U.S. patent application number 11/966296 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-03 for boat tower with integral air tank.
Invention is credited to John D. Clemmons, Michael John Murphy.
Application Number | 20080156248 11/966296 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39582138 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080156248 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Clemmons; John D. ; et
al. |
July 3, 2008 |
Boat Tower with Integral Air Tank
Abstract
The present invention is an elevated boat tower that provides a
vessel for the storage of compressed air therein. The device
provides easy access and use of the compressed air within elongated
and substantially hollow tube members connected at each end thereof
to either the boat or other tube members. At least one air valve
allows for compressed air to be selectively introduced into or
released from within the boat tower.
Inventors: |
Clemmons; John D.; (Canyon
Lake, CA) ; Murphy; Michael John; (Canyon Lake,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
QUICKPATENTS, INC.
32861 CALLE PERFECTO, SUITE A
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO
CA
92675
US
|
Family ID: |
39582138 |
Appl. No.: |
11/966296 |
Filed: |
December 28, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60877708 |
Dec 29, 2006 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
114/343 ;
114/253 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63B 25/14 20130101;
B63B 34/60 20200201 |
Class at
Publication: |
114/343 ;
114/253 |
International
Class: |
B63B 17/00 20060101
B63B017/00; B63B 21/56 20060101 B63B021/56 |
Claims
1. A boat tower for a boat, comprising: a frame comprising a
plurality of elongated tube members each having at least two ends,
at least two of the ends coupled to the boat at a boat attachment,
at least one of the tube members being substantially hollow and
sealed at each of its ends to form at least one gas vessel, each
tube member joined to at least one other tube member at a tube
attachment; at least one valve in fluid communication with the at
least one gas vessel, such that gas may be selectively introduced
into or released from within the at least one gas vessel.
2. The boat tower of claim 1 wherein at least one of the tube
attachments is a pivoting attachment.
3. The boat tower of claim 2 wherein the pivoting attachment
comprises a transverse aperture through one of the ends of each of
two of the tube members, and a pivot bolt traverses each aperture
to pivotally attach each tube member to the other, the pivot bolt
being selectively tightenable to rigidly fix the two tube members
together.
4. The boat tower of claim 1 wherein at least one of the tube
attachments is an air-tight weld fixing two of the substantially
hollow tube members together to allow fluid communication therein,
such that the at least one gas vessel is formed by both such tube
members.
5. The boat tower of claim 1 wherein at least two of the tube
members are substantially hollow, and wherein an air conduit is
disposed between and traversing each of the tube members to allow
fluid communication therebetween.
6. The boat tower of claim 1 wherein the valve is a tire inflation
valve.
7. The boat tower of claim 1 further including at least one tow
rope attachment attached to at least one of the tube members.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application 60/877,708, filed on Dec. 29, 2006, and
incorporated herein by reference.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] This invention relates to boat towers, and more particularly
to a boat tower having a compressed air storage feature.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Compressed air is a common need on boats. Compressed air is
used for diving purposes and also for inflation purposes of devices
such as inflatable toys and rafts. However, compressed air must be
contained in a vessel to be under pressure greater than that of the
atmosphere. Typically, compressed air for boats is stored in
compressed air tanks. However, storage space on boats is limited
and compressed air tanks are bulky and heavy items that take up
precious boat space. Items used on boats are often custom designed
to conserve space. Therefore, a need exists for a novel and
efficient way to store compressed air on a boat. Such a needed
device would further allow easy access.
[0005] Elevated boat towers fixed to boats for pulling water
skiers, wake boarders, and the like have become popular in recent
years. Such towers can provide the water sports enthusiast more
lift due to an elevated tow rope, and can further provide
additional stored energy when used in combination with a recoil
device such as disclosed in our U.S. Pat. No. 7,234,408, issued on
Jun. 26, 2007. Other boat towers are known for supporting
electronics, radars and antennas, fishing rod holders, fishing
lights, and the like. Elevated boat towers are attached to the
outside of a boat and do not take up precious storage space in a
boat. However, the frame members of such towers are typically
hollow, and the space therein is not well utilized.
[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a compressed air vessel that
utilizes the otherwise hollow tube members of an elevated boat
tower to store compressed air. Such a needed device would allow
compressed air to be stored in a boat tower, yet would still
provide easy access and use of both. The present invention
accomplishes these objectives.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present device is a boat tower that includes a frame
comprising a plurality of elongated tube members each having at
least two ends. At least two of the ends are coupled to the boat at
a boat attachment. At least one of the tube members is
substantially hollow and sealed at each of its ends to form at
least one gas vessel for storing compressed air. Each tube member
is joined to at least one other tube member at a tube attachment.
At least one valve is in fluid communication with the at least one
gas vessel, such that gas may be selectively introduced into or
released from within the at least one gas vessel.
[0008] In one embodiment, at least one of the tube attachments is a
pivoting attachment. The pivoting attachment allows the height of
the boat tower to be adjusted as desired. In a preferred
embodiment, the pivoting attachment comprises a transverse aperture
through one of the ends of each of two of the tube members. A pivot
bolt traverses each aperture to pivotally attach each tube member
to the other. The pivot bolt is selectively tightenable to rigidly
fix the two tube members together.
[0009] In one embodiment, at least one of the tube attachments is
an air-tight weld fixing two of the substantially hollow tube
members together to allow fluid communication therein, such that
the at least one gas vessel is formed by both such tube
members.
[0010] In another embodiment, where at least two of the tube
members are substantially hollow, an air conduit is disposed
between and traversing each of the tube members to allow fluid
communication therebetween. In another embodiment, the boat tower
further includes at least one tow rope attachment attached to at
least one of the tube members.
[0011] The present invention is an elevated boat tower to store
compressed air. The device allows compressed air to be stored in a
boat tower, yet still provides easy access and use of the
compressed air. Further, in one embodiment, the present invention
allows the boat tower height to be adjusted as needed for
convenience. Other features and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent from the following more detailed description,
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which
illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention, illustrating
a pivoting boat tower;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the invention, taken
generally along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1, illustrating a gas vessel;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the invention, taken
generally along lines 3-3 of FIG. 1, illustrating an air
conduit;
[0015] FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the invention, taken
generally along lines 4-4 of FIG. 1, illustrating a valve;
[0016] FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the invention, taken
generally along lines 4-4 of FIG. 1, illustrating an air compressor
filling nozzle;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the invention, taken
generally along lines 5-5 of FIG. 1, illustrating an air-tight
weld;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the invention, taken
generally along lines 6-6 of FIG. 1, illustrating a pivoting
attachment; and
[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the invention, illustrating
a non-pivoting boat tower.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0020] With respect to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 7 illustrate a
boat tower 10 for a boat 40. The boat tower 10 includes a frame 50
comprising a plurality of elongated tube members 60 each having at
least two ends 62. At least two of the ends 62 are coupled to the
boat 40 at a boat attachment 70. Preferably, the boat tower 10 is
attached to the boat 40 using exactly four boat attachments 70. At
least one of the tube members 65 is substantially hollow and sealed
at each of its ends 62 to form at least one gas vessel 30 (FIG. 2)
for storing compressed air. Each tube member 60 is joined to at
least one other tube member at a tube attachment 80.
[0021] The tube members 60 are preferably made from a light weight,
durable material with enough strength to withstand the pressure of
containing air under pressure, such as aluminum, but can also be
formed from any suitable rigid material, such as other metals or
rigid plastic, if desired. The material for the tube members 60
would also preferably be well suited to remain durable and strong
under repeated exposure to both fresh water and salt water
conditions, preferably aluminum, though other well suited materials
can be used, if desired.
[0022] As illustrated in FIG. 4A, at least one valve 90 is in fluid
communication with the at least one gas vessel 30, such that gas 20
may be selectively introduced into or released from within the at
least one gas vessel 30. In one embodiment, the valve 90 is a tire
inflation type valve 95 with a protective cap 92 (FIG. 4A). In
another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4B, an air compressor
filling nozzle 98 is used with the valve 90 to add compressed air
to the boat tower 10.
[0023] In one embodiment as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 6, at least
one of the tube attachments 80 is a pivoting attachment 82. The
pivoting attachment 82 allows the height of the boat tower 10 to be
adjusted as desired. In a preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG.
6, the pivoting attachment 82 comprises a transverse aperture 83
through one of the ends 62 of each of two of the tube members 60. A
pivot bolt 84 traverses each aperture 83 to pivotally attach each
tube member 60 to the other. The pivot bolt 84 is selectively
tightenable to rigidly fix the two tube members 60 together.
[0024] In one embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7, at least one
of the tube attachments 80 is an air-tight weld 88 fixing two of
the substantially hollow tube members 65 together to allow fluid
communication therein, such that the at least one gas vessel 30 is
formed by both such tube members 65. FIG. 7 further illustrates a
non-pivoting embodiment of the boat tower 10. This embodiment
provides a stronger structure for the boat tower 10 but does not
provide the benefits of height adjustment.
[0025] In another embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 6, where at
least two of the tube members 65 are substantially hollow, an air
conduit 100 is disposed between and traversing each of the tube
members 65 to allow fluid communication therebetween. The air
conduit 100 is preferably made from a flexible durable strong
material, such as rubber tubing, but other suitable material can be
used, if desired. This embodiment allows fluid communication
between tube members 65 that are connected via a pivoting
attachment 82. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, the boat
tower 10 further includes at least one tow rope attachment 110
attached to at least one of the tube members 60.
[0026] While a particular form of the invention has been
illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various
modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. For example, the boat tower 10 can be
attached to the boat 40 with different number of boat attachments
70 depending on the design of the boat tower 10 and the shape of
the boat 40. Also, different types of valves 90 can be used
depending on the needs for compressed air. Accordingly, it is not
intended that the invention be limited, except as by the appended
claims.
* * * * *