Abstract:
A livewell tank for use on a boat is provided having a bottom and a sidewall section forming an interior compartment. A top is coupled with the sidewall section and extends inwardly to cover the interior compartment about the periphery of the sidewall section. An overflow drain is located proximate the top of the tank and a baffle inhibiting turbulent flow is positioned between the overflow drain and the bottom of the tank.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     “Not Applicable” 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     “Not Applicable” 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to livewell for use on a boat to hold fish and more particularly to a livewell tank for preventing sloshing in the tank to protect the well being of the fish held within the livewell tank. 
     In fishing tournaments, fish are commonly caught and maintained in a live condition and released back into the lake once the fish have been weighed, photographed and the like. For this and a number of other reasons, many fishing boats are provided with livewells for maintaining fish in good living condition for extended periods of time. 
     Livewells generally include a livewell tank of sufficient size to retain a number of fish. Typically, the tank is coupled with at least one pump drawing water from the surrounding lake into the tank. At the inlet of the tube pumping water to the livewell tank, an air supply tube may be fitted with the inlet tube to mix air with the incoming water to provide oxygen to the fish within the tank. Additional pumps may be used in case the initial pump fails or to provide a recirculation circuit to aerate the water in the tank when fresh water is not being pulled into the tank. Conventional valves and controls are used to control the function of each pump and control whether fresh water is being pulled from the lake, recirculation is occurring, or both. 
     Typically, livewell tanks are only partially filled with water in operation for a number of reasons such as preventing water from flowing outwardly from tanks through an outflow drain or over the sides of the tank as the boat moves. However, the unfilled space at the top of the livewell tank creates a number of problems. Primarily, when the boat is moving, the empty space in the tank leads to water turbulence in the tank. The water tends to slosh about within and buffet against the sidewalls of the tank. Consequently, the fish within the tank are forced in motion along flow of the water and, at times, strike against the walls of the tank. This instability places the well being of the fish in danger and leads to diminished survival rates. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a livewell tank for preventing water within the livewell tank from adversely affecting the fish within the livewell when the boat is in motion. 
     In accordance with the foregoing and other objects evident from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, a livewell is provided which includes a bottom, a sidewall section, a top and an overflow drain. The sidewall section is coupled with and upstanding from the bottom at a first end to define an interior compartment. At a second end of the sidewall section, a peripheral edge is presented. The top is coupled with the second end of the sidewalls section and has on opening for receiving fish. The top includes a first surface projecting inwardly from the peripheral edge of the sidewall section a portion of the interior compartment. The overflow drain is coupled with the sidewall section proximate the top of the tank. 
     In another aspect, the livewell tank of the present invention includes a bottom, a sidewall section, a top and a baffle. The sidewall section is coupled with and upstanding from the bottom at a first end to define an interior compartment. At a second end of the sidewall section, a peripheral edge is presented. The top is coupled with the second end of the sidewalls section and has on opening for receiving fish. The top includes a first surface projecting inwardly from the peripheral edge of the sidewall section a portion of the interior compartment. The baffle is coupled with the sidewall section and extends inwardly into the interior compartment. 
     By providing a livewell tank capable of operating with a full or nearly full volume of water in accordance with the present invention, numerous advantages are achieved. First, the water within the tank does not exit through the overflow drain or over the top of the sidewalls of the well and onto the deck of the boat. The elimination of the space at the top of the tank reduces the turbulent flow within the tank and the sloshing and buffeting of the water associated with the turbulence. Second, the fish are maintained in a relatively stable system of water that is more suitable to maintaining the well being of the fish and increasing the likelihood that the fish will survive their time in the livewell. Third, the livewell of the present invention may be incorporated with conventional pump systems and integrated within the conventional boat decks. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
     The objects and features of the invention noted above are explained in more detail with reference to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the attached drawing figures, in which like reference numerals denote like elements, and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a livewell tank according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, horizontal cross sectional view of livewell tank of FIG. 2 illustrating the livewell assembled with the deck of the boat; 
     FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the livewell tank of FIG. 2 with the hatch and boat deck shown in phantom lines; and 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the livewell tank of FIG. 3 with the hatch and boat deck shown in phantom lines. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the drawing figures in greater detail, and initially to FIG. 1, an exemplary livewell tank designated by reference numeral  10  is shown. 
     With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, livewell tank  10  has a bottom  12 , a top  14 , and a sidewall section  16  extending between the bottom  12  and top  14  to define an interior compartment  15  for holding water. In a preferred embodiment, the tank is integrally molded from a durable plastic material such as a low weight polyethylene. 
     Bottom  12  is generally planar and typically rests on the hull of the boat or a lower wall of a box enclosing the livewell tank. Sidewall section  16  extends upwardly from bottom  12 . Sidewall section includes a generally planar front wall  18 . On one side of front wall  18 , an outwardly extending portion  20  is located and a generally planar side wall  22  is located on the opposing side of front wall  18 . In the preferred embodiment, the cross sectional profile of the sidewall section  16  is generally constant from the front to back of the tank and the back wall is generally planar. 
     Front wall  18  is directed toward the bow, or forward part, of the boat when the livewell is placed within the boat and secured to the deck as described below. A first cylindrical extension  24  is located near the base of front wall  18 . A first recirculation hose  26  is secured to a fitting  27  in communication with the interior compartment. A second cylindrical extension  28  is located near the base of front wall  18  opposite first extension  24 . A lower drain hose (not shown) may be coupled with this extension if desired. 
     At a position preferably above the center of front wall  18 , a third fitting extension  30  is defined. A water supply hose  32  is coupled with livewell  10  at a fitting  31  in communication with the interior of the compartment. A pump pulls water through an inlet located on the exterior hull of the boat below the water level and provides water through hose  32 . An air supply hose  33  is secured to hose  32  near front wall  18  to intermix oxygen with the incoming water to aerate the water within the livewell. Hose  32  may be coupled with recirculation hose  26  through a series of controllable valves to create a recirculation circuit as understood in the field of livewells. 
     Near the top of front wall  18 , an overflow drain hose  34  extends from the tank at a fitting  35 . In the preferred embodiment, the aperture through fitting  35  is in close proximity to the top  14  of livewell  10 . On the opposite side of front wall  18 , a second water supply hose  36  is coupled with the livewell at a fitting  39 . A second pump in communication with the water surrounding the boat supplies water through hose  36 . As water is pulled through hose  36 , air is introduce through air supply hose  37  coupled with fitting  35 . 
     The outwardly extending portion  20  of sidewall section has a generally semicircular cross section at the terminal end. The shape of portion  20  and position near bottom  12  defines a wide area for fish to maneuver near the base of livewell  10 . Preferably, the elongated distance of the well from the end of portion  20  to the opposing sidewall is about two feet, and is most preferably about twenty-five inches. The preferred height of the tank from top to bottom is about one and a half feet. However, the shape and dimensions of the side wall section may vary without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     A baffle  38  is formed about the periphery of sidewall section  16  below top  14  and overflow hose  34 . Preferably, baffle  38  extends completely around the sidewall section  16  and includes a flat, lower surface  40  and an upper, curved surface  42  defining an baffle space therebetween. For a tank having a height of about one and a half feet, upper surface  42  of baffle  38  is located about five inches from top  14  and extends a distance of about two to three inches into the interior of the tank compartment. Alternatively, the baffle may be formed by other structures extending into the interior of the tank such as a single surface or ledge. Moreover, the baffle may extend about a portion rather than the entirety of the sidewall section of the livewell. 
     Top  14  is secured to the upper edge of sidewall section  16  and includes a mounting flange  46  and a upwardly extending sealing flange  48 . Mounting flange  46  is defined by a lower ledge surface  50  projecting outwardly from the top of sidewall section  46  and an upper surface  52  projecting inwardly with respect to the sidewall section  16 . Thus, the upper surface covers the interior compartment about the upper peripheral edge of the sidewall section. In a preferred embodiment, the upper surface extends inwardly into the compartment about the entire upper peripheral edge of the sidewall section at a distance of about two inches inside of the upper peripheral edge  44  of top of sidewall section  16 . The upper surface  52  is preferably about three to four inches in length from the bend in the mounting flange  46  to the sealing flange  48 . 
     Sealing flange  48  is preferably formed normally with respect to upper surface  52  and defines a central opening  49  for ingress and egress of fish from the water within the tank compartment. In a preferred embodiment, opening  49  is generally rectangular, but may vary particularly, for instance, depending on the shape of the sidewall section. 
     With reference to FIG. 2, the mounting flange  46  and sealing flange  48  are shown in relation with to boat deck  56 . Deck  56  includes an upper layer  58 , preferably formed from aluminum, and a lower layer  60 , preferably formed from wood. Upper layer  58  has an engaging surface  54  defining an opening slightly larger than opening  49  and corresponding closely in shape to opening  49 . To assemble livewell  10  within deck  56 , the rectangular sealing flange  48  is placed within the opening defined by engaging surface  54 . 
     Once in position, engaging surface  54  is in contact with flange  48 . Likewise, lower layer  60  of the boat deck  56  contacts upper surface  52  of mounting ledge  46 . Upper surface  52  of mounting flange  46  may be secured the deck surface  54  by mechanical fastening means, adhesives, or other fastening methods. For example, for fiberglass boat decks, the mounting flange of the livewell could be secured to the fiberglass deck surface underlying the fiberglass and a laminate applied over the surfaces of the livewell. 
     As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a collar  64  is placed over ring  48  and the corresponding portion of upper layer  58 . Collar  64  is sized to received the corresponding sealing flange  48  and deck surface  48 . The collar is preferably made from a resilient plastic material and is mechanical secured to the ring and deck surface by at least one rivets  64  as shown in FIG.  2 . Preferably, a layer of caulk  67  is placed at common surfaces of collar  64 , sealing flange  48  and the corresponding engaging surface  54  of the deck to insure a watertight seal. 
     As seen in FIG. 2, a closeable hatch  66  may overlays the collar  64  to cover opening  49 . Hatch  66  has an upper layer  68  preferably formed from aluminum and a lower layer  70  preferably formed from a material such as foam or foam rubber. The hatch is rotatable mounted at a one of side of the livewell as conventional in the art. When hatch  66  is pivoted into proximity with livewell  10 , a seal is formed between the lower layer  70  and collar  64 . Likewise, a downwardly extending flange  72  of upper layer  68  is received within a recess area  74  of the deck surrounding the livewell. A releasable mechanical fastening means (not shown) such as a latch may be used to force the hatch and collar into connection with one another. 
     In operation, water is supplied to the livewell through water supply hoses  32  and/or  34  by pumps conventional in livewell devices. The water level is maintain throughout almost the entirety of the tank due to the location of overflow hose  34  near the top of the sidewall section  16 . When the boat is placed in forward motion, the stern (or rear) of the boat lowers into the water and livewell  10  is similar tipped from a generally horizontal orientation. Due to the change in orientation and the acceleration of the boat in the forward direction, water in the well tends to move rearwardly with respect to front sidewall  18 . The placement of the overflow drain fitting and hose  34  at the front of the livewell prevents these forces from forcing water out of the tank and creating the harmful effects of turbulence. Baffle  38  and lower ledge  50  further prevent disruptive flow within the livewell tank. Any water with the tank that reaches opening  49  despite these measures is prevented from exiting the tank due to the sealing flange  48  and watertight connection between hatch  66  and collar  64 . The same preventive measures alone and in combination tend to prevent disruptive flow from developing as the boat cruises and when the boats slows and tends to return to a level plane. 
     From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with the other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. 
     Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative of applications of the principles of this invention, and not in a limiting sense.