Ships – Fenders
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-04
2001-02-27
Avila, Stephen (Department: 3617)
Ships
Fenders
C114S343000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06192818
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a new and improved protective device for watercraft. More particularly, the invention is directed to a protective device which comprises a generally planar aliphatic transparent deformable urethane member which is approximately 16 millimeters thick and which is attachable to a watercraft bow by 3M™ VHB™ adhesive to protect the bow from damage caused by collisions of the watercraft with trailers, docks, the shore, other watercraft, debris in the water, and the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
Numerous devices have heretofore been proposed for providing bow protection to various types of watercraft. However, each of the prior art devices have been found wanting in one or more particulars. In particular, these devices have generally been ablative and relatively thick. Consequently, these devices have worn quickly and have also significantly altered the bow profile and the resultant hydrodynamic performance of the watercraft.
Hence, there is a need in the art for a protective device for watercraft which protects the bow of a watercraft and resists wear, mutilation and disfigurement. There is also a need in the art for a protective device which is relatively thin.
It is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved protective device for watercraft.
More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved protective device for watercraft which protects the bow of a watercraft from damage caused by collisions with trailers, docks, the shore, other watercraft, debris in the water, and the like.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved protective device for watercraft which resists wear, mutilation and disfigurement.
Another object of the instant invention is to provide an improved protective device for watercraft which is relatively thin.
A further object of the present invention to provide an improved protective device for watercraft which is relatively thin so that bow profile of the watercraft and the hydrodynamic performance of the watercraft are not significantly altered.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved protective device for watercraft which is deformable when disposed over the bow of a watercraft in order to conform to the bow of various shapes and sizes of watercraft.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved protective device for watercraft which have all the advantages of the prior art and none of its disadvantages.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the detailed description annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
A broad aspect of the invention comprises a novel protective device for a watercraft which protects the exterior surface of the bow of a watercraft of different shapes and sizes from damage which is caused by collisions of the watercraft with trailers, docks, the shore, other watercraft, debris in the water, and the like which does not significantly alter the bow profile and the resulting hydrodynamic flow of water over the exterior surface of the bow of a watercraft.
One embodiment of the invention utilizes a generally planar aliphatic transparent deformable urethane member. The urethane member has a pair of opposed elongated arm members which diverge outwardly from the length of the longitudinal axis of the urethane member. The urethane member is shaped and dimensioned to conform to and cover the exterior surface of the bow of a watercraft. A layer of adhesive secures the urethane member to the exterior surface of the bow of a watercraft.
For this embodiment, it is most advantageous that the urethane member has an approximate uniform thickness of 16 millimeters. It is also beneficial for the layer of adhesive to uniformly cover the entire surface of the urethane member in order to attach the urethane member to the exterior surface of the bow of a watercraft. Further embodiments will become obvious hereafter.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other devices for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the invention be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
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patent: 5133516 (1992-07-01), Marentic et al.
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Avila Stephen
Wiemelt Mark E.
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