Supports – Brackets – Adjustable
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-27
2002-06-18
Braun, Leslie A. (Department: 3632)
Supports
Brackets
Adjustable
Reexamination Certificate
active
06405985
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to an adjustable platform mountable on a surface such as a boat hull for providing a mounting surface adjustable to a substantially horizontal orientation irrespective of the orientation of the surface on which the platform is mounted.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Controlled depth fishing is a method used by sport fishermen when trolling or still fishing to place a lure or bait at a fixed depth beneath the water surface where fish are expected to be found. The particular depth will vary with such factors as the type of fish, the season of the year, weather conditions, water temperature and tidal conditions, as well as other factors.
Controlled depth fishing is practiced with a downrigger
10
, seen in FIG.
1
and in detail in FIG.
2
. The downrigger typically comprises a housing
12
mounting a reel
14
. A boom
16
extends from the housing and has a pulley
18
mounted at its tip. A cable
20
extends from the reel to the pulley and is attached to a weight
22
. The weight can vary from 2 to 20 lbs depending on the depth at which the fisherman wishes to troll. A fishing rod holder
24
is typically attached to housing
12
for holding the rod adjacent to downrigger
10
. A mounting base
26
is attached to housing
12
and allows the downrigger to be mounted onto a platform, as described below.
As shown in
FIG. 1
, the downrigger
10
is mounted onto a platform
28
near the gunwale
30
of a fishing boat
32
. Typical prior art platforms presently in use are shown in
FIG. 3
a
at
34
a
and in
FIG. 3
b
at
34
b.
In operation, the fishing line from the rod (not shown) is baited with a lure or bait, and the line is releasably attached to weight
22
via a release mechanism (not shown). Weight
22
is then lowered on cable
20
into the water to the desired depth, the handle of the fishing rod is placed in holder
24
, and when trolling, the boat tows the weight through the water, the weight holding the lure at the desired depth. When a fish strikes the lure, the release mechanism releases the fishing line, and the fisherman removes the rod from holder
24
to fight the fish with rod and reel.
As seen in
FIGS. 3
a
, and
3
b
, the platforms
34
a
and
34
b
currently used to mount the downrigger are relatively crude and not easily adaptable to various types of boat hulls, especially with regard to the hull surface angle relative to the boat deck. It is desirable to maintain the mounting base
26
of the downrigger in a substantially horizontal orientation, for example parallel to the boat deck. If the sides of the hull are angled relative to the deck, for example, in a Vee hulled boat, then the prior art platforms shown will not properly support the downrigger base substantially horizontally.
Furthermore, when trolling or fishing in fast running water, relatively large forces are generated putting considerable stress on the boat hull where the platform is attached. If the forces are not properly distributed to the hull, damage can result. This is especially true for small aluminum boats in the 12 to 14 foot range whose hulls are not particularly strong or rigid and, thus, do not inherently provide an adequate mounting point for the prior art platforms. Moreover, the prior art platforms themselves tend to be relatively weak and undesirably flexible, and when such platforms are mounted onto a flimsy boat hull, failure of the entire mounting could occur which would lead to the loss of valuable equipment (rod, reel and downrigger).
Lastly, it is preferable to mount downriggers within the hull so that the downrigger, when rotatably mounted to the platform, can be positioned so that the boom does not extend beyond the hull. This is useful when underway and important for maneuvering the boat near obstacles or docking, as a downrigger extending from the boat may snag on an obstacle, damage other boats or be damaged by contact with a dock or pier.
Clearly, there is a need for a downrigger mounting platform which can be securely mounted to a boat hull and infinitely adjusted to compensate for the relative angle of the hull sides to provide a mounting surface which is substantially horizontal irrespective of the angle of the hull sides. The platform should, furthermore, be strong, relatively rigid and should stiffen the hull and distribute the forces evenly to it. The platform should also enable the downrigger to be positioned entirely within the hull to afford maximum maneuverability to the boat. Lastly, the platform should be easily adaptable to support other equipment, such as fish finders, depth finders or radio equipment and also afford ready access to the equipment mounted thereon.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF INVENTION
The universal platform according to the invention is an infinitely adjustable platform which provides a mounting surface adjustable to a substantially horizontal orientation irrespective of the orientation of the surface on which the platform is mounted.
The platform comprises a first plate and a second plate pivotally attached to the first plate. The second plate is rotatable about a first axis mutually parallel to the respective planes of both the first and second plates. Matched lugs extending from the first and second plates rotatably joined by pivot pins provide a convenient means for pivotally attaching the plates.
An elongated support arm is connected between the first and second plates forming a diagonal brace. The first end of the support arm is pivotally attached to the first plate at a first position spaced away from the first axis, the first end being rotatable about a second axis oriented parallel to the first axis. The second end of the support arm is pivotally attached to the second plate at a second position spaced away from the first axis, the second end being rotatable about a third axis also oriented parallel to the first axis.
The support arm has means for adjusting its length arranged between the first and second ends, as well as means for fixing the length of the support arm once the desired length is established.
The first plate is fixedly mountable to a surface such as a boat hull. The first plate is preferably attached to the surface by means of through bolts which engage both the hull and the back plate, although rivets, nails or other fasteners are also useable under appropriate circumstances. The first plate could also be welded or adhesively bonded to the surface.
The second plate is angularly adjustable about the first axis to a substantially horizontal position. The second plate, thus, provides the horizontal mounting surface for a downrigger or other equipment when it is arranged at a predetermined angle relative to the first plate.
In the preferred embodiment, the support arm comprises a first elongated shaft extending from the first end of the arm toward the second end and a second elongated shaft extending from the second end of the arm toward the first end. The shafts engage the means for adjusting the length of the support arm, which comprises a clamping block having first and second side portions arranged opposite each other. The first and second shafts are sandwiched between said first and second side portions of the clamping block. Means for fixing the length of the support arm comprise at least one fastener extending between the first and second side portions for attaching the side portions together and thereby clamping the first and second shafts fixedly therebetween.
The first and second side portions each have a matching through hole aligned substantially perpendicularly to the first and second shafts for accepting the fastener, which comprises a bolt or cap screw and locking nut. The bolt is sized to interengage the through holes in the side portions and bolt the side portions together thereby clamping said first and second shafts therebetween. Preferably the first and second shafts are arranged between the side portions of the clamping block in a parallel, spaced apart relationship. At least one of the first and second shafts has a serrated surface engaging the side portions. The
Braun Leslie A.
Synnestvedt & Lechner LLP
Wujciak A. Joseph
LandOfFree
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