Patent Publication Number: US-2022227462-A1

Title: Motorized slide system for manipulating a component of a boat

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/860,820 filed Apr. 28, 2020, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application 62/841,572 filed on May 1, 2019, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for manipulating vehicle components, and more particularly manipulation systems and methods for re-positioning boat components for maximizing the efficient use of space on a boat deck or the like. 
     BACKGROUND 
     This section provides background information related to the present disclosure and is not necessarily prior art. 
     Vehicles, particularly boats, by their nature, offer a limited amount of space for arranging components such as equipment, furniture (e.g., seats, containers, etc.), and the like. Accordingly, a robustly engineered packaging and arrangement of such components can allow for the efficient and functional use of the available space on the vehicle. While known systems for arranging such vehicle components have proven acceptable for their intended purpose, there remains a continuous need for improvement in the pertinent art. 
     SUMMARY 
     This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features. 
     One aspect of the disclosure provides forth a system for manipulating one or more boat structures to efficiently use critical deck space when certain functions are required and to relinquish that space when those functions are no longer needed. Additionally, because of the tight quarters commonly found on boats, poorly located objects such as walls, equipment, furniture, etc. can pose inconveniences and in some cases, hazards. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure provides a seat manipulating system that is largely located below the boat deck with minimum penetration above the boat deck, thereby essentially eliminating all trip hazards. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure provides a component assembly. The component assembly may include a drive mechanism at least indirectly coupled to the component assembly. The component assembly may be manipulatable along a path by the associated drive mechanism. A track/slide system may be coupled at least indirectly to the component assembly for guiding the movement of the component assembly along the path. A below-deck cavity structure supports the associated drive mechanism. The component assembly may be located substantially above a floor panel having an upper surface. The drive mechanism and the track/slide system may be located within the below deck cavity structure and below the upper surface. 
     Yet another aspect of the present disclosure provides a slide system. The slide system includes a component assembly, a track system, a floor panel, and a below-deck cavity. The track system is coupled at least indirectly to the component assembly for guiding movement of the component assembly along a path. The floor panel includes an upper surface. The below-deck cavity is disposed below the floor panel. The component assembly is located substantially above the floor panel. The track system is located within the below deck cavity and below the upper surface. 
     Implementations of this aspect of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. In some implementations, the slide system includes a drive mechanism at least indirectly coupled to the component assembly. The component assembly may be manipulatable along the path by the drive mechanism. In some implementations, the slide system includes a motor operable to actuate the drive mechanism. In some implementations, the drive mechanism includes a cable coupled to the motor and the component assembly. The cable may be configured to move the component assembly relative to the floor panel. 
     In some implementations, the component system includes at least one of a seat or an entertainment system. 
     In some implementations, the track system includes a first portion and a second portion configured to translate relative to the first portion. The first portion may be fixed within the cavity. The second portion may be coupled to the component assembly for translation therewith. 
     In some implementations, the floor panel defines a slit. The slide system may also include a support structure coupled to the component assembly and the track system. The support structure may be at least partially disposed within the slit. The support structure may include a lateral section and an upper wall extending from the lateral section. At least a portion of the lateral section may be disposed below the upper surface. The upper wall may be disposed above the upper surface. The floor panel may be disposed between the upper wall and the cavity relative to a direction extending perpendicular to the path. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure provides a slide system. The slide system may include a deck, a floor panel, a track system, and a support structure. The deck may define a cavity and an opening in communication with the cavity. The floor panel may cover a portion of the opening. The deck and the floor panel may define a slit. The track system may be disposed within the cavity. The support structure may be coupled to the track system and include a portion translatably disposed within the slit. The track system may be configured to move the portion of the support structure within the slit. 
     This aspect may include one or more of the following optional features. 
     In some implementations, the slide system includes a component assembly coupled to the support structure. The component assembly may be located substantially above the floor panel. The track system may be located below the floor panel. The component assembly may include at least one of a seat or an entertainment system. 
     In some implementations, the slide system includes a drive mechanism at least indirectly coupled to the support structure. The support structure may be manipulatable along a path by the drive mechanism. In some implementations, the slide system includes a motor operable to actuate the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism may include a cable coupled to the motor and the support structure. The cable may be configured to move the support structure relative to the floor panel. 
     The track system may include a first portion and a second portion. The second portion may be configured to translate relative to the first portion. The first portion may be fixed within the cavity. The second portion may be coupled to the support structure for translation therewith. 
     In some implementations, the support structure includes a lateral section and an upper wall extending from the lateral section. At least a portion of the lateral section may be disposed below the floor panel. The upper wall may be disposed above the floor panel. The slit may extend in a travel direction. The floor panel may be disposed between the upper wall and the cavity relative to a direction extending perpendicular to the travel direction. 
     Yet another aspect of the disclosure provides a slide system. The slide system may include a component assembly, a track system, a floor panel, and a cavity. The track system may be coupled to the component assembly and define a path of movement of the component assembly. The floor panel may include an upper surface and be disposed between the component assembly and the track system. The cavity may be disposed below the floor panel. The component assembly may be disposed above the floor panel. The track system may be located within the cavity and below the upper surface. 
     This aspect may include one or more of the following optional features. 
     In some implementations, the floor panel defines a slit. The slide system may also include a support structure coupled to the component assembly and the track system and at least partially disposed within the slit. 
     Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected configurations and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of a vehicle including a slide system in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic plan view of the slide system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic elevational view of a side of the slide system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic elevational view of another side of the slide system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5A  is a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of the slide system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5B  is an enlargement of portion  5 B of  FIG. 5A . 
         FIG. 5C  is a cross-sectional elevation view of the portion  5 B of  FIG. 5A . 
         FIG. 6  is another cross-sectional elevation view of the portion  5 B of  FIG. 5A . 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Example configurations will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Example configurations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. Specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of configurations of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example configurations may be embodied in many different forms, and that the specific details and the example configurations should not be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a vehicle  5  including a body  6 , an engine  7 , and a slide system  10  is shown. While the vehicle  5  is shown and described herein as being a motorized watercraft (e.g., a boat), the vehicle  5  may include an automobile, a bus, or other suitable form of transportation within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     The slide system  10  includes a seat/entertainment system assembly  12  and an associated drive mechanism  14 . As will be explained in more detail below, the seat/entertainment system assembly  12  can be manipulated along a path  20  comprised of a reverse travel direction  16  and a forward travel direction  18 . For example, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3-6 , the seat/entertainment system assembly  12  may ride (e.g., translate) upon a track/slide system  22 . In particular, the seat/entertainment assembly  12  may be manipulated along the reverse direction  16  and the forward direction  18  by way of a drive motor  24  and associated drive linkage  26 . With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the manipulation of the drive motor  24  can be accomplished by way of toggling a control switch  28  in a fore or aft position, which may be respectively associated with moving the seat/entertainment system assembly  12  in the reverse  16  or forward  18  direction. The control switch  28  can be mounted in any convenient location, including on a control console  30  of the vehicle  5 . The control switch  28  interfaces with a motor controller  32 , which, in turn, is connected electrically to, and communicates with, the drive motor  24 . Methods and systems for using a fore/aft electric switch to control the reverse/forward rotational direction of a motor are well known to those skilled in the art, the details of which are not discussed any further herein. 
     The seat/entertainment system assembly  12  can be comprised of any number of components including a first seat  34  and a second seat. In this arrangement, the second seat could be attached back-to-back to the first seat  34  such that the second seat is completely supported (e.g., cantilevered) from a backrest portion  38  of the first seat  34 . By arranging the first seat  34  and the second seat in this way, the second seat may be free-floating and not contact an outer walking surface  40  of a deck  42  of the vehicle  5 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , in some implementations, the seat/entertainment system assembly  12  includes other components. For example, the seat/entertainment system assembly  12  may include an entertainment system structure  44 . In this regard, the first seat  34  may support the entertainment system structure  44 . Specifically, the first seat  34  can support (e.g., cantilevered), the entertainment system structure  44  for housing a sink, a grill, (sink and grill not shown) or any other system used on the vehicle  5 . Depending on the type of system which is housed in the entertainment system structure  44 , various services may be necessary to run to, and to run from, the entertainment system structure  44 . In this regard, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the vehicle  5  may include one or more service conduits/lines  45  (e.g., a gas line for fueling a grill, hot and cold water service conduits for a sink, a wastewater drain system conduit for the sink, electrical service conduits for powering an electric grill, garbage disposal, or any other electrical device located within the entertainment system structure  44 ). 
     The seat/entertainment system assembly  12  is manipulatable along the path  20 . For example, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the seat/entertainment system  12  may be located between a wall  46  and one or more other seats  48  or other structures (e.g., a steering wheel). When there is no need to access the entertainment system structure  44 , the seat/entertainment system assembly  12  can be manipulated such that a space or distance D 1  measured along (e.g., parallel to) the path  20  between the seat/entertainment system  12  and the one or more other seats  48  can be minimized. This allows a space or distance D 2  measured along (e.g., parallel to) the path  20  between the seat/entertainment system  12  and the wall  46  to be maximized for use as an aisle way, for access to the motor or other area of the vehicle  5 , for accessing other controls, etc. On the other hand, when a user desires to access the entertainment system assembly  12  (e.g., the entertainment system structure  44 ), the user can manipulate the control switch  28  such that the seat/entertainment system assembly  12  is manipulated in the reverse direction  16 , thereby minimizing the distance D 2  and maximizing the distance D 1 . 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 3 and 5A-6 , optionally, the drive mechanism  14  is located in a cavity  50 , which is located completely below the walking surface  40  of the deck  42 . In this regard, the deck  42  may define an opening  51  in the walking surface  40 . The opening  51  may be in fluid communication with the cavity  50 . Optionally, the only portion of the drive mechanism  14  that extends above the walking surface  40  is a support structure  52  for supporting the seat/entertainment system assembly  12  (e.g., the first seat  34  and/or the entertainment system structure  44 ). In some implementations, the support structure  52  is a bent plate. In this regard, the support structure  52  may be referred to herein as the bent plate  52 . In some implementations, the deck  42  includes a narrow slit  59  disposed between a floor panel  54  (e.g., a floor panel edge  56  of the floor panel  54 ) and the deck  42  (e.g., a deck edge  58  of the deck  42 ). In this regard, the slit  59  may be the only opening between the floor panel edge  56  and the deck edge  58 . The narrow slit  59  does not have to be any wider than necessary to allow for the width W ( FIG. 6 ) of the bent plate  52  to pass therethrough from the cavity  50 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5A , the bent plate  52  can be comprised of right and left lateral sections  52   a ,  52   b , wherein each right and left lateral section  52   a ,  52   b  is supported by one or more of the track/slide systems  22 . In particular, one or more fasteners (e.g., bolts  61 ) may couple the bent plate  52  to a first portion  22   a  of the track/slide system  22 . The right lateral section  52   a  may be coupled to the left lateral section  52   b  at an upper wall or section  52   c  of the bent plate  52  such that the bent plate  52  defines a “C” shaped construct. In this regard, the floor panel  54  may be at least partially disposed within the bent plate  52 , such that the floor panel  54  is disposed between the upper wall  52   c  and the right and left lateral sections  52   a ,  52   b , respectively, of the bent plate  52  in a direction extending substantially perpendicular to the path  20 . In some implementations, the cavity  50  is defined in part by a lower wall  53  extending substantially parallel to the deck  42 , and the floor panel  54  is disposed between the lower wall  53  of the deck  42  and the upper wall  52   c  of the bent plate  52  in the direction extending substantially perpendicular to the path  20 . 
     The floor panel  54  hides the opening  51  above, and to, the below deck cavity  50 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , in some implementations, the floor panel(s)  54  are coupled to the lower wall  53  of the deck  42  by one or more mechanical fasteners  63  (e.g., a U-bolt). Optionally, the floor panel  54  can be easily removed from the bent plate  52  by removing the one or more fasteners  63  for servicing the below deck drive mechanism  14 . Optionally, the material thicknesses and geometries of the floor panel  54  are designed and/or sized such that the walking surface  40  is generally positioned at the same horizontal level as (e.g., coplanar with) an upper surface  55  of the floor panel  54 . By arranging the floor panel  54 , the walking surface  40 , and the drive mechanism  14  in this manner, the floor panel  54 , the walking surface  40 , and the components (e.g., the drive motor  24 , the drive linkage  26 , and/or any other components of the below deck drive mechanism  14 ) do not present any trip hazards for the user. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the drive mechanism  14  and/or the associated drive linkage  26  may further include one or more cables  60  and one or more pulleys  62  coupled to the drive motor  24  and the track/slide system  22 . In particular, a first end or portion of the cable(s)  60  may be coupled to the drive motor  24 , while a second end or portion of the cable(s)  60  may be coupled to the first portion  22   a  of the track/slide system  22  that is translatably coupled to a second portion  22   b  of the track/slide system  22 . In this regard, the first portion  22   a  of the track/slide system  22  may be coupled to the seat/entertainment system  12 , while the second portion  22   b  of the track/slide system  22  may be coupled to the deck  42  or lower wall  53  or other portion of the vehicle  5  disposed within the cavity  50  such that actuation of the drive motor  24  increases or decreases the length of the cable(s)  60  and/or causes the cable(s) to translate along the pulley(s)  62 . In this regard, as the cable(s)  60  translates along the pulley(s)  62  it may apply a force on the first portion of the track/slide system  22  and cause the first portion of the track/slide system  22  to translate relative to the second portion of the track/slide system  22 . Translation of the first portion of the track/slide system  22  relative to the second portion of the track/slide system  22  can cause the support structure  52  to translate within the slit  59 , and relative to the floor panel  54  and/or the deck  42 , and cause the seat/entertainment system assembly  12  to translate along the path  20  in the forward direction  18  and/or the reverse direction  16 . 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular exemplary configurations only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular articles “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. Additional or alternative steps may be employed. 
     When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” “attached to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected, attached, or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” “directly attached to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     The terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections. These elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example configurations. 
     The foregoing description has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular configuration are generally not limited to that particular configuration, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected configuration, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.