Ships – Boats – boat component – or attachment
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-15
2001-07-24
Swinehart, Ed (Department: 3617)
Ships
Boats, boat component, or attachment
C114S361000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06263826
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a recreational sprinkler system which directs a coarse spray of water onto portions of a boat and an area surrounding the boat.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Boat canopies are commonly found on a variety of pleasure boats such as pontoon boats. Typically, a canopy protects a portion of the boat and boat occupants from adverse weather conditions. During hot weather, the canopy provides shade for the occupants.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,273 Crouse, II discloses a misting apparatus for a boat in which a plurality of misters are secured to a canopy frame, the misters directing a fine mist to an area beneath the canopy.
While the misting apparatus disclosed in Crouse, II is useful for cooling occupants positioned beneath the canopy, the use of a misting apparatus eliminates any sheltered area within the boat where an occupant or articles may be placed to stay dry. Further, the misting apparatus would be ineffective at cooling a passenger who may be outside the canopy.
Accordingly, there remains room for improvement and variation within the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A general purpose of the present invention is to provide a recreational sprinkler which is adapted for a boat canopy which provides a refreshing, rain-like cascade effect upon an open area of the boat and areas immediately surrounding the boat. Further, the present invention maintains the integrity of a sheltered area beneath the canopy where individuals or supplies may reside to avoid exposure to the resulting spray.
The present invention also provides canopy in which the canopy frame provides a protective enclosure for a water supply line, the water supply line in communication with a sprinkler head supported along an elevated portion of the canopy frame. The sprinkler head may further provide useful ornamentation compatible with a boating motif and environment.
The present invention also provides an upwardly directed fountain spray which then cascades downward in a rain-like effect upon an area adjacent the canopy and sprinkler head. This area may include a portion of the boat as well as an adjacent area surrounding the boat. This arrangement allows the resulting spray to be enjoyed by users who may be swimming in the water adjacent the boat and could extend to a portion of a boat dock.
The sprinkler system provides a useful cooling spray for occupants of the boat, thereby increasing the enjoyment of the boating experience and extending the duration or time of day in which recreational boating activities may be enjoyed. The canopy sprinkler system may be operated while the boat is moving or stationary.
The sprinkler apparatus, under suitable lighting conditions, will refract sunlight to provide a rainbow which is visible to the passengers and passers-by. The rainbow created by the sprinkler apparatus adds to the passengers'recreational enjoyment.
The present invention has surprisingly been found to offer a beneficial effect on sport fish activity by creating a disturbance in the surface water which is believed to stimulate the movement of certain bait fish.
These along with other advantages and features of the present invention are provided by a fountain spray canopy for a boat comprising:
an inverted U-shaped frame supporting a canopy, the frame defining an outlet along an elevated frame element;
a conduit for the passage of water, the conduit having a first end and a second end, the first end of the conduit in communication with the frame outlet and a portion of the conduit operatively disposed within an interior channel defined within the frame, the second end of the conduit in communication with an intake positioned below the water line of a boat;
a nozzle supported by the canopy frame and having a first nozzle end in communication with the conduit first end and a second nozzle end defining a spraying tip;
a pump operatively disposed between the first conduit end and the second conduit end, wherein the pump directs the intake of water into the second conduit end which passes through the conduit and is discharged through the spraying tip of the nozzle.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5044298 (1991-09-01), Pepper et al.
patent: 5520139 (1996-05-01), King et al.
patent: 5613731 (1997-03-01), Aspinall
patent: 5628273 (1997-05-01), Crouse, II
patent: 5823617 (1998-10-01), Schafer
Dority & Manning PA
Swinehart Ed
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