Ships – Boats – boat component – or attachment – Inflatable
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-25
2001-09-04
Avila, Stephen (Department: 3617)
Ships
Boats, boat component, or attachment
Inflatable
Reexamination Certificate
active
06283056
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to fixtures for use in connection with inflatable objects and more particularly for valves or other components connected to inner tubes of inflatable boats.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
U.S. Pat. No. 5,943,978 to Garnier, incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference, illustrates an exemplary boat having inflatable tubes as fenders and, among other components, a transom. The tubes of the boat are designed to be inflated with air to make the boat buoyant in water. The transom, to which an outboard motor may be fitted, typically is formed of wood or another sturdy material such as (but not limited to) metal.
Because in use the exteriors of the tubes contact multiple objects, their puncture and wear characteristics may be significant. To reduce the likelihood of premature puncture or wear of many tubes, manufacturers coat or cover them with puncture-inhibiting chemicals or fabrics. Alternatively or additionally, manufacturers may fill the tubes with foam (rather than air) to minimize their buoyancy loss should the tubes be punctured or torn. U.S. Pat. No. 5,282,436 to Hansen describes certain variations of such foam-filled tubes, calling them “stabilizing members.” Notwithstanding inclusion of buoyant foam in the members, the boats of the Hansen patent may nevertheless need the exteriors of the stabilizing members to be coated or covered “with a protective material, such as a rubber, liquid vinyl or some other plastic material” to “increase damage tolerance.” See Hansen, col. 6, 11. 21-25.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,685 to Hemphill, et al., also incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference, describes additional foam-collared boats. Disclosed in the Hemphill patent are two coatings for the collars, preferably a urethane elastomer for use as one coating and two-component polyurethane system for the other. Both coatings are detailed as being capable of providing at least some abrasion-resistance, with the first above-described coating also designed to supply “strength” and “elongation.” See Hemphill, col. 4, 11. 28-64.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides alternative methods of enhancing the damage resistance of objects such as boats, particularly those having inflatable tubes or “fenders.” Rather than filling foam into the fenders, the present invention incorporates one or more inflatable inner members or tubes into the fenders Additionally included as part of the invention is an innovative valve assembly, which facilitates inflation and deflation of the inner tubes.
Thus, rather than requiring the tubular fenders to be coated or covered with further protective material, the present invention permits the fenders themselves to function as protective material for the inflatable inner tubes. The fenders may, of course, be coated or covered for additional protection. Nevertheless, such coating or covering is not absolutely necessary for satisfactory damage resistance.
Inner tubes of the invention typically are inserted within the fenders and inflated so that the fenders fit snugly about them. However, because the fenders themselves are usually sealed (or nearly so) from the ambient environment, removal of the inner tubes from the fenders for repair, replacement, addition of air, or otherwise may be difficult. The invention therefore includes a valve assembly adapted for connection to both the inner tubes and fenders and which facilitates removal of the inner tubes when necessary.
In use, a valve assembly is attached to its associated inner tube, preferably (although not necessarily) near an end thereof. As attached, the valve assembly and inner tube combination presents a combined object capable of being sealed and thereby isolated from its ambient external environment. By opening a valve formed as part of the assembly, air (or other fluid) may be caused to flow into or out of the inner tube, hence inflating or deflating it.
Unlike existing devices, the valve assembly of the present invention also may be connected to the outer fenders and have portions detached therefrom without opening the valve. Stated differently, even after an inner tube is inserted into a fender and inflated, it may easily be deflated and removed from the fender merely by grasping part of the assembly and pulling to withdraw it from the corresponding fender. The present invention thus permits both facile removal of the inner tubes from a boat or other object and inflation and deflation thereof.
After removal of the detachable portion of the assembly and the inner tube connected thereto, the associated fender will have an opening large enough to reinsert an (uninflated) inner tube—either the same inner tube or, if the original inner tube is to be replaced, a new one. Because the inner tubes typically are elongated, the end of each inner tube opposite the assembly advantageously may have an end of a cord connected to it, with the other end of the cord capable of being pulled to draw the inner tube the length of the interior of the fender. This permits the shape of the inserted inner tube to match more closely that of the associated fender so as to facilitate inflating the inner tube therein.
It thus is an object of the present invention to provide inflatable inner tubes and associated valve assemblies for objects including boats.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide inflatable boats having enhanced damage-resistance without resort to use of foam or protective coatings or coverings for the fenders.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide alternate valve assemblies for inflatable objects, the assemblies facilitating inflation and deflation of the inner tubes.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide valve assemblies adapted for connection jointly to both an inner tube and a corresponding fender and having a portion detachable from at least the fender to allow withdrawal of the inner tube from within the fender.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art with reference to the remaining text and the drawings of this application.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2639750 (1953-05-01), Phane
patent: 3935607 (1976-02-01), Cantwell et al.
patent: 4919067 (1990-04-01), Wenstob et al.
patent: 5282436 (1994-02-01), Hansen
patent: 5732650 (1998-03-01), Peterson
patent: 5878685 (1999-03-01), Hemphill et al.
patent: 5943978 (1999-08-01), Garnier
Avila Stephen
Kilpatrick & Stockton LLP
Russell Dean W.
Sevylor U.S.A., Inc.
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