Ships – Building – Decks
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-25
2001-05-22
Swinehart, Ed (Department: 3617)
Ships
Building
Decks
C114S061100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06234098
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a rail structure disposed around the peripheral edge of the deck of a pontoon boat. The rail structure, which is usually made from aluminum, is fitted against and over the carpeted deck and secured to the support structure underneath.
Pontoon boat decks are usually manufactured from standard four by eight size plyboard material, arranged such that the deck width is eight feet. Currently, the maximum load width permissible for transportation over U.S. highways without special permits is eight and one half feet In order to provide the widest pontoon boat possible which can be shipped by truck without special permits, it is desirable to widen the deck approximately six inches from that which can be obtained from a standard sized plyboard sheet. Conventionally, to widen the pontoon boat deck beyond its usual eight foot width, specially sized plyboard measuring, for example, four feet by eight feet, six inches, is procured by the boat manufacturer at a substantial premium.
Alternatively, multiple portions of standard sized plyboard sheets may be adjacently placed across the width of the deck on the lateral deck support beams which extend between the pontoons. This method widens the deck relatively inexpensively from a material requirements standpoint, but requires additional fabrication, may result in wasted material and also produces a seam in the deck which extends longitudinally in the fore-aft direction through which water may wet the deck carpeting. Further, although plyboard sheets which are arranged adjacently in the longitudinal (fore-aft) direction result in lateral deck seams, which may comprise tongue and groove joints to which a liquid sealant is applied, these seams are centrally placed upon the uppermost flange of lateral cross members to rigidly support the ends each plyboard sheet and further guard against water splashing onto the joint. A longitudinally extending support beam is normally not available for the longitudinal seam between laterally adjacent pieces of plyboard deck material to lie upon, and thus may compromise the integrity of the deck from water intrusion and/or deck support perspectives. Additionally, a deck having such a longitudinal joint may result in its being weaker than it would otherwise be. A means for inexpensively widening the deck of a pontoon boat from the usual eight foot dimension inexpensively and without compromising its integrity is desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention permits the width of the pontoon deck to be increased by varying the width of the extruded aluminum rail structure which is disposed at the edge of the decks, maintaining the ability to use standard four foot by eight foot sized plyboard sheets. The horizontal portion of the aluminum rail is increased in width such that standard sized plyboard deck material can be used in pontoon boats of varying widths. Thus, the present invention provides additional and variable width to a pontoon boat deck comprised of standard size plyboard material. The extruded aluminum rail structure includes rib members which run along the bottom of the horizontal surface to provide structural integrity. Further, the inventive deck rail trims the edges of the plyboard deck material and underlying cross members, and may be provided with a rub rail.
The inventive rail has a generally angled shape with one leg having a length which varies with desired boat width, the end of which overlies the top surface of the deck near its outside edge, and another leg which depends over the edge of the deck material and serves as deck trim and which may also include a rub rail.
The present invention provides a pontoon boat including a flotation device, a deck, and a pair of side rails. The flotation device includes at least two pontoons and a support frame extending between the pontoons and having a pair of side edges. The deck is disposed atop the support frame and has a top surface and a pair of side edges. Each side rail has a generally angled shape and comprises a generally horizontal leg and a generally vertical leg. A free edge of the horizontal leg overlies a portion of the deck proximal a deck side edge. The vertical leg depends over the support frame side edge. The horizontal leg substantially, horizontally extends the deck.
The present invention also provides a pontoon boat including a flotation device, a deck, and an extension means for substantially extending the width of the boat. The flotation device includes at least two pontoons and a plurality of lateral deck support beams extending between the pontoons. The deck is disposed atop the support beams and has a top surface and a side edge.
The present invention also provides a pontoon boat including at least two pontoons, a deck, and a pair of rails. The deck extends between the pontoons and has a top surface and a side edge. Each rail has a generally angled shape and comprises a generally horizontal leg which substantially extends the width of the deck, and a generally vertical leg. A free edge of the horizontal leg overlies the top surface of the deck proximal the deck side edge.
The present invention provides a pontoon boat including a flotation device, a deck, and a plurality of rails disposed around the perimeter of the deck. The flotation device includes at least two pontoons and a support frame extending between the pontoons. The deck is disposed atop the support frame. The rails include aligned inboard channels. Adjacent rails connect to one another by means of a plate or other member disposed in and attached to the inboard channel at the terminal ends of the two adjoining rails providing for a non-overlapping joint.
The present invention also provides a boat including a flotation device and a plurality of rails disposed around the perimeter of the flotation device. The rails include aligned inboard channels. Adjacent rails connect to one another by means of a plate or other member disposed in and attached to the inboard channel at the terminal end of two adjoining rails providing for a non-overlapping joint.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3065724 (1962-11-01), Tritt
patent: 3630163 (1971-12-01), Williams
patent: 4517911 (1985-05-01), Seefeld
patent: 4562786 (1986-01-01), Pruonto
patent: 4738215 (1988-04-01), McMahon
patent: 4892052 (1990-01-01), Zook et al.
patent: 5085165 (1992-02-01), Reed
patent: 6003458 (1999-12-01), Valliere
patent: 1473018 (1967-03-01), None
Biedenweg Baron R.
Putman David L.
Ruda Jerome
Baker & Daniels
Harris Kayot, Inc.
Swinehart Ed
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