with one or more hinged connection elements  600 , which may be a left connection hinge element  610 , a right connection hinge element  620 , a front connection hinge element  630 , and a rear connection hinge element  640 . Each of the hinged connection elements  600  has a proximate end  602  and a distal end  604  and a hinge mechanism  606  interposed between the proximate and distal ends  602 , 604  such that the proximate and distal ends  602 ,  604  may be varyingly angled in relation to each other. That is, each hinged connection element may be positioned such that it forms any desired angle. The hinge mechanism  606  is adapted to allow the proximate and distal ends  602 , 604  to be moved in relation to each other, and then to be placed in fixed relation to each other once the desired angle is obtained. 
     In one embodiment, each of the hinged connection elements  600  comprises a first body  272  and a second body  274 . The first body  272  has a substantially cylindrical shaft  282  and a substantially planar flange  284  extending from one end of the shaft  282 . The other (distal) end  292  of the shaft  282  has an opening  296 . The flange  284  is oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft  282 , and has a central aperture  286  passing through it. The second body  274  is sized and configured substantially the same as the first body  272 . See  FIG. 2A . The flange  284  of the first body  272  is placed against the flange  284  of the second body  274  such that their respective central apertures  286  are aligned. Then a fastener  262  is placed through both central apertures  286 , securing the first and second bodies  272 , 274  to each other. See  FIG. 2B . The fastener  262  may be any suitable device, such as a nut and bolt combination. The combination of the flanges  284  and the fastener  262  constitute the hinge mechanism  606  of the hinged connection elements  600 . The facing surfaces of the flanges  284  of the first and second bodies  272 , 274  may be textured to provide increased frictional adherence. Alternately, they may be formed with corresponding radial grooves such that the flanges  284  set against each other in defined orientations. In this configuration, the grooves may be calibrated to provide fixed angular increments, such as every five degrees, so that the angle between the proximate end  602  and the distal end  604  of the hinged connection element  600  can be set precisely. Other configurations, such as pins and holes corresponding to fixed angular orientations, may also be used. 
     The hinged connection elements  600  may be used with the five-arm coupler  110  as follows: the proximate end  602  of the front connection hinge element  630  may be connected with the outer end  102  of the front fixed connection element  160  of the five-arm coupler  110 , the proximate end  602  of the rear connection hinge element  640  may be connected with the outer end  102  of the rear fixed connection element  170  of the five-arm coupler  110 , the proximate end  602  of the left connection hinge element  610  may be connected with the outer end  102  of the left fixed connection element  140  of the five-arm coupler  110 , and the proximate end  602  of the right connection hinge element  620  may be connected with the outer end  102  of the right fixed connection element  150  of the five-arm coupler  110 . See  FIG. 3 . However, it is not required that each of these hinged connection elements  600  be connected to the five-arm coupler  110 , and in practice it is contemplated that fewer than four, and possibly no, hinged connection elements  600  will be connected to the five-arm coupler  110 . The connection between the fixed connection elements and the hinged connection elements  600  may be friction fitted, whereby the proximate end  602  of each hinged connection elements  600  is fitted over the outer end  102  of the corresponding fixed connection element, or alternatively the proximate end  602  of each hinged connection element  600  is fitted into the outer end  102  of the corresponding fixed connection element. In one variation of this configuration, the fixed connection element has a raised projection—a key  109 —extending into its hollow interior  104  and the hinged connection element  600  has a pair of slots  298  formed into the shafts  282  of its first and second bodies  272 , 274 . Each of the slots  298  align with the key  109  to ensure that the hinged connection element  600  is oriented orthogonally to the fixed connection element when inserted therein. The key  109  is located back in the interior of the connection element, distant from the opening. In another embodiment, the proximate end  602  of each hinged connection element  600  is threaded onto the outer end  102  of the corresponding fixed connection element, or alternatively the proximate end  602  of each hinged connection element  600  is threaded into the outer end  102  of the corresponding fixed connection element. In yet another embodiment, adhesives may be used to secure the hinged connection elements  600  to the fixed connection elements, or mechanical fasteners, or any other suitable means. 
     The five-arm coupler  110  together with the hinged connection elements  600  is further adapted to be used with connecting members  300 , each of which is an elongate, substantially rigid rod or pole. See  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B,  4 C, and  4 D. Each connecting member  300  has an end  302  that is adapted to be attached to the distal end  604  of a hinged connection element  600 . Connecting members  300  are preferably lengths of PVC pipe. PVC pipe can be readily obtained from common suppliers and cut to the exact length needed to create a custom fitted frame system  1 . However, other materials may also be appropriate for connecting members  300 , such as wooden dowels or metal rods or pipes. 
     The distal end  604  of the left connection hinge element  610  may be connected with the first end  302  of an elongate left connecting member  312 . The distal end  604  of the right connection hinge element  620  may be connected with the first end  302  of an elongate right connecting member  314 . The distal end  604  of the front connection hinge element  630  may be connected with the first end  302  of an elongate front connecting member  340 . The distal end  604  of the rear connection hinge element  640  may be connected with the first end  302  of an elongate rear connecting member  350 . However, it is not required that each of these hinged connection elements  600  be used to connect the five-arm coupler  110  to the elongate connecting members  300 , and in practice it is contemplated that fewer than four, and possibly no, hinged connection elements  600  will be used to connect the five-arm coupler  110  to the elongate connecting members  300 . The outer end  102  of the vertical fixed connection element  180  is in connection with the first end  254  of an elongate vertical connecting member  316 . So configured, the elongate front and rear connecting members  340 , 350  may be positioned at any angle relative to each other by setting the angles of the front connection hinge element  630  and the rear connection hinge element  640  as desired. Similarly, the elongate left and right connecting members  312 , 314  may be positioned at any angle relative to each other by setting the angles of the left connection hinge element  610  and the right connection hinge element  620  as desired. The elongate vertical connecting member  316 , however, is always oriented perpendicular to the plane of the left, right, front, and rear fixed connection elements  140 , 150 , 160 , 170  of the five-arm coupler  100 . 
     The connections between the elongate connecting members  312 , 314 , 340 , 350  and the hinged connection elements  600  are similar to the connections between the hinged connection elements  600  and the fixed connection elements  140 , 150 , 160 , 170  of the five-arm coupler  110 . That is, an end  302  of a connecting member  300  may be inserted into the interior  294  of the shaft  282  of the hinged connection element  600 , and secured thereto. Alternatively, an end  302  of a connecting member  300  may be inserted over the distal end  292  of the shaft  282  of the hinged connection element  600 , and secured thereto. The connecting member  300  may be secured to the hinged connection element  600  by mechanical fasteners, such as screws, bolts, clips, or the like, or by the use of adhesives, or simply by friction fittings. Where the frame system  1  is intended to be disassembled when not in use, mechanical fasteners or friction fittings are used. Alternatively, a combination of mechanical fasteners, adhesives, and/or friction fittings may be used. 
     In another alternative embodiment the ends of the connecting members  300  are threaded, as are the distal ends  292  of the shafts  282  of the hinged connection elements  600 . In one configuration the inside of each hinged connection element  600  has threads  192 , and the ends  302 , 304  of the connecting members  300  have matching outer threads  308 . See  FIGS. 4B and 5 . The connecting members  300  are attached to the hinged connection elements  600  by threading the ends  302 , 304  of the connecting members  300  into the openings  296  of the shafts  282  of the hinged connection elements  600 . In another configuration the outside of the distal end  604  of each hinged connection element  600  is threaded, and the ends  302 , 304  of the connecting members  300  have matching inner threads  308 . See  FIGS. 4C and 6 . The connecting members  300  are attached to the hinged connection elements  600  by threading the ends  302 , 304  of the connecting members  300  onto the distal ends  292  of the shafts  282  of the hinged connection elements  600 . In either configuration, an adapter  390  may be used to create the threads  392  on the ends  302 , 304  of the connecting members  300 . See  FIG. 4D . The adapter  390  may be permanently or temporarily affixed to the end  302  of the connecting member  300  using any of the means discussed herein. The placement of the threads  192  on the hinged connection elements  600  and threads  392  on the ends  302 , 304  of the connecting members  300  may be mixed between internal and external threads, as desired. In all of these configurations, the threaded hinged connection elements  600  and connecting members  300  allow frame system  1  to be easily assembled and disassembled. 
     The frame system  1  may also include additional hinged connection elements  600  designated a first left angle hinge element  210 , a first right angle hinge element  214 , a front angle hinge element  240 , and a rear angle hinge element  244 . See  FIGS. 7 ,  8 , and  9 . Each of the angle hinge elements of the frame system  1  is sized and configured identically to the other hinged connection elements  600 . That is, all hinged connection elements  600 , including angle hinge elements, may be used interchangeably. The use of angle hinge elements allows further flexibility in configuring the frame system  1 . 
     The angle hinge elements  210 , 214 , 240 , 244  of the frame system  1  are connected to the five-arm coupler  110  as follows: an elongate left connecting member  312  is interposed between the left fixed connection element  140  and the first left angle hinge element  210  and attached at one end to the left fixed connection element  140  and at the other end to the proximate end  252  of the first left angle hinge element  210 ; an elongate right connecting member  314  is interposed between the right fixed connection element  150  and the first right angle hinge element  214  and attached at one end to the right fixed connection element  150  and at the other end to the proximate end  252  of the first right angle hinge element  214 ; an elongate front connecting member  340  is interposed between the front fixed connection element  160  and the front angle hinge element  240  and attached at one end to the front fixed connection element  160  and at the other end to the proximate end  252  of the front angle hinge element  240 ; and an elongate rear connecting member  350  is interposed between the rear fixed connection element  170  and the rear angle hinge element  244  and attached at one end to the rear fixed connection element  170  and at the other end to the proximate end  252  of the rear angle hinge element  244 . In addition, an elongate vertical connecting member  316  is attached to the vertical fixed connection element  180  of the five-arm coupler  110 . See  FIG. 7 . Alternatively, one or more of the hinged connection elements  600  may be interposed between the connecting members  300  and the fixed connection elements  140 , 150 , 160 , 170  of the five-arm coupler  110 . 
     Each angle hinge element further may be connected to a base member. A base member is essentially the same item as a connecting member  300 , having a first (proximate) end  402  and a second (distal) end  404 , cut down to an appropriate length. The base members are connected to the angle hinge elements as follows: a left base member  412  is attached to the distal end  254  of the first left angle hinge element  210 ; a right base member  414  is attached to the distal end  254  of the first right angle hinge element  214 ; a front base member  440  is attached to the distal end  254  of the front angle hinge element  240 ; and a rear base member  450  is attached to the distal end  254  of the rear angle hinge element  244 . The base members are attached to the angle hinge elements in the same manner as the connecting members  300  are attached to the angle hinge elements. So configured, with couplers  110 , hinged connection elements  600 , and connecting members  300 , the frame system  1  may be placed on the deck  12  of a boat  10  and one or more tarpaulins  20  may be placed over the frame system  1 . See  FIG. 10 . 
     The frame system  1  may further comprise a set of end caps to be placed onto the distal ends  404  of the base members. These include a left end cap  510 , a right end cap  520 , a center end cap  550 , a front end cap  530 , and a rear end cap  540 . See  FIG. 8 . The end caps are adapted to provide a protective interface between the base members of the frame system  1  and the portions of the boat  10  onto which the frame system  1  is placed. In one embodiment the end caps have a cup-like configuration into which the distal ends  404  of the base members are placed. In other embodiments the end caps fit into the distal ends  404  of the base members. In such embodiments the end cap has an inverted mushroom configuration whereby the stem (male fitting) is inserted into an opening at the distal end (female fitting)  404  of the base member. In these embodiments the end caps are secured to the distal ends  404  of the base members with mechanical fasteners, adhesives, or friction fittings, as described above. In yet another embodiment the end caps may be threaded, as described above, and are attached to the base members by being threaded onto the threaded distal ends  404  of the base members. In yet another embodiment whereby the end caps have an inverted mushroom configuration, as described above, the stem may have external threads and may be threaded into the internally threaded distal ends  404  of the base members. A mix of internally threaded and externally threaded end caps is also contemplated. 
     In the preferred embodiments the end caps have a bottom side located opposite the attachment point between the base member and the end cap. The bottom side of the end cap has attached to it a cushioning substance to protect the surface of the boat  10 . The cushioning substance may be made of rubber, felt, or any other malleable material. In one configuration the cushioning substance may be a cushioned pad covering substantially all of the bottom side of the end cap. In another embodiment it may be a standard crutch tip, fitted over a projection extending from the bottom side of the end cap. In yet another embodiment the end cap may comprise a cushioned circumferential ring. In yet another embodiment there may be a plurality of small cushioned pads attached to the bottom side of the end cap. There may further be a central aperture passing through the bottom side of the end cap so that the base member to which the end cap is fitted can be placed over a stanchion or other items projecting upwards from the boat  10 . 
     In alternative embodiments where the frame system  1  is intended to be used as a ground-based canopy or tent, rather than on a boat  10 , the set of end caps that is placed onto the distal ends  404  of the base members may be fitted with one or more downward oriented spikes on their bottom sides. These spikes are intended to be inserted into the ground and serve to secure the base members to the ground. 
     Where a larger frame system  1  is required, the frame system  1  may further comprise a second five-arm coupler  120  and a second pair of left and right angle hinge elements  220 , 224 . See  FIG. 8 . The second five-arm coupler  120  may be configured substantially the same as the first five-arm coupler  110  as described above, in all of its variations. Similarly, the second left angle hinge element  220  may be configured substantially the same as the first left angle hinge element  210  as described above, and the second right angle hinge element  224  may be configured substantially the same as the first right angle hinge element  214  as described above. These additional components will have associated with them an elongate second left connecting member  322 , an elongate second right connecting member  324 , and an elongate second vertical connecting member  326 , as well as a second left base member  422  and a second right base member  424 . To connect the second five-arm coupler  120  to the first five-arm coupler  110 , an elongate intermediate connecting member  360 , configured substantially the same as the other connecting members  300  as described above, is interposed between the two five-arm couplers  110 , 120  and attached at one end to the rear fixed connection element  170  of the first five-arm coupler  110  and attached at its other end to the front fixed connection element  160  of the second five-arm coupler  120 . The elongate rear connecting member  350  may be connected to the rear connection hinge element  640  of the second five-arm coupler  120  or may be connected directly to the rear fixed connection element  170  of the second five-arm coupler  120 . 
     Where even larger frame systems  1  are required, one or more additional five-arm couplers  130  may be added in series after the first and second five-arm couplers  110 , 120 , each additional five-arm coupler configured as described above, together with associated left and right angle hinge elements  230 , 234 , left, right, and vertical fixed connection elements  332 , 334 , 336 , and left and right base members  432 , 434 . See  FIG. 9 . To connect the additional five-arm couplers  130  to the first and second five-arm couplers  110 , 120 , additional elongate intermediate connecting members  360 , 370 , configured substantially the same as the other connecting members  300  as described above, are interposed between the five-arm couplers  110 , 120 , 130  and attached thereto. Thus, for example, a completed frame system  1  may have four five-arm couplers, each with an associated left and right angle element, joined together by three intermediate connecting members, with the front-most (first) five-arm coupler  110  having the elongate front connecting member  340  attached to its front fixed connection element  160  and the rear-most (fourth) five-arm coupler having the elongate rear connecting member  350  attached to its rear fixed connection element. Where multiple five-arm couplers are used, the associated elongate connecting members and base members may be of different length. This allows for customization of the frame system  1 . For example, if the boat  10  has a closed forward deck  12  but an open rear cockpit, the left and right base members  412 , 414  and elongate vertical connecting member  316  associated with the forward five-arm coupler  110  may be of shorter length than the left and right base members  422 , 424  and elongate vertical connecting member  326  associated with the rearward five-arm coupler  120 . Similarly, where there is structure located on one side of the boat  10  but not on the other, the associated elongate left and right connecting and base members may be of different lengths. 
     In yet another embodiment, the frame system  1  further comprises a plurality of stickers  900 . See  FIG. 5 . The stickers  900  are suitable for being affixed to the ends of the fixed connection elements of the five-arm couplers, the ends of the left and right connection hinge elements, the ends of the front and rear connection hinge elements, the ends of the left and right angle hinge elements, the ends of the front and rear angle hinge elements, and the ends of the connecting members. Pairs of stickers  900  are visually complementary, such that each of a complementary pair can be affixed to the ends of connecting components. Thus, after disassembly, the frame system  1  can be reassembled by aligning the complementary pairs of stickers  900 , to help keep track of which components fit together with which others. The complementary identifications of the pairs of stickers  900  can be by color, or shape, or text, or a combination of same. For example, the stickers  900  to be placed on the port (left) side of the frame system  1  might be green, the stickers  900  to be placed on the starboard (right) side of the frame system  1  might be red, and the stickers  900  to be placed on the center components might be yellow, with each pair numbered “1-1”, “2-2”, etc., for each color scheme. Other complementary identifications are also contemplated. 
     Modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed embodiments of the present invention without departing from the subject or spirit of the invention as defined in the following claims.