Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/522,925 filed Aug. 12, 2011. 
     FIELD OF INVENTIVE CONCEPT 
     The present inventive concept relates generally to a device used to hold and store accessories on a boat. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The sport of wakeboarding evolved as a derivative from skiing and surfing. The evolution began in 1985 and; at various stages in the evolution, it was called “skurfing” or “skiboarding”. Eventually, these names gave way to the official name of “wakeboarding”. 
     More recently, the sport of wakeboarding has seen some other spinoffs or variations which include wakeskating and surfing. These sports utilize different types of boards and these boards can vary in length, weight, and thickness depending on a manufacturer&#39;s specific design. 
     Boats designed specifically for wakeboarding include a tower to elevate the tow rope. 
     To maximize space in the passenger compartment, it is desirable to store wakeboard or board like accessories up and away from the passengers. In addition to elevating the tow rope, the tower is also used to store accessories up and away from the passengers. 
     In recent years, numerous designs for holding accessories have been developed for mounting to the tower or directly to the boat. 
     These rack systems are often referred to as wakeboard racks but are also used to hold skis, wakeskates, surfboards, or other recreational accessories. These racks generally accommodate wakeboards which vary in length, width, and thickness. Accessories other than wakeboards introduce additional variations in length, width, and thickness. 
     Most board storage accessories utilize a pair of fork-like devices to cradle the boards. The cradle is often referred to as a “board fork”. Often, the board forks include 1 or more slots for storage of 1 or more boards at a time. 
     Currently, there are two primary methods for holding the boards secure in the board forks. The board forks are generally equipped with either an elastic cord or a clamping mechanism which secures the board in place. 
     The conventional methods for holding the boards in place is complicated by the need for the board fork to accommodate and secure boards of varying lengths, widths, and thicknesses. The various board widths and lengths can generally be accommodated by an open fork design where the width of the open fork accommodates the widest accessory to be stored. 
     The elastic cord method of securing the board accommodates various board widths and thicknesses within the range of the elasticity of the cord. This method is cumbersome to perform as the user must generally pull the attached cord around the outside of the boards and attach the 2nd end of the cord to a stationary hook. Also, the board is generally free to move or vibrate within the elastic range of the cord and within the width range of the open forks. 
     A second method of securing a board is to clamp the boards in place. The most common method of clamping a board in place is depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 6,886,795. An aspect of this patent is to utilize a spring-bias system to hold a board securely in place. Although the system allows a user to use one locking handle to actuate two clamping members that may be clamping on boards of varying widths, the boards have a tendency to lift up or vibrate as the forward motion of the boat generates a wind force that overcomes the force of the springs. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     Example embodiments of the present general inventive concept can be achieved by providing an accessory storage device including a body defining at least one receiver and at least one clamping member. The at least one clamping member can have a first position for receiving an accessory for storage and a second position to apply force to secure an accessory for storage. 
     A handle actuator may actuate movement of the at least one clamping member. The at least one clamping member may pivot from a first position to a second position to apply force to secure an accessory for storage. The clamping member may be held in the secure position by a releasable braking lever. 
     When the releasable braking lever is released, a spring may be used to return the clamping member to an open position. 
     In some embodiments containing two or more clamping members, a linkage bar may be employed to coordinate the motion of the clamping members. The linkage bar may be designed to allow for relative motion of the clamping members. 
     The relative motion of the clamping members may allow the storage device to secure at least one accessory in the first receiver when the second receiver does not contain an accessory or vice versa. The relative motion of the clamping members may allow the storage device to secure accessories of a specified thickness in the first receiver while securing accessories of a different thickness in the second receiver. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The following example embodiments are representative of exemplary techniques and structures designed to carry out the objects of the present general inventive concept, but the present general inventive concept is not limited to these example embodiments. In the accompanying drawings and illustrations, the sizes and relative sizes, shapes, and qualities of lines, entities, and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. A wide variety of additional embodiments will be more readily understood and appreciated through the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a clamp rack assembly shown in an undamped position according to an example embodiment of the present general inventive concept; 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view of a clamp rack assembly shown in a clamped position according to an example embodiment of the present general inventive concept; 
         FIGS. 3A through 3C  depict three possible accessory loading configurations according to an example embodiment of the present general inventive concept; 
         FIG. 4  is a section view of a clamp rack assembly in an undamped position according to an example embodiment of the present general inventive concept; 
         FIG. 5  is a section view of a clamp rack assembly in a clamped position according to an example embodiment of the present general inventive concept; 
         FIG. 6  is an isometric assembly view of a clamp rack mechanism according to an example embodiment of the present general inventive concept; 
         FIG. 7  is an assembly view of a clamp rack mechanism shown in an undamped position without the handle for clarity according to an example embodiment of the present general inventive concept; 
         FIG. 8  is an assembly view of a clamp rack mechanism shown in a clamped position without the handle for clarity according to an example embodiment of the present general inventive concept; 
         FIG. 9  is an assembly view of a clamp rack mechanism shown in a clamped position with the upper clamp lever moving through full range of motion while lower clamp lever is held up. Figure is shown without the handle for clarity according to an example embodiment of the present general inventive concept; 
         FIG. 10  is an assembly view of a clamp rack mechanism shown in a clamped position with the upper clamp lever held up while lower clamp lever is moved through the full range of motion. Figure is shown without the handle for clarity according to an example embodiment of the present general inventive concept; and 
         FIG. 11  is an assembly view of a clamp rack mechanism with a linkage bar assembly configured according to another embodiment of the present general inventive concept. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made to the example embodiments of the present general inventive concept, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and illustrations. The example embodiments are described herein in order to explain the present general inventive concept by referring to the figures. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate example embodiments of the present general inventive concept.  FIG. 1  depicts an accessory storage device with a Receiver Body  1  which contains a Lower Receiver Opening  1 A and an Upper Receiver Opening  1 B. The Receiver Body  1  is designed to accept and secure a stored accessory. The Lower Clamp Lever  2 A and Upper Clamp Lever  2 B cannot be seen in  FIG. 1  as they are retracted into the Receiver Body  1  and are resting in the undamped position.  FIG. 2  depicts Receiver Body  1  with a Lower Clamp Lever  2 A and an Upper Clamp Lever  2 B pivoted into the clamped position. The Handle  4  rotation drives the Lower and Upper Clamp Levers  2 A and  2 B, via a drive pin  10  and drive slot  11  (see  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) to rotate from an undamped position shown in  FIG. 1  to a clamped position shown in  FIG. 2 . Pressing on the Release Button  16  releases the Braking Lever  7 . When the Braking Lever  7  is released, the Torsion Spring  12  forces Lower Clamp Lever  2 A and Upper Clamp Lever  2 B into the undamped position. 
       FIGS. 3A through 3C  show examples of three potential configurations to store various combinations of accessories  31 ,  32  of varying thicknesses. The examples shown in  FIGS. 3A to 3C  depict the varying thicknesses of the accessories as thick accessory  31  and thin accessory  32 , but the present general inventive concept is not limited to any particular thickness or combination of accessories. Moreover, although  FIG. 3C  illustrates a thick accessory  31  loaded in the top receiver opening  1 B and no accessory in the empty bottom receiver opening  1 A, the present general inventive concept is not limited to such configuration. The top receiver opening  1 B could be empty and the bottom receiver opening  1 A could be loaded without departing from the present general inventive concept. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 3A through 3C , Lower Clamp Lever  2 A and Upper Clamp Lever  2 B translate through varying degrees of rotation before engaging a stored accessory to provide the necessary clamping force to secure the stored accessory, depending on the thickness of a particular accessory and/or whether the receiver openings  1 A,  1 B are loaded or empty. The clamping force to Lower Clamp Lever  2 A and Upper Clamp Lever  2 B is provided through a Handle  4 , and a Linkage Bar  3  is employed to facilitate relative motion of the clamp levers  2 A,  2 B driven by the handle  4 , as described in more detail below. 
       FIG. 4  depicts the clamp rack assembly mechanism in the undamped position, i.e., ready to receive an accessory.  FIG. 5  depicts the clamp rack assembly mechanism in a fully clamped position against lower surfaces of the respective receiver openings  1 A,  1 B, demonstrating the full range of clamping motion when no accessories are present. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , rotation of the Handle  4  from the first position of  FIG. 4  to the second position of  FIG. 5  forces the Drive Pin  10  from the right side of the drive slot  11  to the left side of the drive slot  11 , causing the linkage bar  3  to drive the associated clamp levers  2 A,  2 B toward a clamping position. During this movement, as the Linkage Bar  3  is driven by the Handle  4  and Drive Pin  10 , the Drive Pin  10  is permitted to slide along the Primary Slot  3 B of the Linkage bar  3 . The Linkage Bar  3  connects Lower Clamp Lever  2 A and Upper Clamp Lever  2 B through Lower Pin  9 A and Upper Pin  9 B. As the Linkage Bar  3  is driven by the Handle  4 , and the clamp levers  2 A,  2 B begin to pivot towards a clamping position, the sliding motion of the Upper Pin  9 B in the elongated Secondary Slot  3 C serves to take up the system slack until Lower Clamp Lever  2 A and Upper Clamp Lever  2 B rotate and engage a stored accessory or come to rest on the base of their respective receiver opening. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4-5 , the Handle  4  can be a formed as a lever and connected to the Slide Bar  5  via Slide Bar Bolt  23  and mounting element  50 . The Handle  4  can include an opening to receive the Drive Pin  10 , such that when the Handle is pivoted between the first position and the second position, the Drive Pin  10  drives the Linkage Bar  3  and the Slide Bar  5  slides with respect to the Braking Lever  7  through an Opening  7 A in the releasable Braking Lever  7 . In some embodiments the Slide Bar  5  can include a plurality of teeth, or notches, to help retain the Slide Bar  5  in a fixed position with respect to the Braking Lever  7  as the Handle  4  is pivoted. In this configuration, counterclockwise rotation of Handle  4  drives Slide Bar  5  and associated Drive Pin  10  to the left. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the Handle  4  can take a variety of forms, and is not limited to the shape and size depicted in the example embodiments. For example, it is possible to form the Handle  4  as a simple extension of the Drive Pin  10  to actuate the clamping action. 
       FIG. 6  is an isometric assembly view of a clamp rack mechanism according to an example embodiment of the present general inventive concept. Although the drive pin  10 , linkage bar  3 , and slide bar  5  are configured in shape and size to impart rotational movement to the clamps  2 A,  2 B, it is possible to configure the components using sound engineering judgment to impart linear motion to the clamps  2 A,  2 B. For example, the slide bar  5  could be formed as a straight piece, and the linkage bar  3  could be formed to impart linear (e.g., up and down) motion to the clamp members  2 A,  2 B, such that upon actuation of the drive pin  10 , the linkage bar  3  actuates the clamps  2 A,  2 B to move the clamps linearly up and down with respect to the receiver portions, wherein the clamps remain substantially parallel to the receiver portions during the clamping action. A variety of configurations could be implemented using sound engineering judgment to carry out the releasable clamping action of one or more clamps, using rotational or linear action, or combinations thereof, and all such configurations are intended to be covered within the scope of the present general inventive concept. 
       FIG. 7  is an assembly view of a clamp rack mechanism shown in an undamped position, and  FIG. 8  is an assembly view of a clamp rack mechanism shown in a clamped position, according to example embodiments of the present general inventive concept. 
       FIG. 8  depicts the clamp rack assembly mechanism in a clamped position. In  FIG. 8 , Slide Bar  5  passes through an Opening  7 A in Braking Lever  7 . Braking Lever  7  is hanging in suspension on Slide Bar  5  and is pivotably captured by the Compression Spring  20  and the Release Button  16 . Compression Spring  20  provides a rotational bias to the upper end of Braking Lever  7 . The rotational position of Braking Lever  7  is limited by the binding interference of Opening  7 A with the edges of Slide Bar  5 . As mentioned above, it is possible to for the Slide Bar  5  to include a plurality of teeth, or notches, to interact with the opening  7 A, to help retain the Slide Bar  5  in a fixed position with respect to the Braking Lever  7  when the Handle  4  is released. 
     It should be noted that in the standby position depicted in  FIG. 7 , the Braking Lever  7  is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of Slide Bar  5  whereas the portion of the Braking Lever  7  which engages the Slide Bar  5  is substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of Slide Bar  5 . In this condition, if a force is applied to Slide Bar  5  in the direction of Arrow  5 B by moving the handle  4  (not shown in  FIG. 7 ) counterclockwise, Slide Bar  5  moves through Opening  7 A because Braking Lever  7  is free to pivot against Compression Spring  20 . Slide Bar  5  may be freely advanced in the direction of Arrow  5 B until Lower Clamp Lever  2 A and Upper Clamp Lever  2 B reach the limits of their rotation by engaging a stored accessory or the base of a Lower or Upper Receiver Opening  1 A or  1 B. 
     However, in the standby position depicted in  FIG. 8 , if a force is applied in a direction opposite to Arrow  5 B in the direction of Arrow  5 C, the edges of Opening  7 A bind against the surface of Slide Bar  5  and it is not possible, without further action, to advance Slide Bar  5  in the direction of Arrow  5 C. 
     Compression of Compression Spring  20  by pressing on Release Button  16 , returns Braking Lever  7  to a substantially perpendicular position and allows Slide Bar  5  to advance in either direction. 
     Torsion Spring  17  is biased to force Slide Bar  5  in the direction of  5 C. With no external force being transferred to Slide Bar  5 , Torsion Spring  7  will force Slide Bar  5  in the direction of Arrow  5 C and Slide Bar  5  attached to Linkage Bar  3  will force Linkage Bar  3  to release Lower Clamp Lever  2 A and Upper Clamp Lever  2 B into the unclamped position. 
       FIG. 9  is an assembly view of a clamp rack mechanism shown in a clamped position with the upper clamp lever moving through full range of motion while lower clamp lever is held up. Figure is shown without the handle for clarity according to an example embodiment of the present general inventive concept. 
       FIG. 10  is an assembly view of a clamp rack mechanism shown in a clamped position with the upper clamp lever held up while lower clamp lever is moved through the full range of motion. Figure is shown without the handle for clarity according to an example embodiment of the present general inventive concept. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , rotation of the Handle  4  from the first position to the second position moves the Drive Pin  10  to the left, causing the linkage bar  3  to drive the associated clamp levers  2 A,  2 B toward a clamping position. Since the Linkage Bar  3  connects Lower Clamp Lever  2 A and Upper Clamp Lever  2 B as described in connection with  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the elongated slots  3 C,  3 B serve to take up the system slack when different thickness accessories are clamped, allowing one or the other of the clamp levers  2 A,  2 B to continue to move, even if one of the clamps has already met resistance from a thicker accessory. 
       FIG. 11  is an assembly view of a clamp rack mechanism with a linkage bar assembly configured according to another embodiment of the present general inventive concept. In contrast to the linkage bar  3  illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the linkage bar  3 ′ of  FIG. 11  includes a circular opening  3 B′ (instead of elongated Primary Slot  3 B) to receive the Drive Pin  10 , and a pair of elongated secondary slots  3 A′,  3 C′ drivably connected to a respective clamp lever  2 A,  2 B. During movement of the handle  4  (not shown in  FIG. 11 , but similar to  FIGS. 4 and 5 ), rotation of the Handle  4  from the first position to the second position of forces the Drive Pin  10  from the right side of the drive slot  11  to the left side of the drive slot  11 , causing the linkage bar  3 ′ to drive the associated clamp levers  2 A,  2 B toward a clamping position by the pivotal movement of the ends of the linkage bar  3 ′, which in turn pivot the associated claim members  2 A,  2 B via the secondary slots. Here, the secondary slots provide slack for either the Lower Clamp Lever  2 A or Upper Clamp Lever  2 B rotate and engage a stored accessory, depending on the thickness of the respective accessories being stored in each receiver. For example, if accessories of different thicknesses are being clamped by the Upper Clamp Lever  2 B and the Lower Clamp Lever  2 A, the slack provided by the secondary slots  3 A′ and  3 C′ will enable the linkage bar  3 ′ to continue to pivot until both clamp levers  2 A,  2 B have met resistance from the accessory being stored, and lock, as described above. 
     Certain example embodiments of the present general inventive concept can provide for the actuation of a single member that can initiate the rotation of one or more clamping members that will provide for the securing of one or more objects of the same or varying thickness, or for the securing of one object when a second or more objects is not present in the clamping device. The clamping mechanism can include a linkage bar that ties together two or more clamping members to drive the locking of the clamping members while allowing for securing objects of equal or varying thickness or for the securing of two or more objects when another object is not present in the clamping device. 
     The present general inventive concept provides design flexibility for various numbers of or configurations of clamp mechanisms. Design flexibility is also allowed for clamping and securing for purposes of storage or for other applications where clamping of one or more objects is required. 
     It is noted that the simplified diagrams and drawings do not illustrate all the various connections and assemblies of the various components, however, those skilled in the art will understand how to implement such connections and assemblies, based on the illustrated components, figures, and descriptions provided herein, using sound engineering judgment. 
     Numerous variations, modifications, and additional embodiments are possible, and accordingly, all such variations, modifications, and embodiments are to be regarded as being within the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept. For example, regardless of the content of any portion of this application, unless clearly specified to the contrary, there is no requirement for the inclusion in any claim herein or of any application claiming priority hereto of any particular described or illustrated activity or element, any particular sequence of such activities, or any particular interrelationship of such elements. Moreover, any activity can be repeated, any activity can be performed by multiple entities, and/or any element can be duplicated. 
     While the present general inventive concept has been illustrated by description of several example embodiments, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the inventive concept to such descriptions and illustrations. Instead, the descriptions, drawings, and claims herein are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive, and additional embodiments will readily appear to those skilled in the art upon reading the above description and drawings.

Technology Category: 7