Abstract:
Accessories for boats, and in particular folding inflatable boats, are described. The accessories may be installed and removed from the boats rapidly and easily, hence not impeding folding of the boats for transport or storage.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/619,319, filed Jul. 14, 2003, having the same title. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates to accessories for boats and more particularly (although not exclusively) to accessories for inflatable boats and to systems and methods for installing and removing such accessories rapidly and easily.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Purchasers of boats sometimes customize the boats prior to use. Consequently, many boats currently are sold without accessories such as seats, steering mechanisms, and controls. Purchasers then outfit their boats as desired, often adding these accessories as well as, for example, storage compartments, fuel tanks, radios, and lights.  
         [0004]     Consoles frequently added to boats often incorporate remote steering mechanisms (i.e. steering wheels) and engine speed and gear controls. These consoles typically contain storage batteries for engine-starting purposes. The batteries may as well power radios, lights, and other electrical equipment.  
         [0005]     Consoles of this sort, together with seats, usually are bolted—or otherwise permanently attached—to the decks of their associated boats. Such permanent attachment is logical when the decks are rigid and adapted to receive bolts securely as, for example, when the boats are RIBs (rigid inflatable boats). Likewise, permanent attachment of outboard engines to transoms of RIBs is not disadvantageous, as these boats are not intended to be dismantled for transport or storage.  
         [0006]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,131,348 to Roy, hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference, illustrates an exemplary RIB having a console formed into its deck. Included as part of the console are a jockey seat and a block forming a piloting post, both of whose upper portions may be raised or removed to allow access to drive mechanisms underneath the console. Otherwise, however, the console is not intended to be removed; indeed, an advantage of incorporating the console into the deck is to increase the strength of the assembly, particularly when the RIB is piloted at high speeds at sea.  
         [0007]     By contrast, permanent attachment of various accessories to certain other inflatable boats is problematic. Folding inflatable boats, for example, are marketed as adapted to be dismantled, deflated, and folded (or rolled) for transport and storage, sometimes in compact bags. These boats often include removable deck sections and use air as their sole means of providing rigidity and buoyancy. Permanently attaching accessories such as consoles, seats, and engines to these boats would inhibit, if not completely thwart, their dismantling and folding.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The present invention accordingly provides boating accessories that may be installed and removed rapidly and easily. As a result, the accessories may be utilized advantageously in folding inflatable boats, as they need not be permanently connected thereto. These accessories, together with their installation and removal systems and methods, likewise may be used with other boats (including RIBs). As well some or all of the accessories, systems, and methods of the invention may be used in connection with vehicles other than boats.  
         [0009]     Certain embodiments of the present invention contemplate including plates, tracks, D-rings (or eyes), or other receptacles prepositioned and fitted onto a deck. The plates, rings, and receptacles will provide anchor points for accessories and be adapted to receive quick-release hooks or similar devices. When the accessories are installed, the hooks will be received by complementary mechanisms of the plates so as firmly to latch the accessories in position. By contrast, the quick-release action of the hooks permits rapid removal of the accessories when desired. If such rapidity is undesirable (e.g. to minimize possibility of theft of the removable accessories), the hooks may be fitted with a locking system.  
         [0010]     Various embodiments of the invention additionally may include a self-contained steering control console. Adapted for connection to an engine via appropriate electrical and mechanical cables, the console also may include a steering wheel and mechanism and incorporate engine gear and throttle levers and an instrument panel. As well, within the console may be included a starting battery. By fitting it with quick-release hooks (or similar devices), the console may be rapidly installed and removed from the deck.  
         [0011]     The invention further may include one or more seats likewise adapted for connection to and removal from the deck. In some embodiments the seats are molded and form part of a module also including storage space, a fuel tank, or both. Alternatively, other types of seats attachable to plates positioned in the deck may be used.  
         [0012]     Yet additionally, the invention may comprise a mechanism for mounting an outboard motor in a manner permitting its ready removal from the boat. A quick-release motor bracket intermediate the motor and transom would be acceptable for this purpose. If cables connect the engine to a remote steering device (such as a steering wheel on the console), they too either may be equipped with quick-release devices or, in some cases, simply allowed to remain in position.  
         [0013]     It thus is an optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide boats with removable accessories.  
         [0014]     It is also an optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide accessories for folding inflatable boats that may be rapidly and easily installed and removed.  
         [0015]     It is another optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide systems and methods for such rapid and facile installation of accessories.  
         [0016]     It is a further optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide consoles or other components that may be fitted to receptacles within decks of boats.  
         [0017]     Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant field with reference to the remaining text and the drawings of this application. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary inflatable boat having a deck consistent with the present invention.  
         [0019]     FIGS.  2 A-B are perspective views of an exemplary seat structure consistent with the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the boat of  FIG. 1  including a console and seat attached to the deck.  
         [0021]      FIGS. 4-5  are side elevational views of exemplary fastening mechanisms useful in connection with the present invention.  
         [0022]     FIGS.  6 A-B are views of an alternate fastening mechanism useful in connection with the present invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 7  is a depiction of an exemplary mechanism for mounting an outbound motor.  
         [0024]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of a deck of a boat illustrating a first exemplary support and fastening mechanism useful in connection with the present invention.  
         [0025]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the deck of  FIG. 8  illustrating a second exemplary support and fastening assembly useful in connection with the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0026]     Illustrated in  FIG. 1  is an exemplary boat  10 . Boat  10  may (but need not necessarily) be inflatable and comprise one or more buoyancy tubes  14 . Also depicted in  FIG. 1  is transom  18 , to which an outboard motor or other engine may be attached.  
         [0027]     Included as part of boat  10  may be deck  22 , which as shown in  FIG. 1  may be made of multiple sections  26 . Deck  22  may be removable, with sections  26  folding upon each other for compactness. With deck  22  (and transom  18 ) removed, tubes  14  may be deflated and boat  10  rolled, folded, or otherwise decreased in size for transport or storage. Deck  22  need not be removable, however, nor need it include foldable sections  26 .  
         [0028]     Formed in or on deck  22  are receptacles  30 . Such receptacles  30  may be included in plates positioned within deck  22  or as part of tracks either formed therein or positioned thereon. Alternatively, other types of receptacles may be employed. In particular, receptacles  30  may, if desired, comprise rings (preferably D-rings) bolted or otherwise attached to the plates or directly to deck  22 . Such rings, if present, further may be foldable so that rest flat (or almost so) against the plates or deck when not in use. Preferably, however, the presence of receptacles  30  does not impede either removal of deck  22  from boat  10  or folding of sections  26  upon each other (if the deck  22  is removable or has foldable sections  26 ).  
         [0029]     FIGS.  2 A-B show an exemplary structure  34  adapted for placement into one of more receptacles  30 . Depicted as a seating module, structure  34  may include seat  38  and container  42 . In some embodiments of the invention, seat  38  is molded and mounted onto container  42 . Those skilled in the art will, however, recognize that structure  34  may consist of components other than seat  38 . Likewise, although container  42  may provide storage space for liquids (such as engine fuel) or solid items, it need not do so, nor need it necessarily be present as part of structure  34 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 2A  details structure  34  fitted into receptacles  30  of plate  44  of deck  22 . Conventional quick-release hooks  46  and receivers may be employed to accomplish such fitting. Typically, although not necessarily, the quick-release hooks  46  ( FIG. 2B ) will be included on base  50  of structure  34 , while the receivers will be incorporated into receptacles  30 . If desired to latch structure  34  to deck  22  more permanently, a suitable locking mechanism also may be employed.  
         [0031]     Illustrated in  FIG. 3  is console  54  together with an alternative seat structure  58 . Both console  54  and structure  58  may be temporarily connected to deck  22 , as described above, using quick-release fasteners or other appropriate devices. Console  54  may include steering wheel  62  and, if desired, engine gear or throttle levers as well. Likewise, console  54  may include optional instrument panels, an engine starting mechanism, and a storage battery. Any necessary cables (whether electrical, mechanical, or otherwise) connecting console  54  to an outboard or other motor may themselves be adapted readily to be disconnected from either or both of console  54  and the motor. Consequently, merely by disconnecting the cables and releasing the fasteners, console  54  may be removed from boat  10 .  
         [0032]      FIGS. 4-5  show examples of quick-release mechanisms useful in connection with the invention. Such mechanisms are available from Southco, 210 North Brinton Lake Road, Concordville, Pa., although other mechanisms may be employed instead. In  FIG. 4 , mechanism  66  includes hook  70  designed to engage keeper  74  when handle  78  is rotated downward (toward keeper  74 ). Rotating handle  78  upward, by contrast, may release engagement of hook  70  and keeper  74 . Either hook  70  or keeper  74  typically would attach to structure  34  or  58 , with the other of hook  70  or keeper  74  being connected directly or indirectly to deck  22 .  
         [0033]     Illustrated in  FIG. 5  is an alternative mechanism  82  comprising lever  86  and rod  90 . Depressing lever  86  engages hook  94  (present at an end of rod  90 ) and keeper  98 . Raising lever  86  releases hook  94  from keeper  98 .  
         [0034]     FIGS.  6 A-B detail another alternative mechanism  100  for use in connection with the invention. Mechanism  100  may include one or more D-rings  200 , each connected to a corresponding plate  204 . In use, D-rings  200  receive hooks or other portions of equipment (or connectors) to be attached to deck  22 . When not in use, by contrast, D-rings  200  may rest flat against their corresponding plates  204  to minimize their projection above deck  22 . Although the D-ring depicted in  FIG. 6A  is shaped similar to the letter “D,” it may have some other shape instead.  
         [0035]     Preferred versions of mechanism  100  may include bottom plates  208 , sleeves  212 , and bolts  216  (or similar fasteners). Each of bolts  216 , adapted to engage both a plate  204  and an associated bottom plate  208 , may function to secure the position of a D-ring  200  relative to deck  22 . To avoid bolts  216  damaging interior  220  of deck  22 , sleeves  212  spanning the interior depth of deck  22  may be used to receive bolts  216  and isolate them from interior  220 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 7  depicts an outboard motor M being mounted to transom  18 . Shown in  FIG. 7  is an exemplary mounting assembly  102  permitting ready removal of motor M when necessary or desired. In the illustrated embodiment, assembly  102  comprises plate  106  and receptacle  110 , one element connected to motor M and the other to transom  18 . Preferably, plate  106  is attached to motor M, and receptacle  110  is attached to transom  18 . Similarly preferred is that receptacle  110  include rails, into which edges of plate  106  are fitted, and a terminal stop or other feature designed to prevent further downward movement of plate  106  when the plate  106  is appropriately positioned within receptacle  110 . Assembly  102  may also include, if desired, an indicator informing (audibly, visibly, or otherwise) a user that plate  106  is correctly and completely inserted into receptacle  110 .  
         [0037]     When assembly  102  is in use, motor M is mounted to transom  18  by sliding plate  106  downward into receptacle  110 . Although gravitational forces assist in maintaining plate  106  within receptacle  110 , a suitable clamping or latching mechanism may be used as well to secure the position of motor M. Hence, to remove motor M, one need merely disengage the clamping or latching mechanism and lift plate  106  from receptacle  110 , providing a quick release of motor M without need for fasteners (e.g. bolts, screws, etc.) to connect the motor to transom  18 .  
         [0038]     Shown, respectively, in  FIGS. 8-9  are alternative mechanisms  300 A and  300 B for use in receiving accessories via quick-release fasteners or otherwise. Such mechanisms  300 A and  300 B are particularly useful when vertically-extending openings  304  exist in deck  22 . Openings  304  may be formed generally as depicted in  FIGS. 8-9  so as to retain ability of deck  22  to hold inflation gas (if deck  22  is designed to be inflatable).  
         [0039]     Comprising mechanism  300 A are any or all of support  308 , plate  312 , fasteners  316 , and receptacle  320 . Although shown in the form of a D-ring, receptacle  320  may be any appropriate receiving device. If a D-ring or similar, receptacle  320  preferably rests flat (or nearly so) against support  308 , below (or no higher than slightly above) the level of deck  22 , when not in use.  
         [0040]     Plate  312  and fasteners  316  connect receptacle  320  to support  308 . As depicted in  FIG. 8 , fasteners  316  comprise one or more screws  324  and corresponding nuts  328 . Fasteners other than screws and nuts may be utilized instead, however.  
         [0041]     Support  308  may have a complex shape as illustrated in cross-section in  FIG. 8 . Generally, support  308  may resemble an inverted dinner plate or bowl, with a generally horizontal upper surface  332  penetrated by fasteners  316  and abutting plate  312 . Support  308  likewise may include generally horizontal flange  336 . In at least some versions of mechanism  300 A, flange  336  is glued to fabric flange  340  on underside  344  of, or otherwise attached to, deck  22  so as to be firmly affixed thereto.  
         [0042]     Wall  348  connects upper surface  332  and flange  336 . Preferably, the shape of wall  348  corresponds at least generally with the shape of its associated opening  304 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , for example, wall  348  includes a cylindrical section  352  (i.e. with substantially circular cross-section) and a conical section  356  (i.e. with flaring cross-section approaching flange  336 ). Wall  348  need not be so shaped, however, but rather may be shaped in any suitable manner.  
         [0043]     Mechanism  300 B, by contrast, may be removable from deck  22  if necessary or desired. Unlike support  308  of  FIG. 8 , support  360  of  FIG. 9  may be configured to resemble more closely a wheel rim, with generally horizontal surface  364  more centrally located vertically. However, like upper surface  332  of mechanism  300 A, surface  264  typically is penetrated by fasteners  316  and abuts plate  312 .  
         [0044]     Surface  264  effectively divides wall  368  of support  360  into upper portion  372  and lower portion  376 , either or both of which preferably are conically shaped. Lower portion  376  may include flange  380  designed to overlap part of underside  344 , while upper portion  372  may be shaped so as to prevent mechanism  300 B from sliding downward through opening  304 . Because of its configuration, support  360  is installable only when deck  22  is partly or wholly deflated (when deck  22  is inflatable). Both support  360  and support  308  may be made of metal (e.g. aluminum), plastic, or other suitable material.  
         [0045]     By utilizing accessories, methods, and systems such as those disclosed herein, boat  10  may be outfitted or customized with desirable accessories. If boat  10  is designed to be deflated and folded or rolled for transport of storage, the removable nature of the accessories permits removal of deck  22  and facilitates compacting boat  10 . Thus, although the foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing exemplary embodiments and certain benefits of the present invention, modifications and adaptations to the illustrated and described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.