Abstract:
A seat mounting assembly is provided for attachment to a transverse bench-style seat of a fishing or Jon-type boat. The seat mounting assembly is quickly and easily attached to the bench-style seat such that the seat mounting assembly allows a seat attached thereto to, both, slide longitudinally to the transverse bench seat and be selectively locked into place, such that the seat cannot move relative to the transverse bench. The unique interface of the base and the rails of the seat mounting assembly helps ensure that the seat mounting assembly will not tip relative to the bench-style seat, while the low profile design of the seat mounting assembly helps keep that center of gravity of a boat to which the seat mounting assembly is installed substantially unchanged.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]    The subject invention generally pertains to a seat mounting assembly adapted to be mounted to a transverse bench-style seat of a fishing or Jon-type boat, such that the seat mounting assembly allows a seat attached thereto to slide longitudinally relative to the transverse bench seat and be selectively locked into place such that the seat cannot move relative to the transverse bench. 
       BACKGROUND OF RELATED ART  
       [0002]    Many fishing and Jon-type boats are factory-equipped with backless, bench-style seats that are uncomfortable and are permanently fixed in place, giving the user little flexibility when it comes to seating. Consequently, some fishermen have added more comfortable and functional seats to their fishing boats. 
         [0003]    There are a variety of seat clamp assemblies available for attaching a more comfortable, backed fisherman&#39;s seat and associated swivel mechanism to a fishing or Jon-type boat. One option is to simply attach the more comfortable fisherman&#39;s seat, with or without a swivel-type base, to the existing bench-style seat. While this option provides a more comfortable seat, the seat is fixed relative to the bench-style seat (it cannot slide longitudinally relative to the bench-style seat). It may be desirable to move the attached fisherman&#39;s seat longitudinally along the bench-style seat to put the fisherman&#39;s seat in a more comfortable position for operating the motor or fishing or hunting on a particular side of the boat. 
         [0004]    An alternative to simply attaching a fisherman&#39;s seat to a transverse bench-style seat is the seat clamp assembly disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,718,365, which shows a seat attachment assembly that is detachably secured to the sides of a boat, such that the seat rests above the height of the boat. Although such an assembly does offer certain improvements over factory-installed bench seats, it has numerous drawbacks. 
         [0005]    First, because the seat rests so high relative to the boat (above the sides of the boat), it raises the center of gravity of the boat, thereby making the boat less stable in the water and more likely to capsize. Second, because the seat attachment assembly is attached to the sides of the boat, there is nothing to support the area under the seat (and the fisherman), creating a potentially hazardous situation should one of the rails or attachment screws fail. There is no structure of any substance for supporting the combined weight of the seat and the fisherman, putting tremendous stress on the rails and attachment screws. Third, the seat attachment assembly is only secured to the sides of the boat via set screws that do not extend into or through the boat itself, leaving opportunity for the screw and seat attachment assembly to slip out of engagement with the boat. Finally, there is no provision for locking the seat base (and attached seat) into place relative to the rails, which means that the seat base (and attached seat) can slide side-to-side while in use if the boat shifts or rocks in the water, thereby creating an unsafe condition. 
         [0006]    Another seat clamp assembly is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,709,648, which shows a seat attachment assembly that includes a single rod on which a seat bracket can both slide and rotate. The single rod is fixedly attached to a lateral face of the factory-installed bench seat, such that when a seat is attached to the seat bracket, the seat can slide along the rod and move longitudinally relative to the bench seat. The rod also serves as an axis of rotation, allowing the seat to be rotated between an operative and an inoperative position. The seat clamp assembly of U.S. Pat. No. 4,709,648 offers limited improvements over factory-installed bench seats, but it also has numerous drawbacks. 
         [0007]    First, there is no provision for locking the seat of U.S. Pat. No. 4,709,648 into place relative to the rod, which means that the seat can slide side-to-side (longitudinally along the bench seat) while in use if the boat shifts or rocks in the water, thereby creating an unsafe condition. Second, the back portion of the seat base, or attached seat, is not secured to the boat or bench seat, which means that the seat can flip forward about the rod. If a user is sitting in the seat and the boat stops suddenly or slows quickly, the seat could flip forward and eject the user from the seat—an obviously unsafe, undesirable phenomenon. Furthermore, the seat can swivel, which means that if a user swivels the seat one hundred eighty degrees to face backwards in the boat, the user could flip the seat over by simply leaning backwards in the seat—another unsafe, undesirable occurrence. Third, the seat base rests directly on the top panel of the bench seat such that friction between the top panel and the seat base may make the seat and seat base difficult to slide. In addition, this sliding movement may scrape, scratch, or otherwise damage the top panel of the bench seat. Finally, many transverse bench-style seats do not have front and back panels situated below and perpendicular to the top panel. Many seats are simply a flat, relatively thin member (a piece of wood or metal) extending across the sides of the boat with no structure underneath them. Seat clamp assembly of U.S. Pat. No. 4,709,648 must be attached to a front or back panel and would not work for the many boats with a piece of relatively thin wood or metal as its transverse bench-style seat. 
         [0008]    Yet another seat clamp assembly for use with a bench seat of a boat is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,432,525, which shows a complicated assembly intended to allow an attached seat to move longitudinally along the transverse bench seat. The disclosed seat clamp assembly includes a wheeled carriage, springs, and threaded rods, among other components, making the assembly quite complex and bulky. Because of all the components included in the assembly, a seat attached thereto sits very high relative to the boat, which, when sat on, alters the center of gravity of the boat and makes it more unstable in the water. Furthermore, the large number of parts included in the seat clamp assembly makes it difficult to assemble and increases the likelihood that that the assembly will not function as intended. 
         [0009]    A final seat clamp assembly is manufactured by Action Products Company and sold under the trade name “Release-A-Seat” (Model Number 5498 or 5498L). Other companies, such as Wise, Swivl-Eze, and Springfield Marine Company, may also manufacture and distribute a seat clamp assembly that is substantially identical to that sold under the “Release-A-Seat” trade name. Given the substantial identity between this variety of seat clamp assemblies, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the weaknesses and drawbacks of the “Release-A-Seat,” as discussed in the following paragraph, apply to these substantially identical seat clamp assemblies, as well. 
         [0010]    As the name implies, a primary goal of the “Release-A-Seat” seat clamp assembly is that the seat base and attached seat be quick and easy to remove from the boat. Because the seat base and attached seat is removed at one of the two ends of the seat clamp assembly, a substantial gap must exist between the two ends of the seat clamp assembly and the two side walls of the boat. As such, the seat clamp assembly cannot span a substantial portion of the space between the boat&#39;s side walls, which results in limited travel of the seat base and attached seat. Also, the rear edge of the “Release-A-Seat” seat base directly contacts and slides on the top panel of the bench, and the friction that results from this contact may make seat base and attached seat difficult to slide and may scratch, scrape, or otherwise damage the top panel. Furthermore, the “Release-A-Seat” provides no means for positively locking the seat base (and attached seat) into place, which means that they can slide side-to-side while in use, if the boat shifts or rocks in the water. Finally, a portion of a front rail hangs over the front edge of the top panel, which forces the seat to be positioned near the front edge of the bench seat, instead of at the center on the bench seat. Of course, the most safe and stable position for an after-market seat is at, or near, the center of the factory-installed bench seat. 
         [0011]    Due to the weaknesses and deficiencies inherent with existing seat clamp assemblies, a need exists for a seat clamp assembly that overcomes the limitations and drawbacks of existing systems. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a fragmentary perspective view of a typical lightweight fishing or Jon-type boat with a seat mounting assembly operatively installed on one of the transverse, bench-style seats of the boat. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is fragmentary perspective view of the seat mounting assembly. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the seat mounting assembly. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a sectional profile view taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0016]      FIGS. 1-4  show a seat mounting assembly  12  for use with a fishing or Jon-type boat  2 . Seat mounting assembly  12  is adapted to be secured directly to a top panel  8  of a transverse, bench-style seat  6  that is typically factory-installed in boat  2 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , factory-installed, bench-style seat  6  is typically a simple, boxy seat that extends between side walls  4   a  and  4   b  of boat  2 . Although bench-style seat  6  is functional, it is also uncomfortable and offers little positioning flexibility for boaters. 
         [0017]    Seat mounting assembly  12  comprises a first rail  14 , a second rail  16 , a seat base  18 , and a locking mechanism  30 . A first channel, or groove,  36  is formed in a lower surface of seat base  18  such that first rail  14  can be inserted into first channel  36 . Clearance exists between first channel  36  and first rail  14  such that seat base  18  can slide relative to first rail  14 . Similarly, a second channel, or groove,  38  is formed in the lower surface of seat base  18  substantially parallel to first channel  36 , such that second rail  16  can be inserted into second channel  38 . Again, clearance exists between second channel  38  and second rail  16  such that seat base  18  can slide relative to second rail  16 . Because channels  36  and  38  are substantially parallel, they force rails  14  and  16  to have a substantially parallel relationship, which, coupled with the clearance that exists between the channels and the rails, enables seat base  18  to slide freely along rails  14  and  16 . 
         [0018]    The cross-sectional geometry of first channel  36  and the cross-sectional geometry of second channel  38  are substantially identical. Furthermore, the cross-sectional geometry of first rail  14  and the cross-sectional geometry of second rail  16  are substantially identical. As such, first rail  14  can be interchanged with second rail  16  and seat base  18  will still be able to slide along the length of the rails. This relationship is shown clearly in the cross-sectional end view of  FIG. 4 . 
         [0019]    The unique geometry of rails  14  and  16  and corresponding mating channels  36  and  38  prevent seat base  18  from pulling out of rails  14  and  16 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , width, w 1 , of the upper surface of second rail  16  is greater than width, w 2 , of the lower surface of second rail  16 . The same is true of first rail  14  and of corresponding mating channels  38  and  36 . This relationship prevents base  18  from pulling out of rails  14  and  16 , no matter how a user shifts his weight in seat  10  or otherwise leans on seat  10 . No matter how forces that may tend to tip seat  10  (attached to seat base  18 ) are applied to the seat, seat base  18  will not pull out, or tip off of, rails  14  and  16 , which are securely fastened to top panel  8  of bench-style seat  6 . 
         [0020]    Also shown in  FIG. 4  is the low profile of seat mount assembly  12 . Put differently, seat mount assembly  12  has a very low height, or thickness, which is advantageous because seat assembly  12  will raise the center of gravity of boat  2 , in which the seat mount assembly is mounted, only very minimally. Seat base  18  and rails  14  and  16  are all preferably made of approximately one-half inch thick aluminum, giving seat mount assembly an overall height, or thickness, of only approximately three-quarters of an inch. Although the components of seat mount assembly  12  may be comprised of materials other than aluminum (such as plastic, composite, or other metals), aluminum is the preferred material of manufacture because of its combination of low weight, and corrosion resistance. The light weight and low profile of seat mount assembly  12  enable seat mount assembly  12  to minimally alter the center of gravity of boat  2 , allowing the boat to remain stable and unlikely to capsize. 
         [0021]    Also shown clearly in  FIG. 4  is that seat base  18  would be spaced apart from top panel  8  to which seat mount assembly  12  is to be attached. When seat mount assembly  12  is installed in boat  2 , a bottom surface of rails  14  and  16  will be in direct contact with top panel  8 . Rails  14  and  16  will then keep a bottom surface of seat base  18  elevated above top panel  8 , such that seat base  18  does not contact top panel  8 . This relationship between seat base  18  and top panel  8  ensures that no friction exists between the two components, allowing seat base  18  to slide freely and easily along rails  14  and  16 . Furthermore, because seat base  18  does not contact top panel  8 , it will not scratch, scrape, or otherwise damage the top panel. 
         [0022]    First rail  14  and second rail  16  include a plurality of rail mounting holes  20  for purposes of attaching the rails (and the seat mounting assembly) to top panel  8  of bench-style seat  6 . With seat mounting assembly  12  positioned on top panel  8  such that first rail  14  and second rail  16  are substantially perpendicular to sides  4   a  and  4   b  of boat  2 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , a plurality of screws  28 , which are preferably standard sheet metal screws, is inserted through rail mounting holes  20  and driven into top panel  8 . Once the plurality of screws  28  is tightened in place, first rail  14  and second rail  16  will be held securely to top panel  8  such that the rails will not move relative to top panel  8 . The plurality of rail mounting holes  20  is preferably countersunk, as shown in  FIG. 4 , so that the heads of screws  28  will be recessed and will not interfere with the sliding movement of seat base  18  along rails  14  and  16 . 
         [0023]    Because seat mount assembly  12  is attached to top panel  8  of bench-style seat  6  only by plurality of screws  28  and most consumers are skilled enough to install several standard machine screws, installation of seat mount assembly  12  is extremely quick and easy. Furthermore, direct attachment of seat mount assembly  12  to top panel  8  enables seat mount assembly  12  to be used with any bench-style seat, including enclosed seats with lower front and back panels, as shown in  FIG. 1 , and open seats that may comprise a simple board or piece of metal extending across the two boat side walls (with no structure below it). Even though not all bench-style seats have front and back lower panels, all bench-style seats have a top panel. The current seat mount assembly capitalizes on this consistency. Finally, seat mount assembly  12  can also be used with split bench-style seats, as rails  14  and  16  can span any gap that may exist. Seat mount assembly  12  gives a user a tremendous amount of flexibility when it comes to after-market seating. 
         [0024]    First rail  14  and second rail  16  are secured directly to top panel  8  and because seat mount assembly  12  has a low profile, when installed in boat  2  seat mount assembly  12  is extremely stable. The combined weight of seat mount assembly  12 , seat  10  (attached to seat mount assembly  12 ), and an operator sitting on seat  10  will be transmitted substantially directly to bench seat  6 . Furthermore, because first rail  14  and second rail  16  are fastened directly to top panel  8  of bench seat  6 , first and second rail,  14  and  16  respectively, will not bend or bow under the combined weight of seat  10  and an operator sitting on seat  10 . In addition, direct attachment of first rail  14  and second rail  16  to top panel  8  adds strength to top panel  8  and bench seat  6 . 
         [0025]    Seat base  18  also includes a plurality of seat mounting holes  26  for purposes of mounting a fishing seat  10  or an intermediate member. It is known in the art to attach fishing seat  10  to a base member via bolts, nuts, or other available fasteners. It is also known in the art to attach intermediate members (not shown, but members between a base member and a seat) to a base member, wherein those intermediate members can include a swivel base, a quick release mechanism, or a combination thereof. These known intermediate members make traditional fishing seat  10  more useful and are typically attached to a base member via bolts, nuts, or other known fasteners. 
         [0026]    Seat base  18  includes an extension tab  40  on which a first positioning hole  24  is located. Extension tab  40  projects off of one side of seat base  18  so that a first positioning hole  24  can still be accessed even when seat  10  is affixed to seat base  18 . 
         [0027]    First rail  14  includes a plurality of second positioning holes  22  for locking seat base  18  into position relative to rail  14 , so that the base can no longer slide relative to rail  14 . Once first positioning hole  24  is aligned with one of the plurality of second positioning holes  22  (such that the holes are coaxial), a locking mechanism  30  may be inserted through the coaxial holes, thereby preventing base seat  18  from sliding along first rail  14 . Locking mechanism  30  preferably includes a shaft  34  for insertion into positioning holes  24  and  22  and an upper gripping portion  32  adapted to be grasped by hand to remove or insert locking mechanism  30 . Although only first rail  14  is shown with a plurality of second positioning holes  22 , second rail  16  may also include plurality of second positioning holes  22 , thereby making first rail  14  and second rail  16  identical, potentially simplifying their manufacture. 
         [0028]    Locking mechanism  30  is shown in  FIG. 2  as a loose component for illustrative purposes, but it may be desirable for locking mechanism  30  to be attached to seat mount assembly  12 . This attachment means could be as simple as tethering locking mechanism  30  to seat base  18 , first rail  14 , or second rail  16  via a short cable or chain. Or, preferably, locking mechanism  30  is a standard, commercially available pop-pin, with an outer sleeve welded or otherwise attached to seat base  18  in the vicinity of first positioning hole  24 . A pop-pin also enables shaft  34  and gripping portion  32  to be spring-biased downward toward a locked position, making positioning and locking seat base  18  into place a very easy process. 
         [0029]    Once seat mount assembly  12  is installed in boat  2 , and seat  10  is attached to seat base  18 , seat mount assembly  12  is extremely easy to use. A user slides seat  10  along a longitudinal axis of bench seat  6 , wherein the longitudinal axis is substantially perpendicular to side walls  4   a  and  4   b  of boat  2 . In some instances the user may wish to sit near side of boat  4   a,  while in other instances the user may wish to sit near side of boat  4   b,  and in yet other instances the user may wish to sit in the center of the boat, depending on what activity the user is doing (e.g., operating a boat motor, fishing, hunting). Seat mount assembly  12  makes it easy for a user to position seat  10  in any of these positions, as the user can simply slide base  18  (and attached seat  10 ) along rails  14  and  16 , until seat  10  is in a desired position. Furthermore, because rails  14  and  16  are adapted to span substantially the entire space between boat side walls  4   a  and  4   b,  seat  10  and seat base  18  can travel a great distance, providing maximum positioning flexibility. 
         [0030]    Once seat  10  is in the desired position, the user will make a final, fine adjustment to align first positioning hole  24  with one of plurality of second positioning holes  22  and will then insert locking mechanism  30  into the aligned positioning holes, thereby locking base  18  and attached seat  10  into place. With seat  10  and seat base  18  locked into place, they cannot slide relative to rails  14  and  16 , and seat  10  is safe to use. 
         [0031]    To move seat  10  into a different position, locking mechanism  30  is simply withdrawn from positioning holes  24  and  22 , allowing seat base  18  (and attached seat  10 ) to slide freely along rails  14  and  16 . Once seat base  18  and seat  10  are in a new desired position, locking mechanism  10  is reinserted through first positioning hole  24  and another of the plurality of second positioning holes  22 , thereby locking seat base  18  and seat  10  into the new desired position. 
         [0032]    Although the invention is described with respect to a preferred embodiment, modifications thereto will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The scope of the invention, therefore, is to be determined by reference to the following claims: