Ships – Boats – boat component – or attachment – Seat and foot support
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-15
2001-05-15
Basinger, Sherman (Department: 3617)
Ships
Boats, boat component, or attachment
Seat and foot support
Reexamination Certificate
active
06230648
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to boats, and relates more particularly to a highly versatile motor boat which can be readily converted to different configurations for use as a bass boat, a striper, catfish or bay boat, and a “runabout”, deck or pontoon boat.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Heretofore, small motor boats have been configured for different functional application with little versatility. For example, one form of fishing boat is commonly referred to as a “bass” boat. Bass boats normally have raised front and rear fishing platforms with pedestal-type fishing seats removably mounted on the platforms for bass fishing from the bow as well as the stern of the boats. Boats of this nature commonly include under-platform storage boxes, gas tank and live wells, as well as a side console with a steering system. Emphasis in a bass boat is on maximizing platform space, with little concern for cockpit space or seating capacity.
Another form of common fishing boat is a “bay” or so-called “striper” boat, which is usually provided with increased cockpit space and a center console, allowing the users to walk around the cockpit. Certain versions of the bay boats, often called “flats” boats, have large front and rear decks or platforms, as well as side decks along the sides of the cockpit to allow a fisherman to walk from front to back without having to step down on the cockpit floor.
Contrary to the bass and bay configurations, primarily designed for particular types of fishing, “play” boats take various forms. “Deck” boats and “pontoons” are known for their large seating capacity. So-called “fish and ski” units and “runabouts” have a cockpit with multiple seats to accommodate passengers and with so-called “wraparound windshields” that protect the cockpit area. Regardless of the specific configuration of the “play” boats, the common theme is to maximize passenger seating. While fishing from the conventional “play” boats is possible, it is not particularly convenient.
With these somewhat inconsistent requirements of the various types of small motor boats, it has been necessary to either have a multiplicity of boats for different functional applications, an expensive proposition not economically feasible for much of the boating public, or to settle for a compromise if a specific configuration is used for an alternate purpose.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of the instant invention is to provide a highly versatile motor boat construction readily modified for use as either a bass boat, a bay boat or a play boat in a simple and expeditious manner, without having to compromise functional capability. To this end, the boat is provided with forwardly-facing “group” or bench seating at the rear of a center cockpit with a steering console operable from such seating, and rearwardly-facing group seating at the forward end of the center cockpit. Such a configuration maximizes the seating capacity when the boat is to be used for family entertainment. If desired, the front seat can be folded on itself in a unique manner to provide an expanded front casting platform which can receive a removable pedestal seat when the boat is to be used for bass fishing. As another alternative, for use as a bay boat both seats can be folded down in a unique manner to provide spacious front and rear casting platforms with walk-around side decks surrounding the center cockpit and console.
To complete the functional versatility of the boat of the instant invention, it can provided with a bimini top, a ski tow bar and a ladder when used in its play or cruising version, and live wells as needed, a removable trolling motor mount, rod storage and removable pedestal seats when used either in its bass or bay versions.
A further object is the provision of a boat which can have permanent front and rear decks selectively enlarged by the unique construction of the boat of this invention with storage and live wells as needed for fishing, while portions of the decks may be easily transformed into group seating fore and aft, with an openable bimini top for shade if it is desired to use the boat for cruising with a large number of passengers.
Yet another object of this invention is the provision of a unique mechanism for enabling cushioned seat bottom and seat back elements of collapsible seat assemblies in a convertible motor boat of the type described to be moved from a first operative position in which the seat back is disposed at an angle with relation to its respective seat bottom to form a bench seat, to a second operative position in which the seat back overlies its respective seat bottom with the rear surface of the seat back level with, and forming an extension of; its respective casting platform.
A still further object of this invention is the provision of a rigid member carrying the cushion on each seat back, with side portions of the rigid member extending beyond the cushion, fixed elements underlying the side portions of the rigid member of the seat back when it is pivoted downwardly in overlying relationship to the seat bottom, and latching means to secure the seat back in its collapsed position to thereby support the rigid member with its rear surface stable, immovable and level with its respective casting platform.
Another object of this invention is the provision of unique hinge assemblies each comprising a first fixed member, a second member secured to one side of the rigid seat back element, and a third member pivotally secured at one end to the first member and pivotally secured at an opposite end to the second member, with the spacing between the pivotal connections of the third member to the first and second members, respectively, accommodating the thickness of the cushions on the seat bottom and the seat back when the seat back is folded into overlying relationship with the seat bottom to form an extended part of its respective casting platform.
Other and further objects of this invention will be set forth hereinafter or obvious from the following detailed description.
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Chatlee Boat & Marine—Evinrude, “The World's Most Refined Engines”. (Sell Sheet).
Fisher Boats, “Fish Forever”. (Sell Sheet).
Grubbs Marine—Crestliner. (Sell Sheet).
Skeeter Performance Fishing Boats. (Sell Sheet).
Champion—“The Best by Any Measure”, R & K Marine (Sell Sheet).
Wellcraft 180 Fisherman, Grubbs Marine (Sell Sheet).
Skeeter Performance Fishing Boats (Sell Sheet).
Princecraft (Sell Sheet).
Hurricane Deck Boats (Sell Sheet).
Formula Mercury—MerCruiser (Sell Sheet).
Stingray Powerboats—Mercury (Sell Sheet).
Fisher Pontoon Boats—Luxury For Life (Sell Sheet).
Original Stylish—Suncruiser by Lowe (Sell Sheet).
Davidson Andrew M.
Davidson Samuel L.
Basinger Sherman
Duracraft Marine Corporation
Jacobson Price Holman & Stern PLLC
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