Abstract:
The present invention is a rub rail assembly for mounting on a surface of a vessel, the assembly having a coextruded rigid portion and flexible portions with grooves for receiving an insert.

Description:
INDEX TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional Application Ser. No. 12/486,277, filed on Jun. 17, 2009, entitled RUB RAIL WITH INTEGRAL FLEXIBLE AND RIGID PORTIONS FOR SHOCK ABSORBING AND ANTI-FLARING which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 61/073,049, filed Jun. 17, 2008, entitled RUB RAIL WITH INTEGRAL FLEXIBLE AND RIGID PORTIONS FOR SHOCK ABSORBING AND ANTI-FLARING; the prior applications are herewith incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND AND RELATED ART 
       [0002]    The present invention pertains to a rub rail for attaching to a deck and/or hull of a boat. The rub rail of the present invention provides the unique combination of having rigid and flexible portions in a single extruded rub rail. The rub rail is constructed and arranged to receive a removable insert that protects the rub rail. 
         [0003]    In a preferred embodiment, a rub rail assembly for mounting on a surface of a vessel, the assembly comprising:
       a. an extruded base having a rigid portion and a flexible portion;   b. a pair of longitudinal grooves on said base; and   c. an insert fastened to said base in said longitudinal grooves.       
 
         [0007]    The rub rail longitudinal grooves extend substantially the length of the assembly. 
         [0008]    The rub rail assembly has a rigid portion that is contiguous with said flexible portion by way of coextrusion. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, the rigid portion is a rigid vinyl and the flexible portion is a flexible vinyl. However, the rub rail may be formed of any suitable materials that allow for formation of a contiguous coextruded rub rail having rigid and flexible portions as described herein. 
         [0010]    The rub rail insert has a first end and a second end with a body comprising the distance between the two ends. The end portions of the insert are placed within the longitudinal grooves of the rub rail base. The ends of the insert contact the base at any of the flexible portion, the rigid portion, or combinations thereof. 
         [0011]    The insert positioned in said pair of longitudinal grooves may contact a flexible portion of the base in at least one point. 
         [0012]    Additionally, the base is constructed and arranged such that the pair of longitudinal grooves prevent flaring of said insert when said insert is placed in said longitudinal grooves. The insert is attached to the base in the grooves by any acceptable fastening. Fastening is by screws, clips, brackets, friction fit, combinations thereof or other fastening methods as are known. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements. In the drawings: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a cross sectional view of the rub rail according to the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is cross sectional view of the rub rail according to the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0016]    In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure the understanding of this description. 
         [0017]    Rub rail  11  includes a rigid portion  12  and a flexible portion  13 . Optionally, there may be a first flexible tip  14  and/or a second flexible tip  15 . Rub rail  11  has a first groove cavity  17  and second groove cavity  18  integrally formed therein which are constructed and arranged to receive the longitudinal edges of replaceable insert  16  therein. Each of first cavity  17  and second cavity  18  form the longitudinal grooves in the rub rail assembly. Insert  16  is preferably formed of stainless steel or alternatively, any metal, combinations of metals, or other hard material to protect rub rail  11 . Insert  16  may also be formed as a curved hollow back insert. 
         [0018]    In an environment of use, one or more rub rails of the present invention are positioned and secured to a desired vessel. 
         [0019]    Rub rail  11  may be made of any appropriate material that may include but would not be limited to, vinyls, plastics, composites, combinations thereof, and the like. In a preferred embodiment, the rigid portion is formed of a rigid vinyl compound and the flexible portion is formed of a flexible vinyl compound. 
         [0020]    In a preferred embodiment, rub rail  11  is coextruded with both flexible portion  13  and rigid portion  14  formed as a single extrudate. The coextrusion produces a rub rail  11  in which flexible portion  13  and rigid portion  14  are integrally formed and dependent on one another. Flexible portion  13  is formed of flexible vinyl and rigid portion  14  is formed of rigid vinyl. 
         [0021]    The flexile portion  13  imparts a shock absorbing character on rub rail  11  that also assists in preventing flaring and distortion of rub rail insert  16 . The anti-flaring characteristic of rub rail insert  16  when attached to a boat, usually by screws or other mechanical attachment fasteners ensures there is minimal shape distortion of rub rail  11  after repeated use. Insert  16  can be color matched to a boat as desired. 
         [0022]    While the invention has been described in its preferred form or embodiment with some degree of particularity, it is understood that this description has been given only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction, fabrication, and use, including the combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.