Patent Publication Number: US-2007096558-A1

Title: Enclosure track

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Removable covers, canopies, shelters and similar protective enclosures are commonly used for many purposes, not the least of which include protecting the interior spaces of vehicles and marine vessels from the weather. Such enclosures, which include covers and tops made of canvas or other heavy-duty material, are also used to protect the cabs of industrial equipment and exterior living spaces such as residential patios and outdoor restaurants. Examples of the use of such enclosures on vessels and vehicle cabs are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,121,703.  
      Such enclosures have, in the past, been secured to their bases or supporting surfaces by a variety of different means e.g. buttons, snaps, Velcro®, twist fasteners, lashing, etc. There have been some attempts to secure the lower regions of enclosures within channel members. So far, these attempts have met with limited success. For example,  FIG. 1  shows an existing channel with an outwardly extending flange connection. This arrangement is not adaptable to be connected to many types of surfaces and further, fails to provide a stable support. There is also increases in the cost of manufacturing this type of channel, especially since it requires the use of additional material. U.S. Pat. No. 4,903,629 discloses a boat slide channel assembly which is easily bendable and, in fact, is designed to deform substantially upon being secured to a surface. The configuration of this channel assembly and its deformable characteristics do not allow it to rigidly maintain enclosures in position, especially when such enclosures are subject to the elements of nature, like high wind conditions. The insubstantial configuration and construction of this type of channel also makes it very susceptible to failure due to breakage and long term exposure to the elements. It is, in large part, for these reasons that the assembly has not found any acceptance in the industry.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide an enclosure track which overcomes the disadvantages and limitations of prior enclosure track support assemblies.  
      It is an object of the present invention to provide an enclosure track which is high strength, rigid, and non-deformable, even after assembly onto a support surface.  
      It is a further object of the present invention to provide an enclosure track which readily receives and rigidly maintains a protective enclosure in position on a support surface.  
      It is another object of the present invention to provide an enclosure track which is of a configuration which permits its placement and use on surfaces of various radii and which attaches easily to these surfaces without bending or otherwise deforming.  
      It is still another object of the present invention to provide an enclosure track which has a contoured curvilinear bottom surface to allow mounting on windshields, railings, tubing, and other curvilinear surfaces.  
      It is another object of the present invention to provide an enclosure track which allows the lip of an enclosure to slide unimpeded and unobstructed through the track, permitting the smooth and easy insertion and removal of the enclosure from the track.  
      It is a further object of the present invention to provide an enclosure track which can support a variety of protective enclosures for marine, vehicle and shoreside use.  
      It is an object of the present invention to provide an enclosure track which can be used on marine vessels, land-based industrial equipment vehicles, and outdoor living spaces such as outdoor restaurants and residential patios.  
      It is another object of the present invention to provide an enclosure track which can withstand the elements of nature, is durable, and can withstand repeated uses without failure.  
      These and other objects are accomplished by the present invention, an enclosure track which comprises an elongated longitudinally extending unitary body made of high strength, non-deformable, rigid material. The track has an upper section with a longitudinally extending space and a lower section with a longitudinally extending space which is contiguous with the space of the upper section. The track has a bottom wall with a curvilinear lower surface adapted to be mounted on surfaces of any radius, to maintain the track in place. At all times, and especially when connected to the top surface of a bulkhead or other supporting surface, the track, being non-deformable, maintains its original shape. Thus, the track&#39;s high strength and non-deformable configuration and construction eliminates bending or flexing of the track and permits it to successfully maintain any type of protective enclosure rigidly and securely in place.  
      Novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention, itself, however, both as to its design, construction and use, together with the additional features and advantages thereof, are best understood upon review of the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a partial isometric view of prior art.  
       FIG. 2  is a partial isometric view showing the enclosure track of the present invention.  
       FIG. 3  is an end view of the enclosure track of the present invention.  
       FIG. 4  is a partial side view of the enclosure track of the present invention.  
       FIG. 5  is a top view of the enclosure track of the present invention.  
       FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the enclosure track of the present invention.  
       FIG. 7  is a partial isometric view of the enclosure track of the present invention mounted on a support bulkhead, with a section of an enclosure located within the track.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      Track  1  of the present invention comprises an elongated, longitudinally extending unitary body, preferably made of a high strength, non-deformable material, e.g. rigid PVC, hard plastic, or equivalent material. The rigid material from which the track is manufactured must, at all times, be able to maintain the shape of the track, even upon installation, as more fully described below.  
      Track  1  comprises upper section  2  having longitudinally extending space  4  partially surrounded by curvilinear interior surface  6 . Track  1  further comprises lower section  8  having longitudinally extending space  10  which is contiguous with longitudinally extending space  4  of upper section  2 . Side walls  11  and  12  of track  1  extend to form longitudinally extending slot  13  which opens into space  4 .  
      The lower region of track  1  consists of bottom wall  14  which has a top surface  16  and a curvilinear bottom surface  18 . Side walls  11  and  12  extend upwards from bottom surface  18  of bottom wall  14 , to slot  13 . Counter-sunk holes extend through bottom wall  14  and are configured to accept and seat a number of screws  22 .  
      Bottom surface  18  of track  1  is configured to be positioned on top surface  32  of an upstanding bulkhead or wall  30  of a boat cabin, industrial vehicle side wall, or a living space such as an outdoor restaurant or residential patios. Once placed on top surface  32  of bulkhead  30 , track  1  is secured to the bulkhead by means of a plurality of screws, represented in the accompanying drawings by screw  22 . When fully tightened, screws  22  are located solely within space  10 , through bottom wall  14  and into bulkhead  30 .  
      The non-deformable, rigid nature of track  1  ensures that it will always maintain its shape, even after screws  22  are tightened to attach track  1  to a surface, like top surface  32 . Specifically, side walls  11  and  12  remain in their original, pre-attachment configuration; and the distance between the upper regions of the walls, that distance forming slot  13 , also remains unchanged after attachment. The rigid, non-deformable configuration of track  1 , therefore, allows for a consistent, measured opening at slot  13 , and, significantly, this configuration provides a solid, non-deformable, unbendable support foundation for maintaining enclosure  40  and all large, substantial and heavy-weight enclosures in position on top surface  32  of bulkhead  30  or similar supporting bulkheads.  
      Enclosure  40 , which can be a vessel, vehicle or other enclosure, comprises lip  42 . The shape of lip  42  substantially conforms with interior surface  6  of space  4  of upper section  2 . Once track  1  is secured onto bulkhead  30 , lip  42  is slid completely through longitudinally extending space  4  of upper section  2 . When lip  42  is fully inserted into space  4  of upper section  2 , enclosure  40  is advantageously positioned and rigidly secured over and on bulkhead  30 , thus successfully enclosing the space of the boat cabin, vehicle, etc.  
      Since track  1  is secured to bulkhead  30  by means of screws  22  which are located solely within longitudinally extending space  10  of lower section  8 , lip  42  of enclosure  40  is able to slide unimpeded and unobstructed through space  4  of upper section  2  of track  1 , providing for smooth and easy insertion and removal of the enclosure from the track. In addition, ease of removal and insertion of enclosure  40  is also assisted by the high strength and rigid configuration of track  1 . Since track  1  never flexes, bends, or any manner deforms, sliding insertion and removal of lip  42  of enclosure  40  is accomplished most easily and smoothly.  
      Track  1  can be used on a variety of different bulkheads in which removable enclosures are contemplated. Such uses include, without limitation or restriction, marine enclosures for boat cabins, marine covers, canvas tops, industrial vehicle enclosures, and enclosures for outdoor living spaces such as restaurants and patios, etc. In fact, the location of placement and use of the track of the present invention is not to be considered restricted to the vehicles, vessels, or other locations discussed herein. It is contemplated that the track will be used with any structure where there is a need for an enclosure, cover, or similar protective shelter. In addition, the curvilinear nature bottom surface  18  of track  1  allows it to be mounted on virtually any radiused surface such as on windshields, railings, tubing, and the like.  
      Track  1  of a subject invention replaces the conventional flange style track assembly shown in  FIG. 1  and other prior art channel assemblies. Track  1  thus provides an easier, more efficient means of attachment to a bulkhead, using less space and providing a more attractive appearance. Track  1  also allows for unimpeded insertion and removal of enclosures, while requiring the use of less material in its manufacture. The rigid, high strength, non-deformable construction and configuration of track  1  provides a solid and immoveable foundational support for enclosures.  
      Certain novel features and components of this invention are disclosed in detail in order to make the invention clear in at least one form thereof. However, it is to be clearly understood that the invention as disclosed is not necessarily limited to the exact form and details as disclosed, since is apparent that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.