Abstract:
A boat including a hull with a cockpit section, and a rear cabin section normally concealed by a horizontally extending cushioned deck element located adjacent the stern. The deck element is hinged along its rear edge so as to be elevatable to expose a sunken floor wherein sink and toilet facilities may be provided. An enclosure for the rear cabin area may be deployed to provide privacy for changing clothes or using the toilet. In combination with the sunken floor, the height of the enclosure permits a person to stand erect and move about freely. A portable toilet may be stored under a captain&#39;s chair immediately in front of the rear cabin area and slid rearwardly for use in the rear cabin area as needed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to boats powered by outboard or so called “I/O” engines. The invention provides for a multi-purpose cabin adjacent the stern of the boat, which cabin is covered by a cushioned deck immediately over and extending forwardly of the engine, with at least part of the cushioned deck hinged so that when the hinged part is raised upwardly, the cabin is readily accessible to adults thereby providing utility space for privacy, for a sink, for cutting boards, for a refrigerator, for a toilet, and/or other such amenities. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Cruisers and yachts, usually more than 30′ in length, commonly have toilet facilities with “stand-up” entry as well as separate kitchen and sleeping areas. Even some smaller runabouts have underdeck sleeping areas, toilet facilities and kitchens, and some pontoon and deck boats have “fold-up” dressing rooms and even above deck cabin areas. However, there remained a need for a design that provided “convertible space” for “stand-up” kitchen and toilet facilities, as well as adequate cushioned deck for sleeping or sunbathing. The object of this invention is to satisfy that need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore a primary object of the instant inventive concepts to provide a boat having a cushioned deck or the like over an area adjacent the stern, which area is readily converted to an enlarged rear cabin having sink and toilet facilities and being selectively enclosable for privacy in use. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide a boat having a canopy and a rear sunbathing deck, covering a cabin area convertible to an enclosable dressing area of sufficient height to permit a user to stand fully erect and move about comfortably. 
     A further object of this invention is the provision of a boat having an area covered by a cushioned deck, normally hidden from view which contains a sink for food preparation and the like, a hidden portable toilet, and a surroundable enclosure to selectively conceal occupants of the area during use. 
     Consistent with the foregoing objects, this invention provides a boat with a seating cockpit toward the front, a driving area to one side of the cockpit containing a captain&#39;s seat and equipment to operate the boat, and a cushioned deck extending across the rear of the boat between the stern and cockpit. The deck is normally horizontal in use, positioned above the boat engine, and incorporates a hinged portion to expose an enclosed area with a sunken floor to provide increased height to a fully enclosable rear cabin area. 
     On one side of the rear cabin area, normally hidden by the cushioned deck, a sink and food preparation area may be provided. Compartments are provided on either side of the engine area for storage of ice chests, food, serving implements, clothing or the like, and are accessible from the rear cabin area when the hinged portion of the cushioned deck has been raised. 
     The side of the rear cabin area immediately behind the captain&#39;s seat accommodates a portable potty which may be concealed beneath the captain&#39;s seat and slid rearwardly into the enclosable cabin area when desired. 
     In order to provide privacy to the rear cabin area for changing clothes or use of the toilet facilities, a canopy with closable sides may be provided of a height sufficient, in combination with the sunken rear cabin floor, for a normal person to stand fully erect and move freely therewithin. The sides of the enclosure may include transparent windows with rolled up opaque curtains to provide complete privacy to the rear cabin area. Alternatively, an enclosure may be hung on the canopy support rods, with vertically extending closable openings for access and ventilation. In either event, the rear cabin area can be provided with complete privacy for use of the toilet facilities or changing clothes. Additionally, with the cushioned deck horizontal and the enclosure in place, the rear cabin area is suited to sleeping. 
     The rear cabin area below the cushioned deck may be separated from the forward section by a sliding panel which may be removed when the deck is lifted to provide a passageway. The panel may be replaced to lock the area. 
     Immediately adjacent the transom of the boat, if adapted to be driven by an outboard engine, is a storage area for batteries, rigging access and the like, and on either side of this area are enclosed pods filled with flotation material. These pods are covered by decking, and provide the areas thereabove for storage accessible from the rear cabin area. 
    
    
     These and other objects of the invention, as well as many of the intended advantages thereof, will become more readily apparent when reference is made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts in the different embodiments. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of a boat according to the present invention illustrating a forward seating cockpit and front fishing deck, a driving area to one side of the cockpit, and a rear cabin area normally covered by a horizontally oriented cushioned deck, with a sink and movable toilet facilities being shown in dotted lines thereunder. 
     FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along lines  2 — 2  of FIG. 1 illustrating an enlarged portion of the rear cabin area and a storage area under the captain&#39;s seat showing the manner in which a step may be stored under the captain&#39;s seat to be slid sideways to facilitate accessing the cushioned deck, with a portable toilet stored in a sunken floor area beneath the captain&#39;s seat to be slid into the rear cabin area for use, a portion of the cushioned deck being shown in its raised position in dotted lines. 
     FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the boat of FIG. 1 showing the cushioned deck in its horizontal orientation and cockpit and cabin canopy supports in retracted position, the floor or deck being shown in dotted lines. 
     FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 with the cushioned deck lifted and showing the canopy supports fully extended. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the rear part of the boat of FIG. 1 with the canopies retracted to “radar arch” position, the upward sliding of a panel to provide limited access to the rear cabin area being shown in dotted lines. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the rear portion of the boat of FIG. 1 with the cockpit canopy and the rear cabin area enclosure fully deployed. 
     FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 illustrating the unrolling of opaque curtains to cover transparent window openings in the rear cabin area enclosure to provide privacy therewithin. 
     FIG. 8 is a rear view of the transom area of a boat consistent with the preferred embodiment. 
     FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the rear portion of the boat of FIG. 1 illustrating the details thereof. 
     FIG. 10 illustrates the use of a canopy supported privacy curtain in the rear cabin area as an alternate embodiment to the enclosure of FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In describing the preferred embodiments of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. 
     With reference to the drawings in general, and to FIGS. 1-9, in particular, one embodiment of a boat embodying the teachings of the instant invention is generally designated as  10 . The hull may be formed of any suitable material such as aluminum or fiberglass. 
     Generally, the boat  10  can be divided into three areas, a raised forward deck  11 , a central cockpit area  12 , and a rear cabin area  14 . Within the cockpit area is a driver&#39;s section  13 . 
     As best shown in FIG. 4, the boat  10  includes a floor  16  with a step  17  leading down to a sunken section  18  in the rear cabin area  14  and steps  19  leading up to the forward deck  11 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, the forward deck  11  may include concealed storage areas  21   a  and  21   b  and pedestal bases  22   a ,  22   b  and  22   c  for anchoring fishing seats (not shown) in a well known manner. A plurality of cushioned seats  23   a ,  23   b ,  23   c ,  23   d ,  23   e  and  23   f  are provided to form cockpit seating in the central area  12 , with storage areas (not shown) beneath the seats, if desired. 
     The driver&#39;s section  13 , in its preferred embodiment, includes a windscreen  24 , a captain&#39;s or operator&#39;s seat  25 , a steering mechanism  26  and other conventional operating controls (not shown). 
     At the stern of the boat, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, on the port and starboard sides are enclosed pods  102  and  103  filled with flotation material. In the preferred embodiment, between the pods is a storage area  104  for batteries, oil reservoir, etc. In this embodiment, the boat is adapted to be powered by an outboard engine (not shown). Alternatively, an inboard engine (not shown) can be located in the storage area, with an outboard drive (also not shown) extending rearwardly of the transom  105 . 
     Above the pods  102 ,  103  and storage area  104  is the rear horizontal deck  100 . The rear deck covers the pods and extends around the rear underdeck storage compartment. Peripherally around the rear deck  100  and extending thereabove are cabin walls  120  having side portions  120   a ,  120   b , rear portions  120   c  and rear central portions  120   d  defining an open central area  120   e  over the storage area  104  adapted to receive the engine (not shown) when it is lifted about the recessed top  105   a  of the transom  105  to an inoperative position in a well known manner. These walls define the rear cabin area  14  with an opening  36  between the forward sections of these walls defining the entryway to the cabin. See FIG.  5 . The cabin walls  120  therefore enclose the area over the pods  102  and  103  and the area above the sunken floor  18 . 
     On top of the walls  120  is a cushioned deck  31 . The rear section  31   a  of this cushioned deck extends immediately over the storage area and in turn over the motor as well as over the pods. The forward section  31   b  of this cushioned deck  31  extends over the remaining area defined by the cabin walls  120 , namely the area of the cabin above the sunken floor  18 . The rear section  31   a  of the cushioned deck is preferably formed of three sections  130 ,  131  and  132 , two of which,  130  and  132 , are over the pods  102 ,  103 , respectively, and one of which  131  is over the engine and preferably hinged at  135  to provide access to the engine. 
     The forward section  31   b  of the cushioned rear deck  31  is hinged along its rear edge at  126  where it joins the rear section  31   a  of the cushioned deck for pivotable movement in the direction of the arrows  33  in FIG. 5 between a generally horizontal orientation shown in solid lines and a generally vertical orientation shown in dotted lines at  31   b′.    
     The side walls  120   a ,  120   b  which define the side of the cockpit area  12  support the backs of the cockpit seats along the cockpit sides, and also provide support for the driver&#39;s console at  13 . 
     Secured to the top of the sides  120   b  is the frame  34  of the canopy top  35  for the cockpit. Secured to the sides  120   a  of the walls  120  of the cabin area is the frame  44  of the rear cabin canopy top  45 . 
     The canopy  35  can be selectively positioned over the cockpit to provide protection against sun and rain, if desired. The support mechanism  34  is shown as folded or collapsed in FIGS. 3 and 5 and fully deployed in FIGS. 4,  6  and  7 . 
     The configuration of the boat to provide wrap-around cockpit seating in full view of the operator, as well as the specific adaptation to fishing and storage areas is important but not an essential part of the instant inventive concepts. While the particular construction shown in FIGS. 1-9 is desirable, those skilled in the art may readily modify these areas of the boat without departing from the instant inventive concepts. 
     The primary feature of the boat of this invention is the versatility provided by the convertibility of the rear portion of the boat, from a simple cushioned deck to a rear cabin with a food preparation area, including a sink, and hidden toilet facilities, and with an enclosure providing complete privacy for changing clothes or sleeping, as well as protection against the elements for passengers. 
     Thus, with the cushioned deck lifted to its elevated orientation  31   b ′, the sunken floor area  18  is exposed. Access to this area from the seating area  12  is afforded by the step  17  between the driver&#39;s section  13  and the seat  23   c . A panel  36  extends between the floor  16  and the cushioned deck  31  with its sides supported in slides (not shown) so that the panel may be moved upwardly as shown in dotted lines at  36 ′ in FIG. 5 in the direction of the arrow  37  to remove the panel and provide free access to the rear cabin area  14  when the front section  31   b  of the cushioned deck  31  is elevated to the vertical orientation  31   b ′. An individual may then step down from the floor area  16  to the sunken floor area  18  over the step  17 . 
     Below the forward section  31   b  of the cushioned deck  31  in one corner of the rear cabin area  14 , a sink  38 , as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1, may be provided for hand washing and food preparation. A storage area  29  is accessible adjacent to and above the sink  38  through an opening  30  for retrieving stored items such as paper towels, food products, plates and silverware. See FIGS. 3 and 4. 
     Below the captain&#39;s seat  27  is an area forming a storage compartment  39  within which may be located a portable toilet  40 . The toilet  40  is accessible through an opening  41  so that an individual in the rear cabin area  14  may reach into the compartment  39  and slide the toilet  40  rearwardly in the direction of the arrow  41  as shown at  40 ′. See FIGS. 1 and 2. When not in use, the toilet  40  may be slid forwardly into compartment  39  under the captain&#39;s seat  27  to remove the toilet from view. 
     Also located in the storage compartment  39  above a shelf  140 , a step  141  may be located to be slid sidewise into the area adjacent the panel  36  to facilitate stepping onto the cushioned deck  31 . 
     A canopy  35  is supported on a pivoted rod mechanism  34  and can be deployed from its arched or collapsed position shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 to its expanded or open position shown in FIGS. 4,  6  and  7  in a well known manner to cover portions of the cockpit area  12  including the captain&#39;s seat  13  and protect the same from sun and rain. 
     To provide for privacy in the rear cabin area  14  for use of the toilet facilities or for changing clothes, a rear cabin area enclosure may be provided. The enclosure may comprise a frame  43  comprising pivotally mounted rods  44  adapted to carry a canopy  45  over the rear cabin area  14 . The support mechanism  43  is shown as folded or collapsed in FIGS. 3 and 5 and fully deployed in FIGS. 4,  6  and  7 . 
     Tie down cables  46  may be used to anchor the support rods of the canopies  35  and  45  in the open or extended position, as necessary. 
     The overhead canopy  45  is secured to the overhead portions of the support frame for storage as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. However, with the frame  43  extended to the position shown in FIG. 4, the canopy  45  is stretched out to a horizontally extending position so as to provide cover to the rear cabin area  14 . 
     The canopy frame  43  is conventional and includes a plurality of cross frame bars to support the canopy  45 . To provide for privacy, a drop-curtain enclosure  50  (FIG. 10) may be secured to the cross frame bars so as to drop-down over the area behind the captain&#39;s seat to thereby enclose the toilet, or to provide a dressing room. Such drop-down curtains are readily available as known to those of ordinary skill in the art, and may include split panels  51   a  and  51   b  on one side with a zipper or VELCRO® closure  54  to enable access to the interior of the enclosed area from the unclosed portion of the rear cabin area  14 . 
     Instead of merely having a private area in the cabin, the invention also contemplates having a fully enclosed cabin area  42  as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-9, with the raised part  31   b  of the cushioned deck  31  forming the rear wall of the cabin. To this end, as shown in FIG. 6, the enclosure  42  includes a plurality of opaque panels  47 , which can extend downwardly from the canopy  46 , preferably on the three open sides of the rear cabin area  14 , selected ones of which may include screens or transparent window portions  48 . Rolled up opaque panels or curtains  49  may be dropped, as shown in FIG. 7, to cover the window portions  48  to provide complete privacy and darkness inside the rear cabin area  14 . 
     Thus, in use, the rear cabin area may be accessed by removing the panel  36  with the forward section  31   b  of the deck  31  in its vertical orientation. If privacy is desired for changing clothes or use of the toilet  40 , the enclosure  42  or  50  may be deployed. With the front section  31   b  of the cushioned deck  31  in the horizontal orientation and the enclosure  42  deployed, the curtains  49  may provide privacy and darkness in the rear cabin area for sleeping on the cushioned deck  31 . 
     The foregoing description should be considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and, accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.