Abstract:
A resilient cushioned bow stop for use on boat trailers to protect the bow of boats when launching, retrieving, and transporting boats in and out of the water includes a cushioned non-abrasive protective covering, molded and bonded to independently rotating rollers.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    This invention relates generally to an apparatus for securing boats to trailers for the purpose of transporting the boats. More particularly, the present invention relates a bow stop device configured for being located on a boat trailer used to launch, retrieve, and transport boats in and out of the water and configured for securing the bow of a boat to the trailer and providing padding between the securing device and the bow of the boat. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    It is a feature of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention to provide an apparatus for securing a boat to a trailer by providing a bow-securing device located at the bow end of a boat trailer and sized and shaped to secure the bow of the boat when the boat is loaded onto the trailer. It is also a purpose of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention to provide padding between the bow-securing device and the bow of the boat to prevent damage to or scuffing of the bow by the bow-securing device. Most commercially available boat trailers come equipped with polyurethane or rubber bow stop rollers, which can leave marks, scratches, and residues and over time wear completely through the fiberglass gel coat or other coating of a boat. The grade on various boat launch ramps can cause the bow stop to come in contact with and damage other areas on the bow of the boat not meant for contact. 
         [0005]    An illustrative embodiment of this invention is directed to protecting the finished fiberglass or other surfaces located on the bows of boats, which come into contact with the bow stop during launching, retrieving, and transporting of boats in and out of the water. An illustrative embodiment of this invention is also directed to protecting all finished surfaces of boats not meant for bow stop contact. This invention is also directed to protecting all finished surfaces of boats that come into contact with the bow stop during launching, retrieving, and transporting boats to and from destinations, and into and out of water. 
         [0006]    An illustrative bow stop device according to the present invention comprises; 
         [0007]    a center member configured to receive the bow of a boat, and having two opposing, generally flat first meeting surfaces, 
         [0008]    two end members, each end member comprising a generally flat second meeting surface, wherein the end members are disposed on the center member by juxtaposing the first and second meeting surfaces, 
         [0009]    wherein the center member and the two end members each comprise a covering layer. 
         [0010]    In another illustrative embodiment, the center member and the two end members have a common axis. The center member and the two end members can rotate independently of each other about the common axis. The center member and the two end members may each comprise a hole disposed along the common axis, the hole configured for receiving a rod. A rod, such as a bolt, may be disposed in the holes of the center member and the two end members. 
         [0011]    The center member comprises a middle section and two end sections, each of the middle section and the end sections having at least one cross-sectional diameter, wherein the at least one cross-sectional diameter of the middle section is smaller than the at least one cross-sectional diameters of the end sections. 
         [0012]    The two end members comprise at least one cross-sectional diameter, and the at least one cross-sectional diameters of the two end members are larger than the at least one cross sectional diameters of the end sections of the center member. 
         [0013]    The two end members may each comprise a distal recess configured for receiving a concave washer, and a concave washer may be disposed in each distal recess. A washer, such as a flat washer, may also be disposed between the center member and each end member. 
         [0014]    The covering layer may comprise a woven material. 
         [0015]    Another illustrative embodiment of the invention comprises a bow stop device configured to receive the bow of a boat comprising: 
         [0016]    a center member comprising a middle section and two end sections, each of the middle section and the two end sections having at least one cross-sectional diameter, wherein the at least one cross-sectional diameter of the middle section is smaller than the at least one cross-sectional diameters of the end sections, the center member also comprising two opposing, generally flat first meeting surfaces; 
         [0017]    two end members each comprising a generally flat second meeting surface, wherein the end members are disposed on the center member by juxtaposing the first and second meeting surfaces, each of the two end members comprising at least one cross-sectional diameter, wherein the at least one cross-sectional diameter of the end members is larger than the at least one cross sectional diameters of the end sections of the center member, the two end members each also comprising a distal recess configured for receiving a concave washer; 
         [0018]    a washer disposed between the center member and each end member; 
         [0019]    a concave washer disposed in each distal recess of the end members; 
         [0020]    wherein the center member and the two end members each comprise a covering layer comprising a woven material; 
         [0021]    wherein the center member and the two end members have a common axis, wherein the center member and the two end members each comprises a hole disposed along the common axis, the hole configured for receiving a rod and wherein the center member and the two end members can rotate independently of each other about the common axis; and 
         [0022]    a rod disposed through the holes in the center member and the two end members. 
         [0023]    Still another illustrative embodiment of the invention comprises an apparatus comprising: 
         [0024]    a frame comprising two parallel walls; and 
         [0025]    a plurality of bow stop devices disposed between the parallel walls, wherein each of the bow stop devices is configured to receive the bow of a boat; 
         [0026]    wherein each of said bow stop devices comprises a covering layer. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  is a side view of an illustrative embodiment of the padded bow stop device depicting its location in relationship to the trailer and boat. 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  is a front view of a bow stop device. 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  is a cutaway front view of the bow stop device. 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the bow stop device. 
           [0031]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the bow stop device. 
           [0032]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of a device comprising a plurality of bow stop devices. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0033]    Before the present bow stop device is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular configurations, process steps, and materials disclosed herein as such configurations, process steps, and materials may vary somewhat. It is also to be understood that the terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting since the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the appended claims and equivalents thereof. 
         [0034]    It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
         [0035]    Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. 
         [0036]    In describing and claiming the present invention, the following terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set out below. 
         [0037]    As used herein, “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” “characterized by,” and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. “Comprising” is to be interpreted as including the more restrictive terms “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of.” 
         [0038]    As used herein, “consisting of” and grammatical equivalents thereof exclude any element, step, or ingredient not specified in the claim. 
         [0039]    As used herein, “consisting essentially of” and grammatical equivalents thereof limit the scope of a claim to the specified materials or steps and those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic or characteristics of the claimed invention. 
         [0040]    An illustrative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 .  FIG. 1  is a side view depicting the trailer  30  generally comprising a frame  34  having a bow end  36  and a stern end  38 , said bow end  36  and stern end  38  correlating to the bow  40  and stern  42  of a boat  10 . In this illustration, the boat  10  is depicted mounted on the trailer  30 . The trailer  30  further comprises a tongue  12  located at the bow end  36  and extending forward therefrom. The trailer  30  further comprises an upright  16  located at the bow end  36  of the frame  34 . A winch  14  is located on the upright  16 . A bow stop device  18  is also located on the bow end  36  of the frame. Generally, the bow stop device  18  should be positioned such that when the boat  10  is loaded onto the trailer  30 , the bow stop device  18  receives the bow  40  of the boat  10 . 
         [0041]    In  FIG. 1 , the boat  10  is depicted in a loaded and secured position on the trailer  30 . In the loaded position, the bow  40  of the boat  10  is in contact with the bow stop device  18 . Among other things, the bow stop device  18  is positioned to prevent forward movement of the boat with respect to the trailer  30 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 2  shows a front elevation view of the bow stop device  18 . The bow stop device  18  comprises a center piece  50  and two end pieces  52 . The center piece  50  is separate from the end pieces  52  such that the center piece  50  and the two end pieces  52  can rotate independently of each other. The center piece  50  is shaped to receive the bow  40  of a boat (shown in phantom). The end pieces  52  possess a generally larger cross-sectional diameter than does the center piece  50 . This design configuration imparts to the bow stop device a generally hourglass shape with the center piece  50  forming the waist. This hourglass shape acts to channel the bow of the boat into the center piece  50  as the boat is being loaded onto the trailer. The bow stop device  18  may be affixed to the trailer via arms  46  or other means known in the art. The arms are 46 affixed to the trailer and possess sufficient distance between them to allow the bow stop device  18  to fit between them. 
         [0043]      FIG. 3  depicts a cutaway view of the bow stop device  18 . The center piece  50  and end pieces  52  that give the bow stop device  18  its shape are depicted. The center piece  50  and end pieces  52  possess a covering  68 . The covering  68  provides cushioning and protection scuffing or otherwise marring the surface of the boat. The covering  68  may be made of any rubberized or fabric material so long as it provides cushioning and scuff-protection functionality. The covering  68  may be provided with pressure sensitive adhesive on the interior surface, and/or hook and loop fasteners, and/or elastic cords, and/or other means known in the art for attaching the cover to the bow stop device  18 . Accordingly, the cover may be configured to fit over the bow stop device  18  and to be fastened in place to thereby provide a replaceable protective device for protecting the bow of a boat against scratches or markings caused by the bow stop device  18 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 4  depicts an exploded view of the bow stop device  18 . The center piece  50  is shaped such that its cross-sectional diameter is smaller at its mid point  54  than at either end  58  such that the cross-sectional diameter possesses a gradually narrowing taper near the midpoint of the center piece  50 . Each end  58  of the center piece  50  comprises a generally flat meeting surface  59 . Each piece of the bow stop device  18  possesses an opening  61 ,  63  extending through the piece at its center. When the bow stop device is assembled, the center piece  50  and the end pieces  52  have a common axis  56 . The openings  61 ,  63  are on the common axis  56 . The center piece  50  and the end pieces  52  can rotate independently of each other about the common axis  56 . Each end piece  52  possesses a recess  62  on its distal end and a generally flat meeting surface  66  on its proximal end. A rod, such as a bolt (not shown), can be inserted through the openings  61 ,  63  as a means of connecting the pieces of the bow stop device  18  together. Washers  60  may be inserted between all the meeting surfaces  59 ,  66  of the center piece  50  and the end pieces  52 . A custom washer  64 , sized and shaped to fit into the recess  62 , may be located on the distal end of each end piece  52 . 
         [0045]    The shaped pieces of the bow stop device  18  may be made of molded material such as polyurethane or other plastic. In addition, the bow stop device shaped pieces may be made or cut from stock material by turning on a lathe or other shaping means. The bow stop device may be made of hard material or a soft and flexible material. The fact that the end pieces are separate from the center piece allows the end pieces to rotate separately from the center piece to reduce scuffing and wear on the bow of the boat as it is being loaded and transported. 
         [0046]      FIG. 5  depicts a side view of the bow stop device  18 . A bolt  70  passes through the opening  61  of each piece such that, when a nut (not shown) is affixed to the threaded end of the bolt  70 , the three pieces of the bow stop device  18  are held together and permitted to rotate with respect to each other. The bolt  70  also passes through an opening in the arms  46  for attaching the bow stop device  18  to the trailer. The distal end  72  of the arms  46  may be attached to the trailer upright  16  via a bolt  74 . In the alternative, the bow stop device  18  may be attached to the trailer upright  16  in any manner known to those skilled in the art. 
         [0047]      FIG. 6  depicts an illustrative embodiment of a device comprising a plurality of bow stop devices  18 . Each of said bow stop devices  18  is biasedly affixed to a frame member  76 . As depicted in  FIG. 6 , the frame member  76  possesses two generally parallel surfaces  78 . Each of the two generally parallel surfaces  78  contains a plurality of slotted openings  80  through each of which can be fitted a bolt  82 . Each bolt secures one of the bow stop devices  18 . The bolt  82  holds the bow stop device  18  in place positioned between the two generally parallel surfaces  78  of the frame member  76 , such that a portion of the bow stop device  18  surface extends beyond the leading edge  84  of the frame member  76 . The bolts  82  can travel within the slotted openings  80 . A biasing device  86  is in contact with each bolt  82  and the frame member  76  such that each bolt  82  can travel within the slotted openings in a biased manner. In an illustrative embodiment, the biasing device  86  comprises a spring. However, the biasing device can comprise any other biasing means known in the art. The frame member  76  is capable of being affixed to the bow end of the boat trailer via a plurality of arms  88  and aligned such that each bow stop device  18  moves independently of the other bow stop devices  18  in a more or less horizontal direction as each is contacted by the bow of the boat (not shown) so as to cause the plurality of bow stop devices  18  to conform to the shape of the bow of the boat and allow each bow stop device  18  to remain in contact with the bow of the boat when the boat is loaded on the trailer.