Ships – Boats – boat component – or attachment
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-01
2001-06-12
Basinger, Sherman (Department: 3617)
Ships
Boats, boat component, or attachment
C114S20100A, C114S364000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06244205
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to the field of boat platforms and in particular to storable bow platforms for use with a fishing boat.
2. Description of the Prior Art
There are types of fishing where it is most advantageous for a fisherman to stand on a raised platform on a boat. The added height gives a fisherman the ability to actually see the fish in the water for longer distances. Flats fishing for bonefish is one such example. However, bonefishing is not a sport where a cast is made in the hopes that a fish is present in the general location of the cast. The fisherman needs to see bonefish in the water in order to make a cast at the exact location of the fish.
When fishing for bonefish, a specially rigged boat is used. They are generally called flats boats. They consist of a sixteen to twenty foot boat which is able to float in shallow water having a depth of approximately two to four feet. A platform is permanently mounted at the boat's stern directly above the boat's motor. The stern platform is used by the captain to “hunt” for bonefish and from which he propels the boat by a long poling rod. The fisherman is located at the boat's bow. Upon seeing a bonefish, the captain directs the fisherman where to cast; however, the ability of the fisherman to actually see the bonefish greatly enhances his ability to catch the fish. As previously stated, a raised platform provides this advantage.
There exist bow platforms in the prior art which comprise integrally assembled components i.e. the legs form part of a welded frame to which a platform is welded. Certainly such platforms perform their function quite adequately; however, they are not without problems. One problem is the inability to store the platform on the boat when the platform is not being used. There simply is no storage space on a flats boat or other small boats which can accommodate a prior art platform. Typically therefore, the prior art platform is left in place on the bow of the boat. This presents a problem of interference. It forms an obstacle which always seems to be in the way of the fisherman when he is not bonefishing. It forms an obstacle when dropping an anchor. It forms an obstacle when using the boat for other types of fishing where a platform has no advantage. It forms an obstacle when attempting to access the boat's bow hatch. Since there are so many instances where a bow platform is disadvantages to a boater and fisherman, the fisherman more often than not, disposes with the use of a platform and simply leaves it off the boat. This, of course, leaves the fisherman without the advantages of a bow platform. The present invention is intended to overcome the disadvantages of the bow platform of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a bow platform which eliminates most of the disadvantages of an integrally made platform. The present invention comprises a bow platform whereby the legs are mounted to the platform but can be quickly and easily removed from the platform. The legs are stored on the underside of the platform resulting in an assembly that is essentially flat and easily storable in a hatch on the boat. The unique construction of the inventive bow platform provides for an extremely sturdy platform having little or no side to side or front to back movement when in use. In another embodiment of the present invention, the bow hatch cover is removable and to which legs are attachable to form the bow platform. After use, the legs are removed, stored under the cover and the cover is reattached to the bow hatch. This embodiment eliminates all storage problems.
The above-stated objects as well as other objects which, although not specifically stated, but are intended to be included within the scope the present invention, are accomplished by the present invention and will become apparent from the hereinafter set forth Detailed Description of the Invention, Drawings, and the claims appended herewith.
In accordance with the above, there has been summarized the more important features of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention as it appears in the below detailed description of the same, may be better understood.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3724595 (1973-04-01), Green
patent: 4229858 (1980-10-01), Baxter et al.
patent: 4489028 (1984-12-01), Masters
patent: 4811680 (1989-03-01), Genth
patent: 5860367 (1999-01-01), Riegel et al.
patent: 6016756 (2000-01-01), McMahon et al.
Basinger Sherman
Saccocio R. M.
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