U.S. patent application number 10/893125 was filed with the patent office on 2005-05-12 for pontoon boat.
Invention is credited to Bernhard, Michael R., Bierman, Joe, Blaisdell, George, Hood, Jay.
Application Number | 20050098077 10/893125 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34555579 |
Filed Date | 2005-05-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050098077 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Blaisdell, George ; et
al. |
May 12, 2005 |
Pontoon boat
Abstract
A multi-hull boat having a plurality of pontoons. The pontoons
are coupled together by cross members that are recessed within the
pontoons. A multi-panel floor or deck is coupled to the pontoons
with joints that receive edges of the panels.
Inventors: |
Blaisdell, George; (Siler
City, NC) ; Hood, Jay; (Durham, NC) ;
Bernhard, Michael R.; (Morrisville, NC) ; Bierman,
Joe; (Raleigh, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Merchant & Gould P.C.
P.O. Box 2903
Minneapolis
MN
55402-0903
US
|
Family ID: |
34555579 |
Appl. No.: |
10/893125 |
Filed: |
July 16, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60488368 |
Jul 18, 2003 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
114/61.22 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63B 5/24 20130101; B63B
1/125 20130101; B63B 2003/085 20130101; B63B 3/48 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
114/061.22 |
International
Class: |
B63B 001/00; B63B
003/00; B63B 005/00 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A boat comprising: a plurality of hulls; a plurality of hulls; a
plurality of cross members interconnecting the hulls together; and
the hulls including top sides defining the recesses for receiving
the cross members.
2. The boat of claim 1, wherein each of the hulls includes a
pontoon having two elongated, spaced apart top rails, the rails
defining recesses in the form of notches for receiving the cross
members.
3. The boat of claim 2, wherein storage compartments are defined
within the pontoons between the rails.
4. The boat of claim 2, wherein the rails define deck supporting
surfaces that are flush with deck supporting surfaces defined by
top sides of the cross members.
5. The boat of claim 1, wherein the cross members are secured to
the hulls by fasteners, at least portions of the fasteners being
embedded within the hulls.
6. The boat of claim 1, further comprising a deck secured to the
cross members by joints, the deck including a plurality of panels
having edges received within receptacles defined by the joints.
7. The boat of claim 6, wherein the cross members define top slots,
wherein the joints include lower portions positioned within the
cross members, upper portions positioned above the cross members,
and intermediate portions that extend through the top slots in the
cross members between the upper and lower portions.
8. A boat comprising a plurality of hulls; a deck supported above
the hulls, the deck including a plurality of panels; and a
plurality of joints for securing the panels of the deck to the
hulls, the joints including receptacles for receiving edges of the
panels.
9. The boat of claim 8, wherein the hulls are interconnected by
cross members, and the joints interlock with the cross members.
10. The boat of claim 9, wherein the joints are generally parallel
to the cross members and include portions received within the cross
members and portions that extend upwardly through the cross
members.
11. The boat of claim 8, wherein the edges of the panels are
defined by lips that are stepped-down relative to main bodies of
the panels.
12. A boat comprising: a hull; a deck supported on the hull; a step
provided within the hull; a cutaway region provided within the deck
for providing access to the step; a boarding ladder connected to
the hull adjacent to the step, the boarding ladder being movable
from between a stowed position and a board/un-board position; and
the boarding ladder including a portion that blocks the cutaway
portion of the deck when in the stowed position.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/488,368 filed Jul. 18, 2003, which
application is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This disclosure relates generally to boats. More
particularly, this disclosure relates to multi-hull boats such as
pontoon boats.
BACKGROUND
[0003] A typical pontoon boat includes a deck mounted on at least
two separate floats or hulls. The separate hulls of a pontoon boat
are commonly referred to as "floats", "pontoons", "logs", or
"sponsons". Cross braces are typically mounted across the top sides
of the hulls to secure the hulls together, and the deck is mounted
to the top sides of the cross braces. Examples of pontoon boats are
disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,184,561; 5,209,177 and 5,435,260.
SUMMARY
[0004] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to an efficient
and aesthetically pleasing technique for coupling multiple hulls of
a boat together.
[0005] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to an
efficient and aesthetically pleasing technique for securing a floor
to multiple hulls of a multi-hull boat.
[0006] A further aspect of the present disclosure relates to system
for coupling multiple hulls together and for supporting a floor,
the system having a relatively small profile and a relatively large
contact area for supporting the floor.
[0007] A variety of examples of desirable product features or
methods are set forth in the description that follows, and in part
will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by
practicing various aspects of the disclosure. The aspects of the
disclosure will relate to individual features as well as
combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the
forgoing general description and the following detailed description
are explanatory only, and are not restrictive of the claimed
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pontoon boat having
features that are examples of inventive aspects in accordance with
the principles of the present disclosure;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a top, plan view of the boat of FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 3 is an exploded, perspective view of the floor, cross
members and pontoons of the pontoon boat of FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing how the floor of
the pontoon boat interlocks with the cross members;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a molded step of the pontoon
boat of FIG. 1, a boarding ladder is shown in a boarding position;
and
[0013] FIG. 6 shows the molded rear step of FIG. 4 with the
boarding ladder in a stowed position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a multi-hull boat 20 having features that
are examples of inventive aspects in accordance with the principles
of the present disclosure. The boat 20 has a floor or deck 22
mounted on a plurality of pontoons 24. In the depicted embodiment,
the boat 20 includes three pontoons 24. However, it will be
appreciated that in other embodiments two pontoons could be used,
or in still other embodiments more than three pontoons could be
used.
[0015] Referring to FIG. 2, the deck layout of the pontoon boat 20
includes a driving console 21 and a plurality of cushioned seats
28. The deck layout also includes an anchor storage locker 30 and
hatches 32 for accessing under deck storage areas. As shown in FIG.
3, the storage areas are preferably provided by recesses or
cavities 40 defined within the top sides of the pontoons 24. In
certain embodiments, the cavities 40 can have a depth of at least
15 inches, a width of at least 20 inches, and a length of at least
5 feet. In one embodiment, certain storage compartments 40 can each
extend at least 25 percent of the length of each of the pontoons
24. In other embodiments, one or more storage compartments can
occupy or coincide with a majority of the length of each of the
pontoons 24.
[0016] Referring again to FIG. 2, the deck layout also includes
boarding step structures 50 integrally molded within the rear ends
of the pontoons 24. A boarding ladder 52 is provided adjacent one
of the steps. The deck layout further includes a collapsible
privacy enclosure 54. Details regarding the privacy enclosure 54
can be found in U.S. application Ser. No. 10/623,476, entitled
Privacy Enclosure, which was filed on Jul. 13, 2003.
[0017] To promote manufacturing efficiency, it is preferred for
each of the pontoons 24 to have an identical construction. As shown
in FIG. 3, the center pontoon 24 is forwardly staggered or offset
relative to the port and starboard pontoons 24. It is preferred for
the pontoons 24 to be manufactured from a plastic material using a
rotational molding process. Examples of rotational molding
processes suitable for making the pontoons are disclosed in U.S.
Pat. Nos. 5,458,844; 5,634,425 and 6,513,736, the disclosures of
which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
However, it will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments,
the pontoons may be made of alternative materials such as aluminum,
fiber reinforced resin, or other materials.
[0018] Referring now to FIG. 3, the pontoons 24 are coupled
together by a plurality of cross members 60. Cross members 60
extend over the top sides of the pontoons 24 across the width of
the boat 20. It is preferred for the cross members 60 to be made of
a steel material such as stainless steel. However, materials such
as aluminum, plastic or wood or other materials could also be used.
In one embodiment, the cross members 60 are made of square tubing
and include a top slot 65 that extends along the length of each
cross member 60.
[0019] As shown in FIG. 3, each of the pontoons 24 has a top side
70 at which two generally parallel, spaced apart rails 72 are
located. The rails 72 extend generally from the stem to the bow of
the boat 20. The storage compartments 40 are defined between the
rails 72. Top surfaces 76 of the rails 72 are preferably co-planar
and provide structure for supporting the floor 22. Each of the
pontoons 24 also includes a central bulkhead 77 that extends
between the rails 72.
[0020] The boat 20 is preferably equipped with structure for
recessing the cross members 60 within the pontoons 24. By recessing
the cross members 60, the overall height or profile of the boat can
be reduced. Also, by recessing the cross members 60, the cross
members can be more easily hidden from view thereby improving the
overall aesthetic appearance of the boat. Moreover, by recessing
the cross members 60, in certain embodiments, top surfaces 61 of
the cross members 60 can be positioned flush or co-planar with the
top sides 76 of the rails 72 such that the underside of the deck 22
is supported upon both the cross members 60 and the rails 72. In
this manner, the floor can be more supported at more support
locations which reduces the amount the floor may flex.
[0021] Referring again to FIG. 3, the rails 72 define notches or
recesses 78 for receiving the cross members 60. It is preferred for
the recesses 78 to have a depth d equal to the height h of each of
the cross members 60. In this manner, top sides 61 of the cross
members 60 will be generally flush or co-planar with the top sides
76 of the rails 72. However, in alternative embodiments, the depth
d may be larger than the height h, such that the top sides 61 of
the cross members 60 are recessed relative to the top sides 76 of
the rails 72. In still other embodiments, the depth d may be
shallower than the heights h such that the top surfaces 76 of the
rails 72 are lower than the top surfaces 61 of the cross members
60.
[0022] Still referring to FIG. 3, some of the cross members 60 are
positioned to cross extend over the bulkheads 77 of the pontoons
24. To accommodate these cross members 60, elongated recesses 80
are provided above the bulkheads.
[0023] It is preferred for the cross members 60 to be secured to
the pontoons 24 with fasteners. For example, in one embodiment,
fasteners such as nuts 90 are embedded within the pontoons 24 at
the bottom walls 83 of the recesses 78 (see FIG. 4). Fasteners such
as bolts 84 are threaded into the nuts to secure the cross members
60 to the pontoons 24.
[0024] It is preferred to secure the deck 22 to the pontoons 24 and
cross brace assembly with a minimum number of fasteners. This is
accomplished by using a plurality of joints 100 to secure the floor
in place. As shown in FIG. 3, the deck 22 includes six floor panels
22a-22f secured in place by joints 100a-100e. As shown in FIG. 4,
the joints 100 each include an upper portion 102 interconnected to
a lower portion 104 by an upright leg 106. Elongated receptacles
108 (e.g., slots, cavities or notches) that face in opposite
directions are defined between the upper portion 102 and the lower
portion 104. The slots 108 are sized to receive lips 110 of the
floor panels 22a-22f. The lips 110 preferably have a stepped-down
thickness as compared to the main bodies of the panels 22a-22f so
as to be recessed. The lower portion 104 of each joint 100 is sized
to fit within an interior of a corresponding one of the cross
braces 60. The top sides of the cross braces 60 define slots 65
sized to receive the upright legs 106 of the joints 100. Thus, when
assembled as shown in FIG. 4, the lower portions 104 fit within the
interiors of the cross members 60, the legs 106 project upwardly
from the interior of the cross members 60 through the slots 65, and
the upper portions 102 of the joints are positioned outside and
above the cross members 60.
[0025] To assemble the floor, joint 100a is inserted within its
corresponding cross member 60 (see FIG. 4). The front lip 110 of
the floor panel 22a is then inserted within the notch 108 of the
joint 100a. Once the lip 110 is inserted within the notch 108, the
back side of the panel 22a is secured to the rails 72 by
conventional techniques such as fasteners such as screws. Once the
panel 22a is secured, the rear lip 110 of panel 22b is inserted
into the forward notch 108 of the joint 100a with the underside of
the panel 22b resting on the rails 72 and the supports 60.
Thereafter, joint 100b is inserted into its corresponding cross
member 60 and slid longitudinally along slot 65 such that the front
lip 110 of panel 22b is captured within the rear notch 108 of the
joint 100b. This process is repeated until each of the panels
22a-22f is secured by their respective joints 100a-100e. After the
rear edge of panel 22f is secured within its corresponding joint
100e, the front portion of the panel 22f is secured to the pontoons
24 by conventional techniques such as screws to prevent the rear
edge from disengaging from the joint 10e. As shown in FIG. 4, when
assembled, top surfaces of the joints 100a-100e are flush with top
surfaces of the floor panels 22a-22f.
[0026] While the floor panels 22a-22f can be made of any number of
different types of materials, it is preferred for the panels to be
made of a plastic material such as polyethylene. In one embodiment,
the floor is made of a plastic material and has a thickness less
than three quarters of an inch. In another embodiment, the floor is
made of plastic and has a thickness less than or equal to five
eighths of an inch.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 1, the pontoon boat 20 is preferably
equipped with a railing 130 that encloses the deck area. In certain
embodiments, rail stanchions 131 of the railing 130 can be mounted
to the cross members 60 for strength.
[0028] To improve the aesthetic look of the boat 20, it is
preferred for the cross members 60 to not be visible. To hide the
cross-members 60, trim pieces 160 (see FIG. 1) are mounted about
the perimeter of the deck 22 so as to cover the ends of the cross
braces 60 and to prevent the cross braces from being seen from the
front, sides or back of the boat. The trim pieces preferably extend
along the port and starboard sides of the boat as well as along the
bow and stem of the boat. Additionally, trim pieces can be mounted
on the underside of the boat at the regions between each of the
pontoons 20. Such trim pieces extend generally parallel to the
pontoons 24 and prevent the braces 60 from being visible from the
underside of the boat.
[0029] As previously indicated, the middle pontoon 24 is forwardly
staggered relative to the port and starboard pontoons. Because the
pontoons are of equal lengths, this staggering forwardly offsets
the central pontoon 24 at both the bow and the stem of the boat. As
shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the offset adjacent the stem provides space
for mounting a motor mount 200.
[0030] Referring again to FIGS. 5 and 6, the integrated rear step
structure 50 includes steps 50a and 50b. To facilitate access to
step 50a, a cutaway region 300 is provided in the deck 22. In use,
the cutaway region 300 allows a passenger to easily step down or up
between the deck 22 and the step 50a. When the boarding ladder 52
is stowed as shown in FIG. 6, a lowermost step 400 of the ladder 52
is configured to fill the cutaway region 300. In a preferred
embodiment, the step 400 is flush with the top side of the deck 20.
However, in other embodiments, the step 400 may be raised or
slightly recessed relative to the top deck surface. By blocking the
cutaway region, the step 400 prevents passengers of the boat from
inadvertently stepping through the cutaway region 300. When in the
boarding/unboarding position of FIG. 5, the steps of the ladder
allow a passenger to easily climb onto or climb from the step
structure 50.
[0031] With regard to the forgoing description, changes may be made
in detail, especially with regard to the shape, size and
arrangement of the parts. It is intended that the specification and
depicted aspects be considered illustrative only and not limiting
with respect to the broad underlying concepts of the present
disclosure.
* * * * *