Patent ID: 12228674

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed to a radar mount system for removably attaching a radar system to a surface of a watercraft. A prior art radar attachment system is depicted inFIG.1, while the present radar mount system is disclosed inFIGS.2through9.

A prior art radar attachment system is depicted inFIG.1, where the radar system114is attached to a surface of a watercraft120. Typically, radar system114is an open array radar system or a dome-shaped radome. Open array radar systems have wide antennas that can rotate and are capable of detecting small objects at large distances. Radomes use a dome structure to at least partially cover moving components, and are generally smaller than open array radars. However, they provide lower resolution than open array radars and may not be appropriate for applications where sharp resolution of adjacent objects is required. In the present disclosure, radar system114is any mountable radar system, but in some preferred embodiments radar system114is an open array radar system.

Watercraft120includes any vehicle that is capable of being operated in water. Watercraft120may have a propulsion capability for movement (e.g. engine-powered, solar-powered, wind-powered), while in other cases watercraft120is unpowered or man-powered. Examples of watercraft include, but are not limited to, boats (e.g. fishing boats, dinghies, deck boats, center console boats, game boats, motor yachts, bowriders, catamarans, houseboats, trawlers, pontoons, and cabin cruiser boats), ships, and personal watercraft (e.g. jet skis). Watercraft120is compatible with radar attachment to a surface, which is typically an external top surface, such as a hardtop.

Referring toFIG.2, a radar mount system100of the present disclosure is presented. Radar mount system100improves upon typical radar attachment means by allowing radar system removal and reattachment without impacting the waterproof sealing between the mount and the hardtop of watercraft120. While prior art systems require the waterproof seal to be broken for radar detachment, the present system100avoids this issue by use of a base plug110that remains sealed to the top of watercraft120and an exterior plate112for attachment to radar system114. Exterior plate112is removable from base plug110, as is described in detail below. The ability to remove exterior plate112from base plug110for detachment and reattachment of radar system114allows for the waterproof seal of base plug110to remain intact. Thus, the present radar mount system100saves time in radar system removal and reattachment, as well as ensures the integrity of the waterproof seal throughout the process. Radar system114is removable for safe transport of watercraft120and the waterproof seal is maintained to prevent water from entering the hardtop of watercraft120.

Base plug110is utilized for attachment of radar mount system100to a surface of watercraft120. In some embodiments, this surface is a top surface of watercraft120, such as a hardtop. To prevent water from entering the hardtop, a waterproof seal is placed about base plug110. Thus, after base plug110is fastened to hardtop, a waterproof seal, such as a silicone sealant, is applied. However, other sealants are compatible with the present disclosure such that they prevent water from entering the hardtop from radar mount system100.

Referring now toFIG.3, radar mount system100is shown in a perspective view as having a depth. The depth is such that base plug110is configured to be securely sealed on the hardtop of watercraft120and that exterior plate112is configured to securely support the mounting of radar system114. The depth is also provided such that base plug110and exterior plate112may be removably coupled, as is described in greater detail below. Other dimensions of radar mount system100, such as length and width, vary according to application and compatibility with the mounting bolt pattern of radar system114. Radar mount system100is formed from 1.5 inch thick King StarBoard® or another marine-grade high-density polyethylene (HDPE) material, with the exception of fasteners, the locking rod system, and a recessed plate118. Base plug110is fastened to the top surface of watercraft120using a plurality of base fasteners122. Similarly, radar system114is attached to exterior plate112using a plurality of radar fasteners126.

InFIG.4, base plug110is shown separated from exterior plate112. Base plug110is shaped as a rounded, three dimensional cross, though other shapes are possible such that base plug110is mountable on the top of watercraft120and such that base plug110fits within exterior plate112. A plurality of base fastener holes124are positioned through base plug110, each for receiving a base fastener122. In the depicted embodiment, four base fastener holes124are shown, though other numbers of base fastener holes are compatible with the present disclosure such that base plug110is configured to be securely fastened to the top of watercraft120. The positioning of base fastener holes124is such that plug base110is configured to be securely fastened with distributed fastener pressure. Additionally, positions avoid the intersection of base fasteners122with the path of horizontal rods130, which are described below. Base fastener hole positions vary in embodiments not depicted. The dimensions of base fastener holes124are such that they are configured to accommodate base fasteners122, which include bolts, screws, or other fastening means known in the art. Base fasteners122are commercially available, and are in some instances included in a kit for the assembly of radar mount system100. Base plug110is mounted to the top of watercraft120prior to sealing with a waterproof sealant. The location of base plug attachment is such that a mounted, commercially available radar system114is capable of performing its intended operations.

Base plug110further includes a plurality of rod holes128, each for the passage of one horizontal rod130. In the depicted embodiment, three rod holes128are present, though other numbers of rod holes128are compatible with the present disclosure such that horizontal rods130are configured to removably secure exterior plate112about base plug110. InFIG.5, base plug110is shown in a perspective view with a top rod hole128visible. Rod holes128extend horizontally through plug base110at approximately a center depth. Rod holes128on base plug110are configured to align with rod holes128on exterior plate112, such that base plug110may be secured within exterior plate112by horizontal rods130. The diameter of rod holes128varies according to the diameter of horizontal rods130.

InFIG.6, base plug110is shown with its two portions: a base plate116and recessed plate118. Base plate116provides the main shape and depth of base plug110and is slightly longer and wider than recessed plate118. Further, base plate116is stepped at its borders to accommodate recessed plate118, such that recessed plate118, when inserted, sits flush with the stepped borders of base plate116. Recessed plate118is formed from 3/16 inch stainless steel, or another metal material, to provide additional strength for supporting an attached radar system114. However, other thicknesses of recessed plate118are compatible with the present disclosure such that recessed plate118fits within the stepped boundaries of base plate116.

InFIG.7, base plate116is shown without recessed plate118inserted. Base fastener holes124are visible, as then span both recessed plate118and base plate116such that base fasteners122are capable of securing base plug110to watercraft120, as well as recessed plate118to base plate116.

InFIG.8, exterior plate112is shown separated from base plug110. Exterior plate112is shaped as a rounded rectangle with a cross-shaped cutout, though other shapes are possible such that base plug110fits within the cutout region and radar system114is mountable. Exterior plate112is sized such that a bolt pattern for the intended commercial radar system114is capable of being placed on the top surface of exterior plate112. Radar fasteners126are configured to be inserted into the upper surface of exterior plate112according to the bolt pattern compatible with the desired radar system114. Radar fastener hole positions vary in embodiments not depicted. The dimensions of radar fastener holes are such that they are configured to accommodate radar fasteners126, which include bolts, screws, or other fastening means known in the art. Radar fasteners126are commercially available, and are in some instances included in a kit for the assembly of radar mount system100.

Exterior plate112further includes a plurality of rod holes128, each for the passage of one horizontal rod130. In the depicted embodiment, three rod holes128with three horizontal rods130are present, though other numbers of rod holes128and horizontal rods130are compatible with the present disclosure such that horizontal rods130are configured to removably secure exterior plate112about base plug110. Rod holes128within exterior plate112are positioned such that they align with rod holes128within base plug110when base plug110is inserted within exterior plate112, such that, when base plug110is inserted within the cutout region of exterior plate112, horizontal rods130are configured to pass through rod holes128of each of exterior plate112and base plug110. The presence of horizontal rods130within radar mount system100positions base plug110within exterior plate112. Further, when horizontal rods130are secured, as described below, base plug110is configured to be secured within exterior plate112.

Horizontal rods130are ⅜″ diameter rods in some embodiments, though other sizes are possible such that horizontal rods130fit within rod holes128and are compatible with a bracket132and locking nuts134, as described below. Horizontal rods130are made of metal, such as stainless steel, though other metals, plastics, or alloys are possible. Horizontal rods130are threaded on at least one end for reception of locking nuts134.

InFIG.9, exterior plate112is shown with bracket132in place to hold horizontal rods130in position. While bracket132is shown on a left side of exterior plate112, other embodiments are possible where bracket132is positioned on a right side, top, or bottom of exterior plate112. When base plug110is inserted within exterior plate112, bracket132secures one side of each of horizontal rods130, while one locking nut134is configured to be threaded onto the opposite side of each of horizontal rods130, locking base plug110within exterior plate112. In such a configuration, base plug110may be securely mounted and sealed on a hardtop of watercraft120and exterior plate112may be coupled to base plug110along with an attached radar system114. In this mounted configuration, radar system114is mounted to watercraft120and in position for operation. When a user wishes to remove radar system114from watercraft120, the user utilizes a security tool uniquely compatible with locking nuts134to remove each locking nut134from its horizontal rod130. When locking nuts134are removed, each horizontal rod130is configured to slide from its rod hole128, thus unlocking exterior plate112from base plug110. When exterior plate112is not locked into position by locking nuts134and horizontal rods130, it is configured to be lifted from about the mounted base plug110, along with radar system114. Therefore, radar system114and exterior plate112are removable from base plug110without altering or damaging the waterproof seal of base plug110. Radar system114and exterior plate112are configured to be reinstalled about base plug110by first placing exterior plate112about base plug110, reinserting horizontal rods130through rod holes128, and then re-securing horizontal rods130with locking nuts134using the specialized security tool.

In some instances, radar mount system100is available as a kit. Such a kit contains base plug110and exterior plate112with all holes pre-drilled. Specifically, radar fastener holes are pre-drilled in the positions and dimensions required by the intended radar system114. The kits may further include one or more of radar fasteners126, base fasteners122, horizontal rods130, locking nuts134, bracket130, the security tool, and thread locking adhesive.

As will be understood by those familiar with the art, the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Accordingly, the disclosures and descriptions herein are intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention which is set forth in the following claims.