Patent Publication Number: US-6988461-B1

Title: Telescoping boat tower apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Not applicable 
   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not applicable 
   INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
   Not applicable 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates generally to boat tops, and particularly to a vertically telescopic boat tower which may be lowered sufficiently to negotiate the boat beneath low bridges and other low hanging obstructions which might otherwise preclude boat movement there beneath. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   Smaller boats and particularly those characterized as being open center console-type boats will typically include a shade and weather top such as a Bimini top or T-top which is attached to deck or center console over the center console. This top structure increases the overall height of the boat thus creating a potential clearance problem which might prevent the boat from traveling beneath low lying overhead trees, wires or low bridges. 
   A number of prior art devices are taught which at least partially address this issue by temporarily reducing the height clearance of the boat equipped with such top structure as follows:
         U.S. Pat. No. 6,666,163 to Pastor, et al.   U.S. Pat. No. 6,584,926 to Schmitt, et al.   U.S. Pat. No. 6,349,666 to Hastings   U.S. Pat. No. 6,550,414 to Correll, et al.   U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,613 to Larson       

   The &#39;163 patent to Pastor, et al. teaches an adjustable boat top that can be lowered to permit the boat to travel under bridges and other obstructions. A T-top apparatus with built-in seat for boats is taught by Schmitt, et al. in the &#39;926 patent and Hastings discloses an articulated boat top assembly in U.S. Pat. No. 6,349,666. 
   Correll, et al. discloses a boat accessory rack in which the supports are adjustable in length in the &#39;414 patent and Larson discloses a detachable tee-top for boat center consoles in U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,613. 
   In addition to sun and weather tops as above described attachable to these small center-console boats, some are also equipped with what are referred to as a “boat tower” or “tuna” or “fishing tower” which provide an elevated station for piloting the boat at a pilot height substantially above that achievable when standing on the deck of the boat. These boat towers are particularly popular because of the greatly extended visibility to horizon when in a standing position atop the standing platform positioned above the center console, which platform also serves as the sun and weather shade when operating the boat at the center console thereof. 
   However, these boat towers with a second, elevated helm station usually associated therewith which allows the operation of the boat from either the lower center console station or from the boat tower control station elevated thereabove, even more drastically increase the height clearance requirement of such equipped boats. It is therefore almost a requirement that these boat tower structures be somehow reduced in height so that the lower bridges and overhanging waterway structure may be negotiated thereunder. The most popular means for accomplishing the temporary reduction of clearance height of these boat towers is simply to provide a pivotal arrangement whereby the entire tower be pivotable forwardly into a downwardly stored position to allow a boat to negotiate low bridge clearances and passageway beneath low hanging structure or trees. 
   The present invention provides an improved alternative to the above by providing a vertically telescopically collapsible boat tower which, by the utilization of pressurized fluid, preferably pressurized air, facilitates the downward telescopic movement of the upper tower assembly into a temporary position which is substantially lowered to facilitate low overhead clearance passageway. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention is directed to a telescoping boat tower apparatus attachable atop a deck structure of a boat. The apparatus includes lower and upper frame assemblies each including spaced upright tubular supports, the lower frame assembly supports attachable at a lower end thereof to the deck. The tubular supports of the upper assembly are connected at an upper end to a standing platform positioned above a console of the boat. The upper frame assembly includes spaced upright elongated second tubular supports which are connected at an upper end thereof to a body support rail and held in telescoping coaxial alignment and registry with corresponding first tubular members whereby the upper frame assembly is slidably movable vertically with respect to the lower frame assembly. An elongated sealed interior chamber defined between each pair of corresponding first and second tubular supports is connected to a source of pressurized fluid introducible into each chamber whereby the upper frame assembly is vertically movable with respect to the lower frame assembly. 
   It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a convenient means for temporarily reducing the height clearance of a center console-type boat equipped with the elevated boat tower apparatus. 
   Still another object of this invention is to provide a telescoping boat tower and a second station control associated therewith for a center console-type boat, which is conveniently reducible in overall height clearance for negotiating beneath lower clearance bridges and overhanging tree structures. 
   Yet another object of this invention is to utilize a pressure fluid actuated mechanism for the lowering and raising of a vertically telescoping boat tower apparatus with upper station boat control features which facilitates reducing the height clearance of the boat tower when traveling beneath low clearance bridges and the like. 
   In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the invention connected atop a deck of a convention center console-type boat. 
       FIG. 2  is a side elevation partial section view of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is an enlarged partial section view of a portion of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4  is a view similar to  FIG. 3  depicting a roller centering mechanism and a guide member. 
       FIG. 5  is a view similar to  FIG. 3  showing an alternate embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a section view showing a preferred self-height locking mechanism of the invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a view similar to  FIG. 5  showing yet another alternative embodiment of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , one embodiment of the invention is there shown generally at numeral  10  and in the form of a telescoping boat tower apparatus attachable atop a deck structure D of a center console-type boat. The apparatus  10  includes a lower frame assembly shown generally at numeral  12 , and an upper frame assembly  14  which is telescopically movable up and down in the direction of arrow A with respect to the lower frame assembly  12  as best seen in  FIG. 2 . 
   The lower frame assembly  12  includes a plurality of four spaced upright first tubular supports shown generally at  16  (preferably 2″ diameter schedule 40 aluminum pipe) which are attached to the deck structure D by attaching collars  18 . The first tubular supports  16  are secured in spaced parallel, generally upright orientation as shown to a rigid standing platform  20  formed of tubular frame of rigid panel material or woven fabric structure. Additional bracing structure between the and each of the upright first tubular supports  16  is typically added but has been eliminated for clarity in the drawings. 
   The upper frame assembly  14  includes a plurality of four spaced upright elongated second tubular supports shown typically at  22  (preferably 1.5″ diameter schedule 40 aluminum pipe) each of which are connected by weldment at the upper end portions thereof to a body support rail  24 . Typically, the upper frame assembly  14  further includes an upper helm including a throttle gearshift control mechanism  30  and a steering mechanism  28 , the control transmitting cables therefor housed within a flexible tubular conduit  32  extending down to the center console shown typically at letter C. Note that the center console C will also include a lower helm (not shown for clarity). 
   Each of the second tubular supports  22  are aligned parallel one to another and coaxial with the corresponding first tubular supports  16  to form pairs  16 / 22  such that the upper frame assembly  14  will move up and down in the direction of arrow A smoothly and without substantial binding between the first and second tubular supports  16  and  22 . 
   As best seen in  FIG. 3 , the upper end of each of the second tubular supports is sealed from substantial fluid leakage by an O-ring seal  52  held in position on a sealing plug  50  which is in turn supported by an axial shaft  48  attached to a corresponding segment of the body support rail shown typically at  24 . 
   The first and second tubular supports  16  and  22  preferably have a respective length of 80″ and 74″ and are overlapping such that movement upwardly in the direction of arrow A will maintain an overlapping sufficient engagement therebetween (e.g. about 36″) as best seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , so as to maintain strength and stability therebetween. 
   An elongated inner tubular member  36  (1″ dia.) is positioned within one and preferably two of the second tubular members  22  and extends upwardly from and receives vertical support abutted against the deck D upwardly to in proximity to the upper end of each of the first tubular members  16 . Attached to the upper end of this inner tubular member  36  is a sealing member  44  which includes an O-ring seal  46  sealingly engaged against the interior wall surface of the second tubular support  22 . 
   Positioned within and extending substantially coextensively with the inner tubular member  36  is a fluid conduit  38  which is connected at a lower end thereof to a fluid pump  34  positioned within the center console C as seen in  FIG. 2 . Again, the preferred fluid driving mechanism is air; however, fresh or seawater may be utilized in conjunction with a suitable pump arrangement as an alternative power means to accomplish the telescoping features of the present invention. 
   The upper end of each of the fluid conduits  38  is connected to an exit port  40  of the sealing member  44  so that pressurized fluid discharges into a sealed chamber  42  in the direction of arrow B. This sealed chamber  42  is preferably defined within the second tubular member  22  between the sealing members  44  and  50 . Thus, by introducing pressurized fluid into this sealed chamber  42  in the direction of arrow B, the entire upper frame assembly  14  is moved upwardly to the in-use position shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  in solid line. To lower the height of the upper frame assembly  14 , the pressurized fluid is released by pump  34  allowing the weight of gravity to allow the upper frame assembly  14  to move downwardly into the position shown in phantom in  FIG. 2 . 
   By this preferred arrangement, a relatively small sealed chamber  42  is more rapidly fillable with compressed fluid, preferably air to facilitate the raising and lowering of the upper frame assembly  14  while the weight-bearing function of the inner tubular member  36  distributes the entire weight of the upper frame assembly  14  directly to the deck during periods when the latching mechanism (described herebelow) is disengaged during the telescopic movement. 
   Note that, because of the large lifting force produced within each of the sealed chambers, only one or two of the chambers needs to be pressurized although pressurization of all four chambers will avoid binding and insure uniform lifting of each of the second tubes  22 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4 , to help insure smooth non-binding telescopic movement of the upper frame assembly  14  with respect to the lower frame assembly  12 , maintaining a centered position of each of the second tubular supports  22  within each of the corresponding first tubular supports  16 ′ is preferred. To accomplish this, two alternative means are shown in  FIG. 4 , the first being a plastic alignment cap or guide  72  which is threadably engaged onto male threads  74  formed on the upper end of each of the first tubular support members  16 ′. A central aperture  76  formed into the centering cap  72  is provided so as to maintain a centered optimal clearance arrangement between the tubular supports  22  and  16 ′ as shown. 
   Alternately, a centering roller  64  mounted for rotation on a moveable plate  60  is positioned within a longitudinal slot  66  formed into the side wall of each of the first tubular members  16 ′. The support plate  60  is held in position by an outer securement plate  62  and is made pivotable by a threaded adjusting screw  70  threadably engaged as shown within the side margin of the standing platform  20 ′. By this arrangement, suitable adjustment of the adjusting member  20  causes the adjusting roller  64  to exert a centering force at  68  between the tubular support members  16 ′ and  22  to facilitate optimal frictionless telescopic movement therebetween. Moreover, for aesthetics, such towers may lean rearwardly, in which case, the features in  FIG. 4  become more essential to relieve any binding. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 5 , an alternate embodiment of one aspect of the invention is there shown which includes modified lower tubular members  16 ″ which are structured and connected to the deck D as previously described. Each of the second tubular supports  22 ′ are structured substantially as previously described and connected to the body support rail  24  except as described herebelow. In this embodiment of the invention, the sealed fluid chamber  80  extends longitudinally of the interior of the first tubular support  16 ″ from the lower sealing member  82  which includes an O-ring seal  84  acting upon and sealing against the inner surface of each of the corresponding first tubular members  16 ″ to the sealing member  50  at upper end of the second tubular support  22 ′ which is sealed as previously described. 
   To seal and help reduce friction and improved alignment between the overlapping telescoping support members  16 ′ and  22 ′, sealing O-rings at  88  and  90  are provided and positioned within inner and outer grooves formed into and immediately adjacent the ends of the tubular supports  16 ″ and  22 ′ as shown. Thus, the sealed chamber  80 , being somewhat substantially longer in size, requires additional compressed air to activate the up and down telescopic movement of the upper frame assembly as a trade-off to reduced system complexity and cost by the elimination of the inner tubular member  36  previously described in  FIGS. 1 to 3 . 
   Referring lastly to  FIG. 6 , a preferred mechanism for locking the upward in-use position of the upper frame assembly  16  with respect to the lower frame assembly  12  is there shown. This locking mechanism is in the form of a spring-loaded locking pin  92  held for axial movement in bracket  94  are which interengages between mating apertures  102  and  104  formed into each corresponding pairs of first and second supports  16 ′ and  22 ′. From the temporarily lowered position of the upper frame assembly  14 , each of the second tubular supports  22 ′ move upwardly in the direction of the arrow. The distal end  100  of the spring loaded locking pin  92  is maintained biasingly pressed by spring  96  against cotter pin  98  and against the outer surface of the second tubular supports  22 ′ until the locking aperture  104  comes into alignment and registry therewith at which time the locking pin  92  automatically snaps into engagement into aperture  104 . Thereafter, the height alignment is thus maintained holding the upper frame assembly  14  in the upper in-use position. 
   An alternate and preferred alignment guide  106 , machined of plastic material such as Nylon, DELRIN or other suitable plastic material of relatively low frictional characteristics is shown threadably engaged at threads  108  into a mating female thread formed into the lower end of each of the second support members  16 ′. The center alignment aperture  110  slidably engages over the outer surface of the previously described inner tubular member  36  to maintain a uniform annular gap  112  with respect to the inner surface of each of the second tubular supports  16 ′. Flange  114  is closely aligned against the inner surface of the first tubular member  16 ′ so as to center both the second tubular member  22 ′ and the inner tubular member  36  to maintain the uniform coaxially aligned relationship shown in this  FIG. 6 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 7 , still another alternate embodiment of one aspect of the invention is there shown and includes all of the corresponding similarly numbered elements previously described except with respect to the size and placement of the sealed fluid chamber  124 . This chamber  124  is formed between the lower sealing member  82  and its O-ring seal  84  acting upon and sealing against the inner surface of the first tubular member  16  and the sealing member  120  secured at the lower end of the second tubular support  22 . The sealing member  120  also includes an O-ring seal  122  which is sealably engageable against the inner surface of the first tubular member  16 . By this arrangement, the chamber  124  is quite small and will thus respond quickly to pressurized fluid being introduced there into by one of the means described hereinabove. 
   While the instant invention has been shown and described herein in what are conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is therefore not to be limited to the details disclosed herein, but is to be afforded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent apparatus and articles.