Abstract:
A boat-supported water misting and cooling apparatus, the boat including tubular framework closely associated with the useful open areas of the boat. The apparatus includes a plurality of water misting nozzles each of which discharge pressurized water as a very fine mist. A flexible water (micro) tubing is operably connectable to each misting nozzle for dispensing pressurized water therefrom, the water tubing also being connectable at the other end thereof to a pressurized water source. Retaining clips are each connectable to a section of tubular framework to support the misting nozzles and water tubing adjacent each open area of the boat whereby mist discharging from the misting nozzles is distributed to cool occupants within each misting zone by evaporation substantially before skin or boat surface contact thus avoiding any substantial water buildup.

Description:
This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/150,308 filed Sep. 9, 1998. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Scope of Invention 
     This invention relates generally to boats and marine vessels, and more particularly to an apparatus attachable to the framework of such vessels which dispenses a very fine mist over the open areas thereof for cooling occupants without substantially wetting the boat itself. 
     2. Prior Art 
     A number of devices are known to applicant which spray either swimming pool water or fresh water into or adjacent a swimming pool primarily for visual effects or for water level replenishment within the swimming pool itself. The following U.S. patents apply thereto: 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,201,857 to Nix 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,217,161 to Souza 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,831,852 to Stillman 
     Other prior art teachings are shown in the following additional patents: 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,469,587 to Demeney 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,186 to Ballard 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,791,993 to Curran 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,337,136 to Strenkert 
     U.S. Pat. No. 917,157 to Sandham 
     However, none of the above prior art inventions teach the discharging of a very finely atomized water mist over the open area only for cooling individuals aboard a boat or other such beneficial purposes. 
     Chapin, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,606,157 teaches a suspended watering system which suspends an elongated water supplying main from a tensioned cable, the main being provided with a series of upstanding spray nozzles connected thereto, the nozzles being independently supported for proper orientation and discharge of water for irrigation purposes. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 4,788,791, Sprung has invented a cooling system for greenhouse structures which is attached to the outside surface of a greenhouse translucent screen fabric panel so that water spray is applied to the outer surfaces of the translucent screen fabric for cooling of the greenhouse structure. 
     There appears to be a need for an apparatus which dispenses a highly atomized very fine mist into the open areas of a boat which typically gets quite hot during the warmer seasonal months. By the dispensing of a highly atomized mist, both the air and the occupants in the open areas aboard the boat are cooled thereby as the mist or highly vaporized water more quickly evaporates than does any other form of water such as when sprayed or sprinkled onto the boat by conventional hose and nozzle means. The present invention responds fully to this need. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is directed to a boat-supported water misting and cooling apparatus, the boat including tubular framework closely associated with the useful open areas of the boat. The apparatus includes a plurality of water misting nozzles each of which discharge pressurized water as a very fine mist. A flexible water (micro) tubing is operably connectable to each misting nozzle for dispensing pressurized water therefrom, the water tubing also being connectable at the other end thereof to a pressurized water source. Retaining clips are each connectable to a section of tubular framework to support the misting nozzles and water tubing adjacent each open area of the boat whereby mist discharging from the misting nozzles is distributed to cool occupants within each misting zone by evaporation substantially before body contact thus avoiding any substantial water buildup. 
     It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an apparatus for dispersing a highly atomized very fine mist of water vapor into the open areas of a boat which cools occupants by evaporation without substantially wetting the skin or any surfaces of the boat. 
     It is yet another object of this invention to provide an easily installable system for dispersing very fine mist into the open areas of a boat for cooling of occupants therein. 
     It is still another object of this invention to provide attaching clips for supporting the misting nozzles of an apparatus for dispensing cooling mist into open areas of a boat, the retaining clips easily mechanically attachable to the existing tubular framework of the boat. 
     It is still another object of this invention to provide a misting apparatus for a boat which utilizes a separate water pump or a pressurized SCUBA tank as a source for pressurizing water dispensed as a cooling mist by the apparatus. 
     In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side elevation interior view of a portion of a screen enclosure surrounding a the swimming pool and adjacent deck area. 
     FIG. 2 is a typical cross section view through one frame member of the swimming pool cage or enclosure showing the preferred embodiment of the retaining clip and supportively connected misting nozzle and water conduit and further showing a separate elongated retaining clip installation tool used to facilitate apparatus installation while standing on the deck area or in the pool. 
     FIG. 3 is another cross section view taken through a typical frame member showing another embodiment of a retaining clip releasably attached thereto. 
     FIGS. 4 and 5 are section views similar to that of FIG. 3 showing still further embodiments of releasably engaged retaining clips. 
     FIG. 6 is a side elevation schematic view of another embodiment of the invention for use in conjunction with the open areas of a boat. 
     FIG. 7 is a side elevation schematic view similar to FIG. 6 which utilizes a SCUBA tank as a source of pressurizing water within the holding tank. 
     FIG. 8 is a typical end elevation view of a tubular framework of the boat such as that of a hand rail showing a misting nozzle and retaining clip attached thereto. 
     FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of FIG.  8 . 
     FIG. 10 is a side elevation partially broken view of a typical boat and its associated tubular framework and support structure onto which the invention is supportively attached. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     SWIMMING POOL CAGE-SUPPORTED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings, one embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 1 generally at numeral  10  and includes a plurality of retaining clip assemblies  12  as best seen in FIG. 2, each of which include a generally U-shaped clip or bracket  22  which is attached and inwardly (or downwardly) extends from one elongated rigid frame member D or E of a frame structure of a swimming pool cage or enclosure shown generally at numeral J. Opposing side portions  24  and  26  biasingly engage against the side surfaces of the frame member D for support, which support may be increased by the addition of a rubber sheet or adhesive strips. 
     Each of the retaining clip assemblies  12  include and support one fogger or misting nozzle  32  as best seen in FIG.  2 . These misting nozzles  32  are commercially available from the Dig Corporation of San Marcos, California in various sizes and degrees of water atomization, P/N43 fogger being preferred. 
     A length of flexible water (micro) tubing or conduit  14  (also available from Dig Corporation) is interconnected between each misting nozzle  32  and then connected at a lower end thereof to a supply of pressurized water from valve A. To insure proper pressurization, a regulating valve  16  which maintains a desired pressure and water flow rate is also provided. The preferred water pressure is a maximum of about 50 p.s.i. and preferably in the range of 25-30 p.s.i. Although fresh water is the preferred source of pressurized water from a municipal water supply, to conserve on fresh water use, an alternate water supply may be obtained by tapping into the outlet side of a water filter and circulation system (not shown) of a swimming pool C. Each said misting nozzle  32  delivers about 4-5 g.p.h. (gallons per hour) at 25-30 p.s.i. 
     To facilitate installation of each retaining clip assembly  12  which also preferably carries a misting nozzle  32 , an elongated retaining clip installation device  40  as best seen in FIG. 2 is provided. This installation device  40  includes spaced prongs or locating dowels  44  and  46  which axially extend from the distal end of an elongated lightweight plastic tubular handle  42 . The interior or inside diameter of the handle  42  is sized to somewhat closely fit around the outer periphery or diameter of the misting nozzle  32  to assist in the alignment of prongs  44  and  46  into mating holes  36  and  38  formed into the retaining clip  22 . Once the retaining clip  22  has been forcibly urged into the position shown in FIG.  2  and attached to the inward portion of the frame member D, the installation member  40  may be removed. By this accessory, an installer may stand on the deck area B of the swimming pool C (or in the pool) within the enclosure J of FIG.  1  and easily properly install each of the retaining clip assemblies  12 . A lower end (not shown) of the installation device  40  may be connected to another expandable pole for greater reach, if necessary. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 3 to  5 , alternate embodiments of retaining clips are shown at  48 ,  58  and  66 , respectively. Each of these retaining clips  48 ,  58  and  66  are formed of resilient semirigid material such as aluminum, stainless steel or plastic material with formed ends which mechanically engage and are biasingly held within channels L and M formed inwardly along the comers of each of the frame members D. These channels L and M are typically provided in the frame members D for the alternate intended purpose of retaining an edge of a flexible screen panel and ribbing material which locks the edge of the screen panel in place in a well-known manner. 
     Thusly, retaining clip  48  by its formed ends  50  and  52  mechanically and biasingly engage these grooves L and M while formed ends  60  and  62  of clip  58  and  68  and  70  of clip  66  accomplish this same releasable connection thereby. 
     Retaining clip  48  includes a hook  54  connected at  56  to the central lower portion of retaining clip  48 . This hook  54  may be utilized for supporting plants and other items of omamentality and the like as desired within a swimming pool cage enclosure. Clips  58  and  66  which include a downwardly formed central portion  64  and  72 , respectively which will support a segment of the water tubing  14  passed therethrough. Clip  66  is shown in a typical position in FIG. 1 for supporting longer portions of the water tubing  14 . 
     As previously noted, the primary purpose of the present invention is to dispense a cloud of finely vaporized mist into the air within the confines of a swimming pool screen enclosure. The invention takes advantage of the existing or included framework structure of such caged enclosures shown typically at J in FIG.  1 . By dispensing this finely atomized mist from essentially overhead within the screen enclosure, almost full evaporation of the mist occurs before it would settle onto any contents within the screened enclosure such as chaise lounges, tables, towels and other things typically found within such screened enclosures. The substantially full airborne evaporation of this fine mist occurring about the occupants, even when seated, cools the surrounding air rapidly and also may lightly collect to cool the skin of the occupants as well. 
     BOAT-SUPPORTED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to FIGS. 6 to  10 , another embodiment of the invention is shown generally at numeral  80  and is adapted to be connectable to the tubular framework and support structure of a boat B. This embodiment  80  includes a storage or holding tank assembly  82  having a fillable tank  86  and an array of misting nozzle assemblies  84 . The water storage tank assembly  82  includes a water filter  90  connectable to the outlet  88  of storage tank  86 . The outlet of filter  90  is connected to the inlet side of a pump  92  which is electrically engergized by a source of electrical power (not shown) available aboard the boat B. This electrical power source may either be of a 12 volt d.c. or a 110 a.c. nature. A FLOJET Model 2100-12 type IV is preferred. 
     The fluid outlet of pump  92  is in the form of a highly pressurized water flow as measured and regulated by gauge  94 , the outlet of which is directed to the proximal ends of a plurality of lengths of flexible water tubing  96  via a manifold  95 . The water tubing  96  is concealingly deployed along support sections and tubular handrails of the boat in an unobtrusive fashion. Water flow into each of the lengths of water tubing  96  are preferably controlled by a separate valve  98 . Electric control mechanisms for the pump  92  may include a preferred time delay switch for water conservation and a foot-actuated power control switch. 
     Disposed at the distal end  100  of each of the lengths of water tubing  96  is a misting nozzle  102  similar to that previously described. The water pressure at gauge  94  is maintained by pump  92  to deliver pressurized water for dispensing through each of the misting nozzles  102  in the range of about a maximum of 50 p.s.i. 
     As seen in FIG. 10, the storage tank assembly  82  is typically deployed atop the deck area of the boat with the pump  92  connected to an appropriate electrical power source (not shown) aboard the boat B as previously described. An array of misting nozzles shown typically at  102  are either permanently or releasably attached to various segments of the tubular framework of the boat B shown typically at A. The tubular framework A on such a boat B is in the form of a handrail or bowrail, support structure for the hard top and tuna tower T of the boat B and the like. Additionally, a portion of the misting nozzles  102  may be attached directly to unobtrusive portions of the boat structure such as a comer of the gunnel at C. 
     As best seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, a resilient plastic clip  104  biasingly engages over the typical tubular framework A and supports the water tubing distal end portion  100  and misting nozzle  102  by a conventional clip  106  and mechanical threaded fastener  108 . 
     By this arrangement, a suitable array of misting nozzles  102  are positionable around each of the open occupied areas of the boat B during fishing, sunbathing and the like so as to dispense a fine mist of water vapor which is substantially fully evaporated on and about the occupants of each open area before substantial wetting of the boat surfaces such as the deck, windshield and super structure of the boat B occurs. The effect of this misting arrangement is to quickly cool the occupants of each of the open areas being misted by the invention without substantial wetting of either the occupants or the nearby surface areas of the boat B themselves. 
     Referring particularly to FIG. 7, an alternate embodiment of the water storage tank assembly is there shown generally at numeral  104 . The storage tank  106  is connectable at  114  to a SCUBA tank  108  containing highly pressurized air. Such a SCUBA tank  108  is typically found associated with boats for SCUBA diving and is selected as an alternate pressure source on the basis of ready availability thereof. 
     The SCUBA tank  108  includes a first stage pressure regulator  110  which reduces the outlet pressure of the air within the SCUBA tank  108 , when fully charged with compressed air, from about 3,000 p.s.i. down to 150 p.s.i. A gauge  112  is also provided to further reduce the air pressure being delivered into the water storage tank to be in the range of about 50 to 60 p.s.i. The water tank outlet  116  is connectable to a water conduit  118  which is, in turn, connectable to the array of misting nozzles  102  as previously described in FIG.  6 . By this arrangement, the SCUBA tank  108  easily delivers an excellent and economical and self-sufficient source of compressed air into the water storage tank  106  on a continuous basis and typically for the duration of a typical outing aboard the boat B. 
     Should the water supply within tank  86  of FIG. 6 be depleted, the connection to the outlet  88  may be disconnected and reconnected to the chilled water in a food or beverage cooler which has resulted from the melting of ice therein. The obvious additional benefit of chilled water being discharged from misting nozzles  102  is substantial. 
     While the instant invention has been shown and described herein in what are conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is therefore not to be limited to the details disclosed herein, but is to be afforded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent apparatus and articles.