Patent Publication Number: US-7591228-B2

Title: Boat deck locker

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/202,958 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,255,053), filed Aug. 12, 2005, which claims priority from provisional application Ser. No. 60/601,764, filed Aug. 13, 2004, which applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention generally relates to storage lockers for boats. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Boats often include lockers for storage, livewells, rod holders and other uses. Often, lockers are formed in the deck of the boat to take advantage of space between the deck and the hull that would otherwise not be used. The lids of deck lockers also serve as part of the deck and must be sturdy enough to support people walking on the deck, as well as preferably protecting the interiors of the lockers from excessive water entry. Lockers can have locking mechanisms to protect against accidental opening of the lids or theft of items stored in the lockers. 
     Known latches provide secure fastening of lids to deck lockers in a closed position to protect the contents of the locker. However, such latches are mounted to the lid of the locker. Often, the latches are recessed so that they are flush with the lid and present an even deck surface while allowing easy opening of and access into the lockers. While the lid may seal the edges of the opening providing access into the deck locker, the latches include components that extend through the lid thereby providing paths for water that accumulates in the latch recess to enter the interior of the locker. Water within these recesses may also cause the latch itself to become corroded and damaged. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention relates to a boat locker adapted to reduce entry of water into the locker. In one embodiment, the locker is mounted at the deck of a boat and includes a releasable latching arrangement with an actuator mounted offset from the lid to hold the lid closed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention may be more completely understood by considering the detailed description of various embodiments of the invention that follows in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of a boat including prior art deck compartments, locker lids have been omitted to more clearly show the compartments. 
         FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of a prior art deck compartment latching mechanism installed on a lid adapted to cover one of the deck compartments of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective view of the lid with the prior art latching mechanism of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of a deck locker adapted to be closed by the lid with the prior art latching mechanism of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of a front portion of a boat including deck compartments of lockers having features that are examples of inventive aspects in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, lids have been omitted to more clearly show the compartments. 
         FIG. 5A  is a top view of one of the deck lockers of the boat of  FIG. 5  equipped with a lid. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a latching mechanism of the deck lockers of  FIGS. 5 and 5A . 
         FIG. 7  shows a cut-away view of locker in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure with the lid in a latched configuration. 
         FIG. 8  shows a latching member and striker member of the locker of  FIG. 7  in a latched configuration. 
         FIG. 9  shows the locker of  FIG. 7  with the lid in a non-latched, partially raised configuration. 
         FIG. 10  is another view of the locker of  FIG. 9  with the lid partially raised. 
         FIG. 11  is still another view of the locker of  FIG. 9  with the lid partially raised. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an alternative striker member in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure engaging a latching member. 
         FIG. 13  shows still another striker member in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure mounted at the side surface of a lid. 
         FIG. 14  is another view of the striker member of  FIG. 13 . 
     
    
    
     While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In pleasure and fishing boats, such as prior art boat  10  shown in  FIG. 1 , often a plurality of deck lockers  12  (shown without lids) are included in a deck  14  to take advantage of space between deck  14  and hull  16  for storage. Bulky items such as life jackets, mooring lines, anchors and anchor rode, and other gear may be stored within such lockers  12 . Also, some deck lockers  12  may be adapted for storing long or awkwardly sized and shaped items, such as fishing rods and other water sports equipment (skis, wakeboards, etc.) below deck level to keep deck  14  generally free of clutter and provide a safe, secure storage area. 
       FIGS. 2 to 4  show a known latch mechanism  18  for securing a lid  20  adapted to close off one of the deck lockers  12  of  FIG. 1 . Latch mechanism  18  includes a recessed area  24  in lid  20  with a folding t-handle  22  sized and shaped to fold and fit within recessed area  24  when latched. So folded, t-handle  22  is essentially flush with lid  20 . However, t-handle  22  does not fully fill in recessed area  24  when folded, leaving at least a portion of recessed area  24  open for collecting water on deck  14  from spray or splashing, or from rain. T-handle  22  is connected to a cam bar  26  (see  FIG. 3 ) at the inner side of the lid  20  by an arrangement that extends through the lid  20 . By rotating the t-handle, the cam bar  26  on the inner surface of lid  20  is moved between a latched and latched position.  FIG. 3  shows the orientation of the cam bar  26  when in the latched orientation. As so positioned, the cam bar  26  extends toward a first edge  28  of lid  20 . First edge  28  is opposite a second edge  30  along which lid  20  is hingedly mounted to the deck  14 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , deck locker  12  includes a compartment  19  (e.g., a box or enclosure) beneath the deck. The compartment  19  can be accessed through a top opening  15  defined by a rim or lip  13  that extends about a perimeter of the top opening  15 . When the lid  20  is closed, it covers the top opening  15  of the compartment  19 . When the t-handle is moved to the latched position while the lid  20  is closed, the cam bar  26  moves beneath lip  13  of the compartment  19  such that the lip  13  is captured between the cam bar  26  and the first edge  28  of lid  20 . In this way, cam bar  26  and first edge  28  of lid  20  cooperate to secure lid  20 . 
     When lid  20  is closed, as shown in  FIG. 2 , lid  20  is flush with the level of deck  14 . T-handle  22  is shaped to provide a finger grip to lift lid  20  to open locker  12 . Since it is desirable to have lid  20  flush with deck  14 , finger grips or other non-retractable protrusions are viable options to aid in opening locker  12 . As shown, recessed area  24  in lid  20  is positioned directly above the top opening  15  of the compartment  19  when the lid is closed. Any water splashing or raining on deck  14  may accumulate within recessed area  24 . Since the t-handle arrangement extends through the lid, it defines a water intrusion path that allows collected water to drain through latch mechanism  18  into compartment  19  thereby getting items stored within the compartment wet. While seals and other water control devices or techniques may be used to minimize such leakage, latching mechanism must remain movable to permit cam bar  26  to be rotated to unlatch lid  20 , and such a movable structure may still be susceptible to leakage. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a recessed water channel  17  is provided about the raised lip  13  defining the top opening  15  of the compartment  19 . The water channel  17  directs water passing around the edges of lid  20  away from the top opening  15  so that the water does not enter the compartment  19 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , lid  20  includes a lower extension  29  about its perimeter. Lower extension  29  fits about lip  13  and into the water channel  17  to provide a seal against entry of water into compartment  19  through the top-opening  15 . 
       FIG. 5  depicts a boat  110  including lockers  112  having features in that are examples of inventive aspects in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. The lockers  112  are similar in size and function to the deck lockers  12  of prior art boat  10  and include compartments  119  that can be accessed though top openings  115 . However, unlike the prior art lockers, the lockers  112  are equipped with latching mechanisms  118  adapted to reduce the likelihood of water intrusion into the lockers  112 . For example, the latching mechanisms  118  can include moveable latching members and corresponding actuators that are laterally offset from the top openings  115  when lids of the lockers  112  (an example lid  120  is shown at  FIG. 5A ) are closed. In certain preferred embodiments, the moveable latches and their corresponding actuators are not mounted on the lids of the lockers, but are instead offset from the lids and configured to engage strikers fixed adjacent the sides of the lids. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5A , the depicted locker  112  includes a storage compartment  119  that can be accessed through a top opening  15  defined by a deck  114  of the boat  110 . A raised lip  113  surrounds the perimeter of the top opening  115 . In certain embodiments, the raised lip  113  can include a gasket as is conventionally known in the art. A recessed water collection region  117  surrounds the raised lip  113 . The locker  112  also includes a lid  120  for opening and closing the top opening  115  of the compartment  119 . The lid includes a top surface  131  and outwardly facing side surfaces  133   a - d  that extend downwardly from the top surface  131  of the lid  120 . A striker member  140  is mounted to the lid  120  adjacent one of the outwardly facing side surfaces (e.g., side surface  133   a ). As shown at  FIGS. 5A ,  7 ,  9  and  10 , the lid  120  can include a depression or notch  135  adjacent the side surface  133   a  for allowing the striker member  140  to be at least partially recessed relative to the side surface  133   a . The latching mechanism  118  is adapted to latch the striker member  140  when the lid  120  is closed. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5A and 10 , side surface  133   c  is hingedly attached to the deck of the boat adjacent a first side  134  of the top opening  115  of the compartment  119  so that the first side surface  133   a  of lid  120  may be pivoted up and away from a second side  136  of the top opening  115  to open locker  112 . A channel  126  having a rectangular cross-sectional shape is positioned adjacent the second side  136  of the top opening  115 . Components making up latching mechanism  118  are mounted within the channel  126 . By mounting the components of latching mechanism  118  along second side  136  within channel  126 , lid  120  may be constructed without a latching mechanism extending through a central portion of lid  120 . This reduces the opportunity for water to seep into locker  112 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , latching mechanism  118  includes an actuator such as a latch handle assembly  128  along with a lid latching assembly  130 . A keyed locking cylinder  132  may also be included in the latching mechanism  118  to allow the lid latching assembly  130  to be locked in a latched orientation to prevent undesired access to locker  112 . The elements of latching mechanism  118  are described in additional detail below. By mounting the latch handle assembly  128 , the lid latching assembly  130  and the keyed locking cylinder  132  within channel  126 , any water that may enter the latching mechanism  118  may be directed to the bilge or other area of boat  110  without falling into locker  112 . 
     Latching mechanism  118 , latch handle assembly  128 , lid latching assembly  130  and keyed locking cylinder  132  are similar in design and function to the ratcheted pawl latch disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,927,772 and 6,048,006, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , lid latching assembly  130  includes a trigger  138  which extends from within channel  126  through a surface  236  and engages the striker member  140  mounted to the side surface  133   a  of lid  120 . When the lid  120  is closed, side surface  133   a  of the lid  120  opposes surface  236  of the channel  126 . When in a secured position, trigger  138  interacts with striker member  140  to hold lid  120  closed atop locker  112  as shown at  FIGS. 7 and 8 . When access to locker  112  is desired, actuation of the latch handle assembly  128  will cause trigger  138  to engage striker member  140  and raise the lid  120  at least partially above deck  114  and a top surface  165  of channel  126  as shown at  FIGS. 9 and 10 . Partially raising lid  120  allows a person wishing to access locker  112  to grasp lid  120  as shown at  FIG. 11 , and move the lid to an open position. By having latching mechanism  118  provide this operation, no handle is needed to be mounted to lid  120 , reducing the avenues through lid  120  for water to follow into locker  112 . It is anticipated that latching mechanism  118  will include a spring-loaded trigger  138  so that actuation of the latch handle assembly  128  will initiate trigger  138  to spring upward and raise the lid  120  as shown at  FIGS. 9-11 . Alternatively, trigger  138  may not include a spring tension device and movement of the latch handle assembly  128  will provide the force to raise lid  120  above channel  126 . In certain embodiment, a lip  141  (see  FIGS. 9 and 10 ) can be provided above the recessed striker member  140  to provide improved finger access as shown at  FIG. 11 . 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  shows trigger  138  and striker member  140  engaging each other in a latched position. Trigger  138  includes an upper arm  144  and a lower arm  146 . A spring  142  is positioned to apply upward pressure to lower arm  146  to rotate trigger  138  about an axis of pivot extending through a pivot opening  160 . Upper arm  144  and lower arm  146  define a space  156  between them. When latched, striker member  140  fits within space  156  with lower arm  146  positioned below striker member  140  and upper arm  144  positioned above striker member  140 . The upper and lower arms are so positioned to prevent striker member  140  from moving, thus securing lid  120  in place closing off locker  112 . Trigger  138  includes a locking member  158  extending opposite the upper and lower arms  144 ,  146 . Locking member  158  engages other portions of latching mechanism  118  to selectively hold trigger  138  in the latching position engaging striker member  140 , as shown at  FIGS. 7 and 8 , or releasing trigger  138  to be rotated by spring  142  to a release position, as shown in  FIGS. 9-11 . 
     To open lid  120  of locker  112 , with lid  120  secured on locker  112  and trigger  138  engaging striker member  140 , a person would grasp and raise an end of a handle  164 , which is part of the latch handle assembly  128 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . Handle  164  of the latch handle assembly  128  is accessible through an opening  166  in the top surface  165  of channel  126 . Raising handle  164  releases the portion of latching mechanism  118  engaging locking member  158  and permitting force applied to trigger  138  by spring  142  to rotate trigger  138  about the axis of pivot extending through the pivot opening  160 . Lower arm  146  of trigger  138  will press upward against striker member  140  and raise lid  120  to the position of  FIGS. 9-11 . In this position, as shown in  FIG. 9 , upper arm  144  has been retracted to allow striker member to be removed from space  156  without obstruction. Thus raised, the user will then be able to grasp the edge of the lid  120  and raise lid  120  to allow access to locker  112 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . 
     To close locker  112  and secure lid  120 , the user would allow lid  120  to close far enough so that striker member  140  engages lower arm  146  of trigger  138 . In this position, lid  120  will be raised above deck  114 . Tension of spring  142  against trigger  138  will act to hold lid  120  in this position without additional closing pressure from the user. Pressing further on lid  120  will cause striker member  140  to depress lower arm  146  and rotate trigger  138  about the axis of pivot extending through the pivot opening  160 . As trigger  138  rotates to the secured position, upper arm  144  moves into place atop striker member  140  and striker member  140  is captured within space  156 .  When trigger  138  is fully depressed by striker member  140 , latching mechanism  118  engages locking member  158  and trigger  138  is releasably held in the secured/latched position. 
       FIG. 6  shows channel  126  including an opening  168  along surface  236  through which trigger  138  extends. Surface  236  also includes fastener openings  171  and  173 , and a lock opening  174  in the top surface  165  through which the keyed locking cylinder  132  may be accessed to insert a key to lock or unlock latching mechanism  118 . The keyed locking cylinder  132  may be actuated by a key to prevent the latching mechanism from being moved from the latched position to the release position. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5A and 10 , the side surfaces  133   a - d  of lid  120  provide a lower extension  129  about a perimeter of the lid. The lower extension  129  of lid  120  is similar to the lower extension  29  of lid  20 , and cooperates with the raised lip  113  and the water collection region  117  to direct water away from entering locker  112 . Channel  126 , within which latching mechanism  118  is mounted, also provides a conduit for directing water away from entry into locker  112 . Any water entering the channel  126 , such as through opening  166  or about trigger  138 , would be directed away from locker  112 , for instance, into a scupper or a drain into a bilge. 
       FIG. 12  shows trigger  138  engaging an alternative striker member  341  in a locked position. Trigger  138  includes an upper arm  144  and a lower arm  146 . A spring  142  is positioned to apply upward pressure to lower arm  146  to rotate trigger  138  about an axis of pivot extending through a pivot opening  160 . Upper arm  144  and lower arm  146  define a space  156  between them. Lower arm  146  is positioned below a ledge  340  (i.e., a striker member) within space  156  and upper arm  144  is positioned above ledge  340 . The upper and lower arms are so positioned to prevent ledge  340  of striker member  341  from moving, thus securing lid  120  in place closing off locker  112 . Trigger  138  includes a locking member  158  extending opposite the upper and lower arms. Locking member  158  engages other portions of latching mechanism  118  selectively hold trigger  138  in the latching position engaging striker member  341 , as shown at  FIG. 12 , or releasing trigger  138  to be rotated by spring  142  to a release position. 
     Striker member  341  includes a top edge  350  or lip, which may be mounted flush with or below the upper surface of lid  120 , and a mounting wall  352  opposite ledge  340 . Mounting wall  352  is positioned against side surface  133   a  of lid  120  and may be secured to lid  120  by fasteners such as screws extending through fastener openings  354 , by adhesive, or other fastening methods or a combination fastening methods. Striker member  341  also includes a lower recess  362  extending beneath ledge  340  to permit movement of lower arm  146  to engage and disengage ledge  340 . 
     To open lid  120  of locker  112 , with lid  120  secured on locker  112  and trigger  138  engaging striker member  341 , a person would grasp and raise an end of a handle  164 , which is part of the latch handle assembly  128 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . Handle  164  of the latch handle assembly  128  is accessible through an opening  166  in the top surface  165  of channel  126 . Raising handle  164  releases the portion of latching mechanism  118  engaging locking member  158  and permitting force applied to trigger  138  by spring  142  to rotate trigger  138  about the axis of pivot extending through the pivot opening  160 . Lower arm  146  of trigger  138  will press upward against ledge  340  of striker member  341  and raise lid  120 . Lid  120  will be raised at least partially above the surface of the deck  114 . In this position, upper arm  144  has been retracted to permit ledge  340  to be removed from space  156 . Thus raised, the user will then be able to grasp the edge of lid  120  or top edge  350  of the striker member  341  and raise lid  120  to allow access to locker  112 . 
     To close locker  112  and secure lid  120 , the user would allow lid  120  to close far enough so that ledge  340  of striker member  341  engages lower arm  146  of trigger  138 . In this position, lid  120  will be raised above deck  114 . Tension of spring  142  against trigger  138  will act to hold lid  120  in this position without additional closing pressure from the user. Pressing further on lid  120  will cause ledge  340  to depress lower arm  146  and rotate trigger  138  about the axis of pivot extending through the pivot opening  160 . As trigger  138  rotates to the secured position, upper arm  144  moves into place atop ledge  340  and ledge  340  is captured within space  156 . When trigger  138  is fully depressed by ledge  340 , latching mechanism  118  engages locking member  158  and trigger  138  is releasably held in the secured position. 
       FIGS. 13 and 14  show a further embodiment of a striker member  441  secured to the outwardly facing side surface  133   a  of the lid  120 . The striker member  441  includes a striker member  440  that is engaged by the latching mechanism  118 , and is not recessed relative to the side surface  133   a.    
     The above specification and examples provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.