Ships – Boats – boat component – or attachment – Protective cover or shield
Reexamination Certificate
1996-08-27
2001-05-01
Swinehart, Ed (Department: 3617)
Ships
Boats, boat component, or attachment
Protective cover or shield
C114S055500
Reexamination Certificate
active
06223680
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to sun shading and sheltering tops for watercraft, and more particularly to a sun bonnet assembly which is easily installed and broken down when removed for compact stowage.
2. Description of Related Art
The following art defines the present state of this field:
Gaschenko et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,955,228 describes a boat shade comprising of a cover and a frame. The frame being formed of three inverted U-shaped components, one of an inverted U-shaped component of said frame being erected vertically and fastened at its ends to the opposite sides of the boat with the possibility of being pivoted. Two other inverted U-shaped components of the frame, arranged on both sides of the component of said frame. Hinges join said sliders to the ends of the inverted U-shaped components carrying the cover.
Pepper et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,044,298 describes a boat comprising of a deck having a forwardly located helm, a canopy including a rearwardly located permanent cover, spaced apart portions extending forwardly defining an open opening. A second cover does not extend over said opening but when in an extended position it does extend over the opening. A canopy is located above said helm and spaced so as to permit an operator to stand or sit adjacent said helm.
Lewis, U.S. Pat. No. 5,070,807 describes a generally low profile, lightweight canopy assembly for a watercraft which embodies a transom member with a top edge, generally coplanar with peripheral side wall gunwale areas, said craft also having a plurality of interiorly disposed, peripherally spaced attachment means adaptable for attaching various items, a safety grab line, as well as canopy-supporting frame members.
Burns, U.S. Pat. No. 3,734,110 describes structures such as rack, shelters and the like which are adapted to be attached to a vehicle top that are assembles with corner members which are shaped to receive and grip different lengths of pipe. These structures are also provided to the vehicle top whereby the structures are readily attached to the top of a vehicle or to the side thereof.
Hansen, U.S. Pat. No. 4,582,016 describes a frame structure for supporting a flexible material for a marine vehicle convertible roof operative to provide protection for a vehicle occupant area having a predetermined length.
Voldrich, U.S. Pat. No. 5,009,184 describes a canopy for an open boat comprising a frame, the frame consisting of a pair of reversely L-shaped fixed angled tubular supports mounted on either side of the boat said supports having substantially horizontal and substantially vertical portions.
Pinkley, U.S. Pat. No. 3,572,353 describes a convertible top for boats and the like having a deck or support structure surrounding a passenger compartments and preceded by a windshield. Removable side rails extend from the top side edge of the windshield over the passenger seating area, and then downwardly to the deck. A cross bar extends between the rear of the front generally horizontal portion of the side rails.
Carmichael, U.S. Pat. No. 4,683,900 describes a canopy for use an open-topped vehicle such as a boat, tractor, or the like having two spaced-apart, substantially parallel, side rails.
Gibson, U.S. Pat. No. D307,347 describes a design for a fork lift canopy cover.
Stengel, U.S. Pat. No. D259,340 describes a design for and open side top for jeeps.
The prior art teaches various shading devices and top for watercraft and other vehicles. However, the prior art does not teach a shading device for a personal watercraft that provides shading from the sun overhead and also is not an obstruction to a rider being thrown laterally or rearwardly from the watercraft. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further related advantages as described in the following summary.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention teaches certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the objectives described below.
In certain sport watercraft, usually referred to as personal watercraft, a rider and also one or more passengers, sit astride the craft's beam. In sharp turns or in rough waters, one or more persons are frequently thrown from the craft. This is generally not a problem as the clearance around the craft is sufficient such that a person thrown from the craft is not apt to be injured by striking structural members of the watercraft. However, it is desirable to provide a means for shading persons on such watercraft from the sun. The present invention is a shading means for personal watercraft. A primary objective of the present invention is to provide shade from the sun and rain in a personal watercraft without hampering operation of the craft. Another objective is to provide such a shading means that maintains the typical clearance around a personal watercraft so that a person thrown from the craft is not in danger of striking the shading means. A further objective is to provide such a shading means that also is easily broken down into small components for compact storage off the watercraft or stowage on it. A still further objective is to provide such a shading means that is light in weight so that operation and performance of the watercraft are not diminished by its use. A final objective is to provide such a shading means that is structurally sound so as not to be damaged with the normal use of a personal watercraft.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 259340 (1981-05-01), Stengel
patent: D. 307347 (1990-04-01), Gibson
patent: 617571 (1899-01-01), Harlow
patent: 811322 (1906-01-01), Poltock
patent: 2618285 (1952-11-01), Heisig
patent: 2714387 (1955-08-01), Meldrum
patent: 2821204 (1958-01-01), Hartshorn, Sr.
patent: 2974329 (1961-03-01), Welch
patent: 3572353 (1971-03-01), Pinkley
patent: 3734110 (1973-05-01), Burns
patent: 3955228 (1976-05-01), Gaschenko
patent: 4503799 (1985-03-01), Masters
patent: 4582016 (1986-04-01), Hansen
patent: 4683900 (1987-08-01), Carmichael
patent: 5009184 (1991-04-01), Voldrich
patent: 5044298 (1991-09-01), Pepper
patent: 5070807 (1991-12-01), Lewis
patent: 5111765 (1992-05-01), Kobayashi
Frink Sandy J.
Frink Thomas H.
Gene Scott-Patent Law & Venture Group
Swinehart Ed
Waveshade, LLC.
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