U.S. patent number 3,821,825 [Application Number 05/392,769] was granted by the patent office on 1974-07-02 for boat seat mounting.
Invention is credited to Mansel M. Bailey.
United States Patent |
3,821,825 |
Bailey |
July 2, 1974 |
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.
Inventors: |
Bailey; Mansel M.
(Independence, MO) |
Family
ID: |
23551936 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/392,769 |
Filed: |
August 29, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
114/363; 297/252;
297/344.24 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63B
29/04 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B63B
29/04 (20060101); B63B 29/00 (20060101); B63b
029/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;9/7 ;297/250,252,349
;24/68SK,68T,68CD,69TS,69SK,7SK ;292/256.69 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: King; Lloyd L.
Assistant Examiner: Reese; Randolph A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Fishburn, Gold & Litman
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.
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.
* * * * *