Boat Seat Mounting

Abstract

A removable boat seat attachment having a seat rotatably mounted on a base member which is selectively extendable in length to accommodate different widths of thwarts. The base member has thwart or seat board engaging members which co-operate with an adjustable clamp having thwart or seat board engaging portions wherein the base member and the clamp co-operate to engage opposite edges of the thwart or seat board for securing the base member thereto. Quick release locking type fasteners have portions secured to the base member and the clamp operable for urging and normally maintaining the thwart engaging portions in clamping engagement and removably securing the boat seat attachment thereto.

Description

Boats, particularly small boats, are provided with thwarts which provide seating for occupants of the boat. Typical thwarts are comprised of a flat board or seat member extending transversely across the boat and generally are uncomfortable for long periods of occupancy in the boat and do not have back rests which provide back support for the occupants. Boat seat attachments are known in the art wherein a seat is secured to the thwart for providing greater occupancy comfort. Such boat seat attachments have their difficulties such as time consuming attachment to the thwarts, inability to be mounted on different widths of thwarts, and have expensive and complicated mounting structures etc.

The principle objects of the present invention are: to provide a boat seat mounting attachment for boats for removably mounting an auxiliary rotatable seat on a thwart of a boat which overcomes the above mentioned difficulties; to provide such a boat seat attachment which is easily secured to a thwart having quick release latches operable for securing the boat seat attachment to the thwart; to provide such a boat seat attachment with channel portions or wide hook members for engaging opposite edges of the thwart and a frame structure that has a selectively extendable length to vary the spacing between the channel portions to accommodate different widths of thwarts; to provide such a boat seat attachment with resilient material on surfaces which would normally engage the thwart to prevent marring thereof and to also prevent relative movement between the attachment and the thwart; and to provide such a boat seat attachment that is sturdy in construction, versatile, easy and inexpensive to manufacture, easy to operate and maintain and well adapted for its intended use.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth by way of illustration and example certain embodiments of this invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a boat seat attachment secured to a thwart.

FIG. 2 is a section view of the boat seat attachment taken along the line 2--2 FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view in perspective of the boat seat mounting structure.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the boat seat mounting structure.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

As required detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriate detailed structure.

The reference numeral 1 designates generally a boat seat mounting attachment which is operable for securing an auxiliary seat 2 to a thwart 3, as in conventional practice, which extends transversely across a boat and can have opposite ends secured to opposite sides of the boat (not shown). Opposed thwart engaging elements 5 and 6 are arranged so as to face generally towards one another and engage opposite edges 7 and 8 of the thwart 3 and are suitably urged and held into engagement therewith for securing the attachment 1 to the thwart 3. The thwart engaging portions are arranged for adjustment to accommodate different width thwarts or seat boards and are releasably clamped to the thwarts so as to quickly mount or demount the seat 2 on the thwart 3.

The attachment 1 is provided with a base member 10 which is adapted to be mounted on the thwart 3 and has the seat 2 mounted thereon and preferably has separate portions with the thwart engaging elements 5 and 6 each depending from a respective base member portion. Preferably the base member 10 has means operable for permitting extension of the length thereof for adjusting the spacing between the elements 5 and 6 to accommodate different width thwarts. In the illustrated structure the base member 10 includes a frame structure 13 comprised of a pair of spaced apart and generally parallel frame members 12 having cross brace members 11 extending between and secured thereto such as by welding. Each of the frame members 12 has opposed ends 15 and 16 with an element 5 depending from each end 15 and preferably being integral with the respective frame member.

The attachment 1 is provided with suitable means for securing the seat 2 to the base 10 wherein the seat 2 preferably is rotatable relative to the base 10 and the thwart 3. In the illustrated structure a swivel bearing plate 18 is suitably secured to the frame 13 and has a platform 19 which is rotatable relative to the frame 13. Any suitable means of securing the bearing plate 18 to the frame 13 can be used and as illustrated the bearing plate 18 includes a mounting plate 20 adapted to engage the frame 13 and be secured thereto. Suitable fasteners 21 such as screws each extend through a respective aperture 23 with the aperture being spaced apart and through the frame members 12. The screws 21 threadably engage threaded holes in the plate 20 and as illustrated threaded members 24 are secured to the plate 20 providing greater bearing length for the screws 21 than would be provided if holes in the plate 20 were threaded. Tightening of the screws 21 secures the bearing plate 18 to the frame 13. Preferably the heads of the screws 21 are countersunk or recessed so that they will not contact the thwart 3 and damage same when the attachment 1 is secured thereto. The bearing plate 18 is of generally standard construction wherein a shaft 26 extends through the platform 19 and mounting plate 20, holding same together and providing a pivot about which the platform 19 can rotate relative to the plate 21 and the frame 13. It is preferred that the bearing plate 18 be provided with low friction bearing means to facilitate the relative rotation and as illustrated bearing members such as ball bearings 27 are interposed between the platform 19 and plate 21 and suitably retained therebetween. The bearings 27 are retained in opposed grooves 28 and 29 in the platform 19 and plate 21 respectively and are disposed circumferentially about the shaft 26. A retaining ring 30 has a plurality of circumferentially spaced holes 31 with each receiving a ball bearing 27 therein and retaining them in spaced relation.

It is desirable that the base 10 be extendable in length so that the distance between the elements 5 and 6 is adjustable so as to accommodate different widths of thwarts 3. In the illustrated structure each of the frame members 12 is channel shaped having a bight 32 and spaced flanges 33 defining channels or ways 34. Each of the channels 34 has a slide bar 35 slideably received or mounted therein and are movable relative to the elements 5 and the frame members 12. It is to be noted that the elements 5 may be also secured to the slide bars 35 rather than the frame members 12 and still provide the same result in extending the length of the base 10. Preferably the slide bars 35 have a width substantially equal to the spacing between the flanges 33 and has a length substantially equal to the length of the frame members 12. A through elongate slot 36 is provided in each of the bars 35 and extends longitudinally along the length thereof wherein the screws 21 extend through the slots 36 with sufficient clearance therebetween to allow sliding movement of the bars 35 within the respective channels 34. Preferably the slots 36 are centrally located between the side edges of the bars 35 to accommodate the screws 21 which are correspondingly positioned. Means are provided for securing the bars 35 in a selected position and restraining their movement within the respective channels 34. As illustrated, set screws 38 are in threaded engagement with and extend through the plate 20 preferably with one set screw 38 being positioned to engage the respective bar 35 on one side of the slot 36 and the other set screw 38 is positioned to engage the bar 35 on the other side of the slot 36. Such an arrangement of the set screws 38 also prevents tipping of the bars 35 within the channels 34.

As described above the base 10 preferably has separable portions one of which is the frame 13 and the other being a member 39 that has a flange 40 which has the element 6 depending therefrom. In use the member 39 is positioned adjacent to free ends 41 of the bars 35. In the illustrated structure the elements 5 and 6 are hook or channel shaped each having a flange portion 43 and 44 respectively for engaging or being positioned beneath the thwart 3 helping secure the base 10 thereto. It is to be noted though that the elements 5 and 6 can be provided with means other than the flange portion 43 and 44 to help prevent the base 10 from moving upwardly and off the thwart 3. The hooks or elements 5 are spaced apart and are each secured to a respective frame member 12 but it is to be understood that the element 5 can extend across the width of the frame 13. Likewise, the element 6 can be separate and spaced apart members but is illustrated as a single piece extending the width of the frame 13 and the member 39. In the illustrated structure the flange 44 is provided with a plurality of spaced apart notches 44' for a purpose to be later described.

Suitable connecting means co-operate with the frame 13 and the member 39 for urging the elements 5 and 6 toward one another and into clamping engagement with the thwart 3 for securing the attachment 1 thereto with the connecting means also being operable to selectively release the base member portions or sections for removal of the base 10 and seat 2. It is preferred that the means be of a quick release type and that are lockable for securing the attachment 1 to the thwart 3. In the illustrated structure the means includes one or more toggle type fasteners or latches 46 having portions secured to the separable sections of the base 10. As shown the fasteners 46 are a pair with each having an abutment member 47 secured to a bar 35 adjacent to the free end 41 thereof. Any suitable manner of securing may be used and as shown rivets 48 or other suitable fasteners are used. Each fastener 46 has a base portion 49 suitably secured to the flange 40 such as with rivets 50. A toggle operating arm or lever 52 is pivotly or swingably mounted on the base 49 as at 53 with the toggle 52 having a hand engaging portion 54 for facilitating movement of the toggle 52 back and forth between a retracted position and an extended position. A connecting link member 56 preferably has one end suitably secured to the toggle 52 and is preferably swingable relative thereto and has a free end engageable with the abutment 47 to selectively connect the separable base sections. The link 56 as illustrated is a loop wherein the free end is a bight portion 57 remote from the toggle 52 and is operable to engage a respective abutment 47 wherein movement of the toggle 52 from the extended position to the retracted position urges the elements 5 and 6 to move toward one another and into clamping engagement with the opposed edges 7 and 8 of the thwart 3. In the illustrated structure the abutments 47 have lips or flanges 58 which help retain the bight 57 in engagement with the abutment 47. As shown the abutments 47 are hook members and the links 56 are disengageable therefrom. It is to be noted that the link 56 can have one end secured to the abutment 47 so as not to be disengageable therefrom whereby the fasteners 46 are secured to and extend between the frame 13 and the member 39 so that same are not separable. As disclosed above it is preferred that the fasteners 46 be of a locking type to present a resistance to moving from the retracted position. Locking is accomplished by having the pivot 53 positioned above the point of engagement between the bight 57 and the 47 and the point of pivoting engagement between the link 56 and the toggle 52 when same is in the retracted position.

It is desirable to provide the attachment with means for preventing marring of the thwart 3 by the attachment 1 when same is secured thereto. As illustrated a layer of resilient material 59 is secured to surfaces of the elements 5 and 6, flange 40, frame members 12 and braces 11 which would normally engage the thwart when the attachment 1 is secured thereto. The resilient material 59 serves a two-fold purpose, one in preventing damage to the thwart 3 and also helping to prevent relative movement between the attachment and the thwart 3 when same is secured thereto.

The seat 2 is secured to the platform 19 in any suitable manner such as by having fasteners such as screws extending through openings 61 in the platform 19 with the fasteners 62 engaging portions of the seat 2 securing same to the platform 19. As illustrated the openings 61 are elongate providing clearance or tolerance to compensate for manufacturing tolerance in the seat 2 and platform 19.

The present invention is more fully understood by a description of the operation thereof. In the structure illustrated the thwart 3 is secured to upright and spaced apart support members 65 which preferably extend across the boat and secured to opposite sides thereof. Securing can be by any suitable means and as shown securing is accomplished with screws 66 and nuts 67 with the screws 66 extending through the thwart 3 and a flange portion 69 of each of the supports 65 with the screw heads preferably being countersunk. The supports 65 and the thwart 3 form a chamber 70 that can be filled with a low density floatation material 71 such as foam to provide buoyancy or floatation for the boat if capsized. The notches 44' provide clearance between the flange 44 and the screws 66 and nuts 67 and permit short adjustments laterally of the attachment 1 on the thwart 3. When it is desired to mount the attachment on a thwart 3 the set screws 38 are loosened and the bars 35 are moved to adjust the spacing between the elements 5 and 6 for the particular thwart on which the attachment 1 is to be secured. After the adjustment is completed the set screws 38 are tightened and the frame 13 is placed on the thwart 3 with the elements 5 engaging an edge thereof. The member 39 is then placed on the thwart 3 with the toggles 52 being in alignment with the abutments 47 and with the element 6 in engagement with the other edge thwart 3. The toggles 52 are moved to an extended position and the bights 57 of the links 56 are placed in engagement with the respective abutment 47 after which the toggles 52 are moved to a retracted position and locked whereby the elements 5 and 6 are urged into clamping engagement to the respective edges 7 and 8 of the thwart 3 thereby securing the attachment 1 and seat 2 to the thwart 3. When the seat 2 is no longer needed it may be simply removed or demounted by moving the toggles 52 to their extended position and moving the bights 57 out of engagement with the abutments 47 after which the attachment 1 can be removed from the thwart 3.

It is to be understood that while I have illustrated and described certain forms of my invention it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown except to the extent that such limitations are found in the claims.

Claims

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A removable seating device for attachment to a thwart connected at opposite ends to opposite sides of a boat, said seating device comprising:

a. a base structure having separable first and second sections with thwart edge engaging portions, said edge engaging portion on the first section being opposed to said edge engaging portion on the second section;

b. said first section being a main section adapted to rest on a thwart having opposed edges with the respective thwart edge engaging portion being engageable with one of said opposed edges;

c. a seat member;

d. means mounting said seat member on said main section;

e. separable connecting means having portions on each of said first and second sections, said means being operable for selectively releasing said sections one from the other for removal of the seat and base structure from the thwart and to connect said sections and draw one toward the other for affecting clamping of the opposed thwart edges between said thwart engaging portions;

f. said separable connecting means including a toggle structure with an operating arm pivoted on a portion of the toggle structure which is mounted on one of said first and second base sections and a link pivoted on the arm and extending therefrom, said link having a free end portion separably engaging the other portion of the toggle structure which is mounted on the other of said first and second base sections, said operating arm being movable between a retracted position and an extended position.

2. A removable seating device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said thwart edge engaging portions include:

a. a first member depending from one end of said main section remote from said second base section, said first member being hook shaped and opening generally toward said second base section and receiving one of said opposed thwart edges therein;

b. a second member depending from said second base section, said second member being hook shaped and opening generally toward said first member and receiving the other said opposed edge therein.

3. A removable seating device as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

a. said main section of the base structure having relatively movable portions wherein said main section is selectively extendable in length and the spacing between said opposed thwart edge engaging portions being adjustable for accommodating different width thwarts;

b. means cooperating with the relatively movable portions of said base structure and normally securing same in the selected extended position.

4. A removable seating device as set forth in claim 3 wherein said seat member mounting means includes:

a. a swivel bearing plate secured to said main base structure and having a platform rotatable relative thereto;

b. means securing said seat member to said platform wherein said seat member is rotatable relative to said base structure and said thwart.

5. A removable seating device as set forth in claim 4 wherein said base structure relatively movable portions includes:

a. a plurality of spaced apart and generally parallel channel forming members on said main base section with said channels extending in a direction generally between said opposed thwart edge engaging portions;

b. elongate slide members each being slidably received in a respective said channel and having a free end adjacent said second base section with said free ends being movable relative to and away from said channel members thereby providing extension of the length of said base structure and said connecting means being on said free ends of said second base section;

c. fastening means on said main base section and selectively engaging said slide members to secure same in selected extended position.

6. A removable seating device as set forth in claim 5 wherein:

a. said toggle structure being a plurality with each having an abutment member secured to one of said second base section and a respective said slide member, each said toggle structure having a body portion secured to said second base section and said slide member;

b. said links each being engageable with a respective abutment member wherein pivoting of said operating arm to the retracted position urges said opposed thwart engaging portions into engagement with said opposed thwart edges.

7. A removable seating device as set forth in claim 5 including:

a. resilient material secured in covering relation to under surfaces of said first and second base sections for engaging portions of said thwart preventing marring of said thwart by said base structure.

8. A removable seating device for attachment to a thwart connected at opposite ends to opposite side of a boat, said seating device comprising:

a. a base structure having first and second sections with opposed thwart edge engaging portions;

b. said first base section being adapted to rest on a thwart having opposed edges with the respective thwart edge engaging portion being engageable with one of said opposed edges, said first base section having selectively adjustable portions movable toward and away from the respective thwart engaging portion thereof to vary the spacing therebetween, said second base section thwart engaging portion being engageable with the other said opposed edge;

c. a seat member and swivel means mounting same on said first base section;

d. connecting means having portions thereof on said second section and said adjustable portions adjacent said second section, said connecting means including a toggle structure having an operating arm pivoted on a base member that is on one of said adjustable portions and second section and a link pivoted on said operating arm and having an end remote from said pivoted end in engagement with an abutment member on the other of said adjustable portions and second section, said operating arm being movable from an extended position to a retracted position selectively drawing said first and second base sections toward one another for effecting clamping of the opposed thwart edges between said thwart engaging portions.

9. A removable seating device as set forth in claim 8 wherein said thwart edge engaging portions include:

a. at least one first member depending from one end of said first base section remote from said second base section, said first member being hook shaped and opening generally toward said second base section and adapted for receiving one of said opposed thwart edges therein;

b. at least one second member depending from said second base section, said second member being hook shaped and opening generally toward said first member and adapted for receiving the other said opposed thwart edge therein.