Patent Publication Number: US-6659035-B2

Title: Boat cover

Description:
PRIOR APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority under 35 USC §119(e) to U.S. Ser. No. 60/304,097, filed Jul. 11, 2001. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of cover systems for aquatic craft. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Covering a boat when not in use reduces the amount of dirt that gathers in the boat and also protects the interior of the boat from the elements, for example, sun, rain and wind. In addition, when a boat is towed, placing a cover thereon improves wind resistance of the boat, thereby improving gas mileage. It is of note that the cover also allows the storage of equipment and other articles within the covered boat. 
     However, the boat covers taught by the prior art are typically either cumbersome and/or unwieldy to use or install. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,809,929 teaches a custom-made plexiglass cover which is composed of four parts. In order to mount this cover, however, holes must be drilled around the boat&#39;s gunwale. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,706,753 and 5,396,861 both teach systems for fastening a cover to a boat, but do not teach specific boat covers for use therewith. 
     Clearly, an improved boat cover is needed which is easy to use, relatively inexpensive and can be fitted onto the boat without exposing the user to potential injury. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a boat cover for use with a boat, said boat having a bow, a stern and sides, said boat cover comprising: 
     a bow portion fitted over the bow of the boat; 
     a stern portion fitted over the stern of the boat; and 
     zipper means for connecting the bow portion and the stern portion. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of the boat cover. 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the boat cover having an alternative connector arrangement. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As will be appreciated by one knowledgeable in the art, the size, shape, dimensions and style of boats varies greatly; however, as discussed below, the invention is not limited to a specific style of boat and the figures are for illustrative purposes only. 
     Described herein is a two-piece boat cover arranged, as described below, so that a boat or other aquatic craft can be covered while the individual is within the craft, thereby reducing risk of injury or accident. 
     Referring to the drawings, a boat  1  generally comprises a hull  3 , a bow  4 , a stern  6 , sides  8 , stayput fasteners  10 , at least one socket  12  for mounting a seat  14  having a stem  16  thereon and a floor  18 . 
     A boat cover  2  comprises a bow portion  20 , a stern portion  22 , at least one support post  24  and connectors  26 . The boat cover  2  is a two piece mooring cover for open fishing boats as well as those boats with a single console or double console. 
     In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bow portion  20  comprises a bow zipper  28  and two sides  30 . In this embodiment, the bow zipper  28  connects the two sides  30  and the two sides  30  extend therefrom at angles to meet at a point  32  for fitting over the bow  4  of the boat  1 , as discussed below. As will be appreciated by one knowledgeable in the art, the size and shape of the bow portion  20  will vary according to the layout of the boat  1 , as discussed below. The sides  30  include elastics  34  within the edges thereof for engaging the sides  8  of the boat  1 , as described below. 
     The stern section  22  comprises a stern zipper  38  extending between two sides  40  and a rear portion  42  opposite the stern zipper  38 . The two sides  40  and the rear portion  42  include elastics  34  within the edges thereof for engaging the sides  8  of the boat  1 , as described below. It is of note that in some embodiments, the rear portion  42  of the stern section  22  is arranged to be fitted around a motor whereas in other embodiments, the rear portion  42  is arranged to be fitted over a motor. Alternatively, the boat cover  2  may include a separate motor cover. 
     The support post  24  includes a spring loaded ring  44  for holding the support post  24  in place. The spring loaded ring  44  may be mounted to, for example, a seat support. It is of note that the underside of the bow portion  20  and/or the stern portion  22  may include a loop for attaching the boat cover  2  to the support posts  24 , as described below. 
     In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the connectors  26  comprise bungee loops  48  mounted onto the sides  30  and  40  and, in some embodiments, the rear portion  42 . 
     In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the connectors  26  comprise a moulding  50  mounted onto the sides  8  of the boat, the moulding  50  having slidable snaps  52  mounted thereon. In these embodiments, the sides  30  and  40  and in some embodiments the rear portion  42 , include snaps  54  for engaging the slidable snaps  52 , as described below. 
     As will be appreciated by one knowledgeable in the art, the boat cover  2 , as is the case with all similar products, will tend to shrink over time. As a consequence, the connectors  26  have been designed to be flexible enough to compensate for shrinkage. That is, in one embodiment, the slidable snaps  52  can be moved upwards relative to the moulding  50  or in the other embodiment, the bungee loops  48  can be stretched to compensate for boat cover  2  shrinkage. 
     In other embodiments, there may be additional connectors  26  in the bow section, approximately half-way from the bow  4  to the bow zipper  28 . 
     In yet other embodiments, the boat cover  2  includes clips for hanging bumper buoys therefrom to protect the boat as well as the connectors  26  from the dock. In some embodiments, the clips are placed one on each side end flap, approximately 6 to 8 inches above the gunnel line as well as one on each side of the boat cover  2  located above the connector on the rear part of the boat cover  2 . 
     It is of note that other suitable connectors known in the art may also be used with the boat cover  2 . 
     In use, the boat cover  2  is fitted over the boat  1  as follows. The bow portion  20  is fitted over the bow  4  of the boat  1  such that the point  32  engages the bow  4 . The bow portion  20  is fitted over the support post  24  and, as discussed above, a loop on the underside of the bow portion  20  is fitted over the support post  24  so as to secure the bow portion  20  to the support post  24 . The bow section  20  is then pulled toward the stern  6  of the boat  1  such that the elastics  34  in the sides  30  of the bow section  20  engage the sides  8  of the boat  1  so that the bow portion  22  substantially extends over and covers the bow  4  portion of the boat  1 . It is of note that this is done while the individual is within the boat  1 . 
     Next, the stern portion  22  is fitted over the stern  6  of the boat  1  such that the rear portion  42  covers the stern of the boat. The stern portion  22  is fitted over the support post  24  and, as discussed above, a loop on the underside of the stern portion  22  is fitted over the support post  24  so as to secure the stern portion  22  to the support post  24 . It is of note that the stern portion  22  is fitted onto the boat  1  such that the elastics  34  in the sides  40  and rear portion  42  engage the sides  8  and the stern  6  of the boat  1 . Thus, the stern portion  22  extends over and covers the stern portion of the boat  1 . 
     In some embodiments, the boat cover  2  is arranged to have a reinforced circle of vinyl to be fitted over the support post  24  when engaged to cover the boat  1 . In these embodiments, the boat cover  2  may include a plastic cap arranged to be fitted onto the support post  24 , said cap including means for connecting the cap to the vinyl, for example, at least one snap or the like. In these embodiments, the snap keeps the boat cover  2  in place while it is being connected to the stayputs on the side of the boat, as described below. 
     The bow zipper  28  and the stern zipper  38  are then engaged, forming a zipper  56 . It is of note that securing the bow portion  20  and the stern portion  22  to the posts  24  holds the bow portion  20  and the stern portion  22  in place during zipper  56  formation. In some embodiments, the bow zipper  28  and the stern zipper  38  form two zippers  56  which close from the middle outward for enclosing the boat  1 . As a result of this arrangement, the individual can engage one of the zippers  56  and then step out of the boat  1  to close the other zipper  56 . The boat cover  2  also includes a flap  58  which is arranged to cover the zipper(s)  56 , thereby shielding the zipper  56  from the elements. In some embodiments, the flap  58  includes a Velcro™ strip, snaps or the like for securing an edge of the flap  58  to the boat cover. 
     In some embodiments, the boat cover  2  includes a second flap sewn underneath the zippers  28  and  38 . As will be apparent to one of skill in the art, this second flap keeps water out while also preventing scratching of the boat by the zipper  56  when the boat cover  2  is engaged. 
     In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the bungee loops  48  are fitted over the stayput fasteners  10 . As can be seen in FIG. 1, in some embodiments, the bungee loops  48  proximal to the bow zipper  28  and the stern zipper  38  are crossed, thereby further securing the boat cover  2  onto the boat  1 . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the slidable snaps  52  on the mounting  50  are positioned such that the snaps  54  on the bow portion  20  and the stern portion  22  can be engaged. 
     Once assembled, the boat cover  2  protects the boat  1  from rain, wind and sun damage. As discussed above, the boat cover  2  is arranged such that the boat cover  2  can be assembled while the individual is within the boat, thereby reducing the risk of accident or injury. 
     It is of note that while the boat cover  2  is intended for use while the boat  1  is moored, the boat cover  2  can also be used while the boat  1  is in transit or even in use. Specifically, in these embodiments, the bow portion  22  is fitted over the bow  4  of the boat  1  as discussed above. As a result of this arrangement, the bow  4  of the boat  1  is shielded from the elements and can be used for protected storage. 
     In some embodiments for use with boats having either a single console or double console, the bow portion  22  and the stern portion  24  may be arranged such that the zipper  56  is proximal to the console for operating the boat  1 . In these embodiments, the zipper  56  may be disengaged into the bow zipper  28  and the stern zipper  38 , thereby allowing access to the console so that the boat  1  may be operated without removing the boat cover  2 . In these embodiments, the boat cover  2  may include an additional zipper perpendicular to the zipper  56  for opening the boat cover  2  and accessing the seat  14  proximal to the console. 
     In other embodiments, the boat cover  2  may include a plurality of “tie-down” straps for securing the boat cover  2  to a trailer when trailering. In these embodiments, the tie-down straps may be composed of nylon and may be arranged on the boat cover at for example 24-30 inch intervals along the length of the boat cover  2 . 
     It is of note that the above-described boat cover  2  may also be used on boats with solid windshields. In these embodiments, the front part of the cover is arranged to extend from the tip of the bow to approximately 6 inches past the windshield, as well as over the sides of the boat. Stayput fasteners are arranged on the side of the boat proximal to or at the end of the windshield. The zippers are installed at an angle from the center of the windshield to the end of the windshield, or in an “arc” fashion. The portion of the boat cover that rests on the windshield may be reinforced with vinyl and/or may include snaps for connecting the boat cover  2  to the snaps present on the windshield. It is of note that in these embodiments, the rear support post would be installed in the back of the boat where feasible. 
     It is of note that the above-described boat cover  2  can also be used on fibreglass boats with solid windshields. As will be apparent to one of skill in the art, the boat cover  2  will have the added benefit in these embodiments of protecting the fibreglass sections of the boat from the sun, which would be exposed if prior art covers were engaged. Specifically, many prior art covers are made to cover only the openings of the boat such as the front bow and the sitting area behind the windshield, which is not the case with the boat cover  2  described herein. 
     It is of note that due to the design of some fibreglass boats, it would be necessary to use “pop-up” round cleats to secure the cover to the side of the boat. 
     It is of note that in some embodiments, the boat cover  2  may be in the form of a kit, comprising a bow portion  20 , a stern portion  22 , at least one support post  24 , connectors  26  and instructions for assembling the boat cover  2  and for engaging the boat cover  2  onto the boat. 
     In yet other embodiments, there is provided a boat cover  2  and a boat on which the cover  2  is mounted. The boat has a bow, a stern and sides, and the boat cover comprises a bow portion fitted over the bow of the boat; a stern portion fitted over the stern of the boat; and zipper means for connecting the bow portion and the stern portion. 
     While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above, it will be recognized and understood that various modifications may be made therein, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications which may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.