Patent Publication Number: US-2019185111-A1

Title: Watercraft deck cover system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/607,477 filed on Dec. 19, 2017. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a watercraft deck cover system. Watercraft must be protected from outdoor elements in order to maintain both their functionality and their aesthetic value. In order to prevent outdoor elements, such as rain, snow or tidal waters from entering the deck of a watercraft causing potential structural damage or promoting the growth of mold or mildew. 
     Currently available watercraft covers typically supply a cover which is stretched across the deck of the watercraft to prevent dirt and debris from being blown onto the deck. However, these covers create a problem wherein moisture, such as rainwater, may cause pooling upon the cover. When water pools on the cover, water may seep through onto the deck, or the cover may even rip, releasing a large amount of water into the watercraft deck. 
     Thus, there is a need in the known art for an improved watercraft deck cover system that is both effective and easy to use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of watercraft covers now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a watercraft deck cover system wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when covering the deck of a watercraft. 
     The present system comprises a cover member that is defined by a perimeter therearound. The cover member is configured to cover a top deck of a watercraft. A plurality of fasteners is disposed along the perimeter of the cover member. The plurality of fasteners is configured to attach to the watercraft such as to prevent dirt or debris from entering the watercraft. A connector is centrally disposed on a top side of the cover member. Furthermore, the system comprises a frame. The frame provides an overhead arm member, wherein the overhead arm member is configured to extend over a watercraft. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide a cover member defining a plurality of corners, wherein each corner defines at least one aperture. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a cover member having an elastic band disposed around the perimeter thereof, such that additional waterproof security is provided to the deck of a watercraft. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a plurality of elastic cords as the plurality of fasteners, such that the elastic cords can secure to a plurality of watercraft cleats. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout. 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the watercraft deck cover system. 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the watercraft deck cover system. 
         FIG. 3  shows an in use view of an embodiment of the watercraft deck cover system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the XXX. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the watercraft deck cover system. The watercraft deck cover system  10  comprises a cover member  11 . The cover member  11  is dimensioned to cover a deck of a watercraft  12  and extend over the hull thereby covering structures situated on the deck. The cover member  11  is defined by a perimeter. In one embodiment, the cover member  11  is made of a waterproof material, such that the cover member  11  will prevent water from penetrating the cover member  11  and being displaced onto the deck of the watercraft  12 . 
     A plurality of fasteners  13  are disposed along the perimeter of the cover member  11 . The plurality of fasteners  13  are configured to secure the cover member  11  to the watercraft  12 , such that the deck of the watercraft  12 , will be protected from water. In the shown embodiment, each fastener of the plurality of fasteners  13  comprises a pair of mating ties. The mating ties extend from opposing sides of the cover member  11 , such that each extends past the perimeter and mates with the corresponding mating tie while securing a portion of the watercraft to cooperatively secure the cover member  11  thereover. 
     A connector  14  is disposed on a top side of the cover member  11 . The connector  14  is configured to receive a cord  15  therethrough. In one embodiment, the connector  14  is centrally disposed on a top side of the cover member  11 , such as to provide more efficient prevention of water pooling on the cover member when the connector  14  is elevated. The connector is securely attached to the cover member  11 , such that stress exerted on the connector  14  will not separate the connector  14  from the cover member. In another embodiment, the connector  14  comprises a support frame therein. 
     A frame  16  is placed in the proximity of the watercraft  12  such that an overhead arm  17  is disposed above the watercraft. In one embodiment, the frame  16  is defined by a curvature such that the frame  16  and overhead arm  17  are congruent on the arch of the curvature. In one embodiment, the frame  16  is disposed on a dock  21 , wherein the dock  21  is configured to have the watercraft  12  anchored therein. The overhead arm  17  forms a cantilever with the frame  16  and a free end extends over a space adjacent to the dock  21 , such that the free end of the overhead arm is positioned over a mooring or otherwise secured. 
     The cord  15  is disposed along the frame  16  and disposed from the overhead arm  17 . In one embodiment, the cord  15  comprises a hook on an active end thereof. The hook is configured to receive the connector  14  therein, such that the connector  14  can be elevated relative to the deck of the watercraft  12 . In another embodiment, an anchor  18  is disposed on an external side of the frame  16 , such that a passive end of the cord  15  can be tied upon the anchor  18 . When the cord  15  is tied upon the anchor  18 , the position of the active end of the cord  16  is secured in a desired position. The desired height of the suspended cover member  11  is adjusted by altering a position or a length of the cord  15 , such that the cover member  11  overlays the deck of the watercraft  12 . The plurality of fasteners  13  are individually secured to the watercraft, while the cover member  11  remains suspended thereover. Adjustments to the position of the cover member  11  are controlled via the cord  15 . Additionally, the cord  15  raises the central region of the cover member  11 , thereby directing fluid to flow off the cover member  11  in the event of precipitation, for example. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the watercraft deck cover system. In another embodiment, the cover member  11  comprises an elastic band  22  disposed around the perimeter thereof. The elastic band  22  is configured to provide more tension around the perimeter of the watercraft  12  such as to prevent displaced water from penetrating the perimeter of the cover member  11  and splashing upon the deck of the watercraft  12 . 
     In the shown embodiment, the cover member  11  defines a plurality of corners  19 , wherein each corner comprises an aperture  20  therethrough. The corners  19  are configured to correspond with the angled portions of a gunwale of the watercraft  12 . In the shown embodiment, the apertures  20  are positioned inboard of the perimeter so as to allow for access to cleats of the watercraft  12 . The apertures are configured to receive ropes therethrough such that the cover member  11  can be secured to the watercraft  12 . 
     In yet another embodiment, the plurality of fasteners disposed on the perimeter of the cover member  11  comprises a plurality of elastic cords  23 . The plurality of elastic cords  23  is configured to secure the cover member  11  to a plurality of cleats of a watercraft  12 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown an in use view of an embodiment of the watercraft deck cover system. In use, the cover member  11  is placed over the deck of the watercraft  12 . The plurality of fasteners  13  is secured to the watercraft  12 . The cord  15  is disposed along the frame  16  and disposed from the overhead arm  17 , such that the active end of the cord  15  is suspended over the watercraft  12 . 
     In the shown embodiment, the frame extends from a dock  21 . The active end of the cord  15  is secured to the connector  14 . The passive end of the cord  15  is pulled, elevating the connector  14  and the cover member  11 . The passive end of the cord  15  is secured to the frame  16 , such that the position of the active end of the cord  15  is preserved thereby. 
     It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.