Pivotable arm rest for boat seat

Abstract

A pivotable arm rest for a boat seat or the like includes a bracket secured to the seat and having a pair of projections extending outwardly therefrom. An arm is pivotally supported on one of the projections and extends to a padded arm rest. The arm is secured to the first projection by a knob and is located by the second projection which engages the underside of the arm to locate the arm in an operative position and which engages a tab projecting inwardly from the arm to locate the arm in a stowed position.

Description

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a pivotable arm rest for boat seats and similar applications, and more particularly to a novel arm rest construction which is economical to manufacture and which is simple and easy to operate.

At the present time, one of the more popular boat designs is known as a "bass boat." Such a boat is typically characterized by a relatively long, narrow shape and a hull configuration designed to provide a stable fishing platform. An outboard motor or an inboard/outboard drive is mounted at the rear of the boat for use in propelling the boat at relatively high speeds, and the rear portion of the boat may comprise a cockpit including the usual apparatus for steering the boat and for controlling the direction and speed of operation. The boat further comprises one or more fishing positions each characterized by a seat situated in a substantially elevated position relative to the center line of the boat so as to facilitate fishing. The forward portion of the boat may also include a small, electrically driven trolling motor controllable from one of the fishing positions.

It will be appreciated that in order to facilitate fishing, the fishing seats of a bass boat are preferably as unencumbered as possible. On the other hand, during high speed movement of the boat and during use of the boat for general recreational purposes, both safety and comfort considerations dictate the use of arm rests on the seats. Heretofore, apparatus designed to provide a pivotable arm rest in boat seats and the like have typically comprised mechanisms for pivoting the arm rest to a position behind the seat. These mechanisms have proven to be both prohibitively expensive to manufacture and unduly complicated to operate, and therefore have not gained widespread acceptance.

The present invention comprises an economical and easily operated pivotable arm rest which is particularly adapted for use in conjunction with boat seats and similar applications. In accordance with the broader aspects of the invention, there is provided first and second projections extending from the frame of a boat seat. An arm is pivotally supported on the first projection and extends to an arm rest portion. The second projection of the bracket engages the underside of the arm to locate the arm rest portion in an extended or operative position, and engages a tab projecting inwardly from the arm to locate the arm rest portion in a retracted or stowed position.

In accordance with more specific aspects of the invention, the projections extend from a bracket secured to the frame of the boat seat. Both the bracket and the arm comprise cast metal members and the arm supports a pad on the arm rest portion thereof. A knob threadedly engages the first projection of the bracket to secure the arm thereto. The arm comprises a generally T-shaped cross-section, and the tab comprises an extension of the upper portion of the arm.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the following Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bass boat including a boat seat equipped with a pivotable arm rest incorporating the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of the seat of the boat shown in FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 3 and 4 are enlarged partial perspective views illustrating the operation of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the Drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a bass boat 10 including a fishing seat 12 equipped with a pair of pivotable arm rests 14 incorporating the present invention. The bass boat 10 comprises a hull 16 formed from one of the various plastics or metals conventionally used in boat construction and incorporating any of the various hull designs conventionally used in the construction of fishing boats, and the like. An outboard motor 18 is mounted at the rear end of the hull 16 for use in propelling the bass boat 10 at high speeds. It will be understood, however, that the boat 10 may also be equipped with other conventional types of drive systems, if desired, particularly an inboard/outboard drive system. The boat 10 further includes a cockpit 20 including a helm 22 and a steering console 24. The cockpit 20 includes conventional apparatus for steering the boat 10 and for controlling the speed and direction of operation of the boat.

The fishing seat 12 of the bass boat 10 is mounted at the forward or bow end of the hull 16, and in a substantially elevated relationship with respect to the center line of the boat. In this manner the bass boat 10 is particularly adapted to facilitate fishing while sitting in the seat 12. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the fact that boats of longer length may be provided with a second fishing seat located at the rearward or aft end of the hull 16.

Referring to FIG. 2, a fishing seat 12 comprises a substantially rigid shell 26 formed from one of the various plastic materials and defining the frame of the seat. A seat cushion 28 and a back cushion 30 are mounted in the shell 26 to define the contour of the seat. The cushions 28 and 30 are preferably formed from one of the various plastic foam materials and are covered with one of the soft, pliable plastic sheet materials so as to provide maximum comfort. Moreover, the shell 26 of the seat 12 is preferably both tiltable and vertically adjustable so as to further enhance the comfort of the seat.

The pivotable arm rests 14 of the seat 12 each include a bracket 34 which is secured to the shell 26 of the seat 12 by means of threaded fasteners 36. In accordance with alternative embodiments of the invention, the fasteners 36 may be installed from inside of the shell 26 so as to be invisible in use, and/or the brackets 34 may be adhesively secured to the shell 26. The brackets 34 may also be integrally formed with the shell 26, if desired.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the brackets 34 of the pivotable arm rests 14 are cast from a non-corrosive material such as aluminum. Each bracket 34 has a pair of projections 38 and 40 extending outwardly therefrom. The projection 38 is threaded and comprises a steel insert which is secured in the bracket 34 during the molding process. The projection 40 is unthreaded and is formed integrally with the remainder of the bracket 34 during the casting process.

Each arm rest 14 further includes an arm 44 pivotally supported on the projection 38 of the mounting bracket 34 and extending therefrom to a flange 46. A pad 48 is mounted on the flange 46 of each arm 44. The pad 48 may be of any convenient shape and preferably comprises a body formed from one of the plastic foam materials which is covered by a layer of one of the soft, pliable plastic sheet materials so as to enhance comfort.

The arm 44 is preferably cast from one of the noncorrosive metals, such as aluminum. The arm 44 has a generally T-shaped cross-section and includes a main web 50 and a flange 52 formed at the upper edge of the web 50. An aperture 54 is provided in the web 50 for receiving the projection 38 of the bracket 34, and a tab 56 projects inwardly from the flange 52. A plastic knob 58 threadedly engages the projection 38 of the bracket 34 and serves to retain the arm 44 on the bracket.

The pad 48 of each arm rest 14 is supported by its corresponding arm 44 for pivotable movement relative to the associated bracket 34 between an extended or operative position and a retracted or stowed position. The pad 48 is positioned in the operative position illustrated in FIG. 3 and in full lines in FIG. 2 by first loosening the knob 58, and then raising the arm 44 until the underside of the arm engages the projection 40. The knob 58 is then tightened to secure the arm 44 and the pad 48 in the operative position. During such positioning a projection 40 provides firm support for the arm 44 and the pad 48, thereby substantially enhancing the comfort and safety of the occupants of the seat 12.

The pivotable arm rest 14 is manipulated to the retracted or stowed position by first loosening the knob 58 and then disengaging the arm 44 from the projection 40. The arm 44 and the pad 48 are then pivoted downwardly until the tab 56 engages the projection 40. This positions the component parts in the stowed position illustrated in FIG. 4 and in dashed lines in FIG. 2. In this position the tab 56 and the projection 40 cooperate to locate the arm 44 and the pad 48 such that the component parts of the pivotable arm rest 14 do not interfere with the use of the seat 12 for fishing.

Those skilled in the art will realize that numerous modifications can be made in the basic arm rest design illustrated in the Drawings. Perhaps most importantly, certain boat seat designs include seat frame structure and cushions having rigid back panels which are fastened to the frame. In such instances the projections of the brackets shown in the Drawings may extend from the frame. Another important variation relates to the threaded projection and cooperating knob structure for securing the arm. This may be replaced with other conventional apparatus, if desired. Finally, the cushion on the end of the arm may be dispensed with in favor of corresponding structure formed integrally with the arm.

From the foregoing it will be understood that the present invention comprises a pivotable arm rest particularly adapted for use in conjunction with boat seats and the like, and comprising numerous advantages over the prior art. Perhaps the most important advantage deriving from the use of the invention relates to the fact that pivotable arm rests constructed in accordance with the invention are exceedingly simple and uncomplicated to operate. Another advantage involves the fact that arm rests may be constructed in accordance with the invention very economically. Still another important advantage involves the fact that by means of the invention, an arm rest is securely retained in an operative position for use during high speed travel and general recreational boating, and yet is quickly and easily pivotable to a stowed position wherein it does not interfere in any way with the use of the same seat for fishing.

Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in the foregoing Detailed Description and illustrated in the accompanying Drawings, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions of parts and elements without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. In combination:

a fishing boat including:

a relatively long, relatively narrow hull;

drive means for propelling the hull at relatively high speeds; and

an operating compartment including means facilitating steering of the boat and controlling the operation of the drive means;

a fishing seat supported on the hull of the fishing boat and including:

a substantially rigid seat shell;

a generally horizontally disposed bottom cushion mounted on the shell; and

a generally vertically disposed back cushion mounted on the shell;

a pivotable arm rest for the boat seat including:

a bracket secured to the boat shell and having at least one projection extending horizontally therefrom;

an arm pivotally supported on the projection of the bracket and extending therefrom to an arm rest portion; and

cooperating means on the arm and the bracket for selectively securing the arm either in an operative position wherein the arm rest portion of the arm extends outwardly from the back cushion and substantially above the bottom cushion of the boat seat and a stowed position wherein the arm rest portion of the arm is positioned adjacent to and substantially below the bottom cushion of the boat seat and for releasing the arm for pivotal movement about the projection of the bracket downwardly from the operative position to the stowed position and upwardly from the stowed position to the operative position the cooperating means further comprising:

a second projection extending from the bracket at a point spaced from the first projection;

a first surface on the arm for cooperation with the second projection to support the arm in the operative position;

a second surface on the arm for cooperation with the second projection to support the arm in the stowed position; and

a knob threadedly engaging the first projection for cooperation therewith to alternately secure the arm either in the operative position or in the stowed position, and to release the arm for pivotal movement between the two positions.

2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the arm has a T-shaped cross-section and includes a main web and an upper flange, wherein the first surface of the arm comprises the underside of the web, and wherein the second surface of the arm comprises a tab projecting from the flange.

3. The combination according to claim 1 further including pad means comprising the arm rest portion of the arm and pivotable with the arm between the operative and the stowed positions.