Patent Publication Number: US-2023159140-A1

Title: Threaded Boat Drain Plug with Ergonomic Grip and Light Enabled Garboard

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a non-provisional application that claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/282,494 filed on Nov. 23, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     This invention is directed to a drain plug for the bilge area of a boat. Recreational boats including motor and sail boats are normally fitted with a drain plug to drain water from the bilge area of the boat. These drain plugs are commonly referred to as garboard plugs. 
     Background of the Invention 
     Boats or other vessels are commonly employed for recreational or commercial use, and are often at risk of water or other fluids collecting in the transom or hull, which may hinder operational performance or present other risks. For example, boats may be exposed to rain when operating or docked without a cover, or may collect water which may splash into the boat when operating or from swimmers entering the boat while anchored offshore. Other fluids, such as fuel or oil which may have spilled from a boat&#39;s engine may also collect in the transom or hull. 
     Typically, boats or vessels may be outfitted with one or more removable plugs which may be secured into a garboard located about a transom or hull, often referred to as a drain plugs, to provide a means of draining the water or other fluids. When securely installed, the drain plugs may prevent water from entering the transom or hull while the boat or vessel is deployed into a body of water such as a lake, river, or other navigable body. Upon being removed from the body of water, for example, in order to tow or store the boat or vessel, the drain plug may then be removed, thereby allowing any water or other fluids which may have collected in the transom or hull to drain from the boat or vessel, since the drain plugs are typically located about a lower-most point of the transom or hull. 
     Prevailing drain plug designs are commonly threaded, square brass nuts which can be cumbersome to tighten and loosen since they typically require special tools and are difficult to grip by hand. Additionally, the garboard and plug are generally installed in areas of the boat or vessel which are difficult to access or may offer poor visibility. Consequently, there is a need for an improved drain plug system which offers both an ergonomic grip allowing the plug to be tightened and loosened by hand, and improved visibility, such that boat and vessel operators can more easily secure and loosen the drain plugs. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     These and other needs in the art are addressed in one embodiment by a garboard drain plug system comprising an ergonomic grip which may aid in tightening and loosening the drain plug by hand without special tools. The garboard drain plug system may comprise a light ring which may surround a garboard, and thereby illuminate an area adjacent to, or surrounding, the garboard. Together, the ergonomic drain plug, garboard, and lighted garboard ring may act alone or in cooperation to provide a method of controlling communication of a fluid through a drain of a hull or transom of a boat or vessel. 
     The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other embodiments for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent embodiments do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG.  1 A  illustrates a first isometric view of an embodiment of an ergonomic drain plug; 
         FIG.  1 B  illustrates a second isometric view of an embodiment of an ergonomic drain plug; 
         FIG.  1 C  illustrates a third isometric view of an embodiment of an ergonomic drain plug; 
         FIG.  1 D  illustrates a fourth isometric view of an embodiment of an ergonomic drain plug; 
         FIG.  2 A  illustrates a first isometric view of an embodiment of an ergonomic drain plug handle; 
         FIG.  2 B  illustrates a second isometric view of an embodiment of an ergonomic drain plug handle; 
         FIG.  2 C  illustrates a third isometric view of an embodiment of an ergonomic drain plug handle; 
         FIG.  2 D  illustrates an exploded view of an embodiment an ergonomic drain plug handle and a drain plug; 
         FIG.  3 A  illustrates a first isometric view of an embodiment of a garboard; 
         FIG.  3 B  illustrates a second isometric view of an embodiment of a garboard; 
         FIG.  3 C  illustrates a third isometric view of an embodiment of a garboard; 
         FIG.  3 D  illustrates a fourth isometric view of an embodiment of a garboard; 
         FIG.  4 A  illustrates a first view of an embodiment of a garboard light ring; 
         FIG.  4 B  illustrates a second view of an embodiment of a garboard light ring; 
         FIG.  5 A  illustrates an exploded view of an embodiment of a drain plug system comprising an ergonomic drain plug and garboard light ring; 
         FIG.  5 B  illustrates an assembled view of an embodiment of a drain plug system comprising an ergonomic drain plug and garboard light ring; 
         FIG.  6 A  illustrates an exploded view of an embodiment of a drain plug system comprising an ergonomic drain plug handle and garboard light ring; and 
         FIG.  6 B  illustrates an assembled view of an embodiment of a drain plug system comprising an ergonomic drain plug handle and garboard light ring. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIGS.  1 A- 1 D and  2 A- 2 D  illustrate alternate embodiments of an ergonomic garboard drain plug, where  FIGS.  1 A- 1 D  illustrate an embodiment of drain plug  100 , principally comprising gripping portion  101 , base portion  102 , and plug portion  103 , and  FIGS.  2 A- 2 D  illustrate an embodiment of drain plug handle  200 , principally comprising gripping portion  201 , base portion  202 , and socket  203 . In embodiments, drain plug handle  200  may be formed in a manner which may be adapted to securely receive drain plug  204  in a manner which will be described below, which may be any garboard drain plug currently known in the art. For ease of reference, drain plug handle  200 , when combined with drain plug  204 , will be referred to as drain plug  200 ′. 
     Gripping portion  101 , 201  may provide one or more ergonomic surfaces of a size and shape which allow a person to comfortably attain sufficient manual purchase on drain plug  100 , 200 ′ to enable the person to secure or loosen drain plug  100 , 200 ′ within a garboard without need for separate tools. In exemplary embodiments, gripping portion  101 , 201  may comprise one, two, three, four, five, or more gripping surfaces which provide a surface against which a person may apply a force or pressure with one or more fingers of their hand while enabling the person to apply sufficient torque to drain plug  100 , 200 ′ to partially or fully seat drain plug  100 , 200 ′ in a garboard, or alternatively to partially or fully loosen drain plug  100 , 200 ′ from a fully or partially seated position in a garboard. In the embodiment shown, drain plug  100  and drain plug handle  200  are shown having three such ergonomic gripping surfaces,  101   a , 201   a ,  101   b , 201   b , and  101   c , 201   c , respectively. Without limitation, in embodiments the general size and shape of gripping portion  101 , 201  may be similar in design to triangular knob 3 as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,836,455, issued Nov. 17, 2020, and U.S. Pat. No. 11,447,207, issued Sep. 20, 2022, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference thereto. In embodiments, all or a portion of each of the one or more ergonomic gripping surfaces of gripping portion  101 , 201  may abut base portion  102 , 202  of drain plug  100 , 200 ′, for example in the manner shown. 
     Base portion  102 , 202  may be formed having any suitable size and shape which may allow drain plug  100 , 200 ′ to be securely seated into a garboard, and may provide a first surface against which all or a portion of gripping portion  101 , 201  may abut, and a second surface which may be brought into interference contact with the garboard upon becoming fully and/or securely seated. For example, base portion  102 , 202  may be formed to have a generally triangular, diamond, rectangular, square, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, decagon, oval, or round shape, or combinations thereof. In the embodiment shown, base portion  102 , 202  is illustrated as being formed to have a round shape. In embodiments, base portion  102 , 202  may be formed to have a thickness which may provide sufficient strength to accept a torque applied to gripping portion  101 , 201  without damage when drain plug  100 , 200 ′ is fully and/or securely seated in a garboard. 
     As can be seen in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 D , drain plug  100  has been formed to comprise plug portion  103 , which may be any suitable protrusion adapted to be received by a garboard, for example via a threaded connection as shown. As can be seen in  FIGS.  2 A- 2 D , drain plug handle  200  has been formed to comprise socket  203 , which may be formed as a recessed feature suitably adapted to receive corresponding portion  205  of drain plug  204 . In embodiments, drain plug  204  may be secured into socket  203  through any known methods which may suitably secure drain plug handle  200  to drain plug  204  which may be capable of sustaining operational conditions of the boat or vessel into which drain plug  200 ′ may be installed. For example, drain plug handle  200  may be securely joined to drain plug  200  via a friction fit or interference fit, or socket  203  may be formed to accept one or more features of drain plug  204  or portion  205 , for example a pin, or socket  203  may be provided with dogs or other features which may securely receive one or more threads of drain plug threaded portion  206 . In embodiments, these alternate methods of securing drain plug handle  200  to drain plug  204  may be supplemented with additional method of providing secure attachment, for example by applying a marine adhesive or thread locking adhesive to one or more features of socket  203  or one or more featured of drain plug  204 . In embodiments, plug portions  103 , 206  of drain plug  100 , 200 ′ may be adapted to be received by a drain of a corresponding garboard, for example by being provided with external threads as shown at  103 , 206 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  3 A- 3 D , an embodiment of garboard  300  is shown having a form generally similar to prevailing designs known in the art. As can be seen, garboard  300  principally comprises raised portion  301  having outermost radius r 1  and base portion  302  having outermost radius r 2 . Garboard  300  may be formed to include, or may be provided with, one or more apertures  302  which may be adapted to receive corresponding fasteners which may secure garboard  300  to a surface of a boat or vessel&#39;s hull or transom. As is known in the art, the length and radius r 1  of raised portion  301  may correspond to a hole which may be provided by, or drilled through, the hull or transom. In embodiments, the surface of base portion  302  against which raised portion  301  may abut may be intended to be brought into surface contact with the hull or transom into which garboard  300  may be installed, and this surface may be formed to have a flat surface profile or alternatively may be formed to comprise one or more recessed surface features, for example to accommodate a sealing element or sealing material applied between the garboard  300  and the hull or transom. In embodiments, garboard  300  may be formed to comprise drain  304 , which may generally be formed as a central bore located to coincide with a central axis of garboard  300  and having radius r 0 . In embodiments, drain  304  may be adapted to receive a corresponding drain plug, for example by being provided with internal threads as shown. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  4 A and  4 B , an embodiment of garboard light ring  400  is shown which may illuminate all or a portion of an area located in proximity to a garboard, and may principally comprise lighted portion  401  and garboard mounting portion  402 . In embodiments, garboard light ring  400  may be formed to have any size and shape suitable to be mounted between garboard  300  and a hull or transom of a boat or vessel. For example garboard light ring  400  may be formed to have a shape which may be generally triangular, diamond, rectangular, square, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, decagon, oval, or round shape, or combinations thereof. In the embodiment shown, garboard light ring  400  is shown to comprise a circular shape, with lighted portion  401  defined by the area between radius r 3  and r 2 , and garboard mounting portion  402  defined by the area between radius r 1  and r 2 , where radius r 1  may correspond to, and be adapted to receive, radius r 1  of raised portion  301  of garboard  300 , and radius r 2  may correspond to, and be adapted to receive, radius r 2  of base portion  302  of garboard  300 . 
     In embodiments, garboard mounting portion  402  may be provided with one or more apertures  403 , which may correspond in size and position to each of the one or more apertures  302  of garboard  300 . In embodiments, garboard mounting portion  402  may be provided with a surface shape which may be formed to conform to, be received by, or be adapted to receive one or more corresponding surface features of the surface of garboard  300  which will be brought into contact with garboard mounting portion  402 . In this manner, garboard mounting portion  402  may be configured to provide a water- or air-tight seal between garboard  300  and garboard light ring  400  when installed on a hull or transom of a boat or vessel in a manner which will later be described. In alternate embodiments, garboard mounting portion  402  may be provided with one or more recessed surface features which may accommodate one or more sealing elements (not shown), or may be formed such that all or a portion of garboard mounting portion comprises a material which may provide a seal between garboard  300  and garboard light ring  400 . Garboard mounting portion  402  may be formed having a thickness which may allow raised portion  301  of garboard  300  to be securely seated within a bore or hole of a hull or transom while maintaining a water- or air-tight seal between garboard  300  and the hull or transom. 
     In embodiments, lighted portion  401  may be formed to provide an internal volume suitable for locating one or more light sources, and may be provided with a transparent or translucent surface on one or more sides which may allow the one or more light sources to be visible to a person observing the hull or transom on which garboard light ring  400  may be installed. In embodiments, lighted portion  401  may be fitted with one or more light sources within the internal volume. For example, without limitation the one or more light sources may comprise known incandescent or LED-type lighting, or combinations thereof, and garboard light ring may be provided with a wiring harness comprising electrical leads  404 , 405 , which may allow, for example, electrical communication with corresponding positive and negative leads of a power source or power system of the boat or vessel. In embodiments, the one or more light sources may be configurable to produce lighting which may vary in brightness, color, or color temperature, or may be modulated among variations in brightness, color, color temperature, or combinations thereof, which may be determined to be aesthetically pleasing. In embodiments, such variations may be controlled through a remote control, which may comprise a dedicated controller, one or more switches in communication with the power system of the boat or vessel, or a software-based application which may be installed on a mobile device, any of which may communicate with garboard light ring  400  through suitable wired or wireless communications media. In the embodiment shown, remote control  700  is illustrated as communicating wirelessly with garboard light ring  400 . 
     Garboard light ring  400  may be formed to provide a surface suitable to be secured in contact with a hull or transom of a boat, and may provide one or more methods of forming a water- or air-tight seal against the hull or transom. For example, in exemplary embodiments, the surface of garboard light ring  400  which may contact the hull or transom when garboard light ring  400  is secured to a boat or vessel may be provided with one or more recessed surface features which may be adapted to receive one or more sealing elements, or all or a portion of the surface of garboard light ring  400  which may contact the hull or transom when garboard light ring  400  is secured to a boat or vessel may be formed from a material which may provide a suitable water- or air-tight seal against the hull or transom. 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  5 A- 5 B  and  FIGS.  6 A- 6 B , two embodiments of a drain plug system comprising an ergonomic grip and light are shown. In the embodiment of  FIGS.  5 A- 5 B , drain plug system  500  is shown comprising drain plug  100 , garboard  300 , and garboard light ring  400 , with  FIG.  5 A  illustrating each in an exploded view, and  FIG.  5 B  illustrating each in an assembled view. In the embodiment of  FIGS.  6 A- 6 B , drain plug system  600  is shown comprising drain plug  200 ′, formed from drain plug handle  200  and drain plug  204 , garboard  300 , and garboard light ring  400 , with  FIG.  6 A  illustrating each in an exploded view and  FIG.  6 B  illustrating each in an assembled view. 
     In each embodiment of drain plug system  500 , 600 , drain plug  100 , 200 ′, garboard  300 , and garboard light ring  400  are arranged to share a common central axis which may be aligned to coincide with a central axis of a drain hole of a hull or transom of a boat or vessel. Garboard light ring  400  may then be positioned to be in contact with a surface of the hull or transom, and garboard  300  may be positioned to be in contact with garboard mounting portion  402  of garboard light ring  400 , with each of the one or more corresponding apertures  303  of garboard  300  aligning with each of the one or more apertures  403  of garboard light ring  400 . Next, fasteners may be inserted into each of the corresponding apertures  303 , 403  and secured into the hull or transom, thereby securing garboard  300 , and in turn garboard light ring  400 , to the hull or transom. In certain embodiments, suitable sealing elements may be positioned between garboard  300  and garboard light ring  400 , and/or between garboard light ring  400  and the hull or transom, as previously described. Garboard  300  may then receive drain plug  100 , 200 ′, which when fully seated and secured within garboard  300 , may provide a water- or air-tight seal at the drain hole provided in the hull or transom. Upon being secured to the boat or vessel, electrical leads  404 , 405  of garboard light ring may be connected to the power source or power system of the boat or vessel as may be appropriate. 
     In alternate embodiments, drain plug system  500 , 600  may be secured to an internal surface or external surface of a hull or transom in the manner described, or adaptations of one or more garboards  300  and one or more garboard light rings  400  may be suitably arranged in a similar manner which may provide a water- or air-tight seal at one or more internal or external surface locations of a hull or transom, or combinations thereof. In embodiments, drain plug system  500 , 600  may be adapted for application in other suitable, non-marine environments. For example drain plug system  500 , 600  may be adapted for use in refrigerated and non-refrigerated beverage coolers or ice chests, or similar such applications which may make it desirable to provide an ergonomic grip and/or a light source located in proximity to a fluid drain. 
     In embodiments, all or a portion of drain plug  100 , drain plug handle  200 , garboard  300 , and garboard light ring  400  may be formed from any metallic or non-metallic material which may be suitable for use in environments exposed to water or other fluids. For example, drain plug  100 , drain plug handle  200 , and/or garboard  300  may be manufactured through  3 D printing or injection molding of suitable non-metallic materials such as plastics, or may be cast, machined, or otherwise formed from suitable metallic materials such as brass, aluminum, or stainless steel. In further examples, garboard light ring  400  may be formed to comprise a base manufactured through  3 D printing or injection molding of suitable non-metallic materials such as plastics, or may be cast, machined, or otherwise formed from suitable metallic materials such as brass, aluminum, or stainless steel. 
     The ergonomic and lighted drain plug system just described provides a number of advantages over prevailing alternatives. For example, garboard drains having a blade-type handle are known in the art, however the designs currently available are generally not ergonomically designed, and the person opening or closing the drain may find it necessary to pinch the blade-type handle or alternatively utilize some form of assistive tool, such as pliers, in order to fully tighten or loosen the drain plug. Additionally, lighted drain plugs are available on the market which provide a light source located in the plug itself. These designs are often less favorable in that they typically comprise power leads soldered or otherwise attached to the plug which may become twisted and stressed as the plug is tightened and loosened, presumably over multiple cycles throughout the lifetime of the drain plug. In contrast, the garboard light ring of the instant design remains stationary, without the need to apply any twisting or turning to the power leads of the garboard light ring. Further, the ergonomic drain plug handle can be incorporated into retrofit applications, thereby converting a commonly available drain plug with, for example, a square or hex shape nut to an ergonomic drain plug. Embodiments of drain plug  100 , 200 ′, garboard light ring  400 , and drain plug systems  500 , 600  may enable a more enjoyable or convenient method of draining bilge water from a boat or vessel as a result of the ergonomic and visibility benefits of each. 
     Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations may be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.