SYSTEM AND CONVERSION KIT FOR A BOAT TOWABLE FLOATING MAT

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a kit for attachment to a foam floatation mat for towing of the mat behind a motorboat. The kit includes binding plates for mounting to the flotation mat, the binding plates located proximate the first laterally extending edge and the also further away from the first laterally extending edge. The first binding plate secured to the mat is folded over atop another binding plate at which time fastening hardware is received into the aligned plurality of through holes joining together all the binding plates. Tow ropes are passed through an aligned plurality of tow rope holes such that two tow ropes are secured to the binding plates by at least one of a tow rope knot or fastening hardware.

Claims

1. A kit for attachment to a foam floatation mat for towing of the mat behind a motorboat, the kit comprising: a first and second binding plate for mounting to the flotation mat proximate the first laterally extending edge, the first and second binding plates comprising; (i) a length less than the span of the first laterally extending edge of the mat; (ii) a plurality of aligned through holes, the plurality of through holes comprising at least two tow rope through holes; (iii) the first binding plate disposed against a top face of the mat; (iv) the second binding plate disposed beneath the first binding plate and against a bottom face of the mat; and (v) a plurality of fasteners received into the plurality of aligned through holes securing the first and second binding plates to one another and to the mat; a third and fourth binding plate for mounting to the flotation mat, the third and fourth binding plates disposed a distance further away from the first laterally extending edge than the first and second binding plates, the third and fourth binding plates comprising; (i) a length equivalent to the first and second binding plates; (ii) a plurality of aligned through holes, the plurality of holes configured for alignment with the plurality of holes in the first and second binding plates; (iii) the third binding plate disposed against the top face of the mat; (iv) the fourth binding plate disposed beneath the third binding plate and against the bottom face of the mat; and (v) a plurality of fasteners received into the plurality of aligned holes securing the third and fourth binding plates to the mat; wherein, the first binding plate secured to the mat is folded over atop the third binding plate at which time fastening hardware is received into the aligned plurality of through holes joining together all four of the binding plates.

2. The kit of claim 1, wherein the binding plates are fabricated from HDPE.

3. The kit of claim 1, wherein the fastening hardware comprises a separate eye bolt passing through each of the at least two tow rope holes.

4. The kit of claim 3, wherein an eye of each eye bolt is disposed proximate the fourth binding plate.

5. The kit of claim 1, wherein a separate tow rope passes sequentially through two of the aligned holes of the fourth, third, first and second binding plates before a knot is tied in the tow rope holes preventing extraction of the knot through the aligned holes in the four binding plates.

6. The kit of claim 1, wherein the first and second binding plates are disposed in the range of about 2 to 4 inches away from the first laterally extending edge.

7. The kit of claim 1, wherein the third and fourth binding plates are disposed in the range of about 40 to 44 inches away from the first laterally extending edge.

8. A kit for attachment to a foam flotation mat for towing of the mat behind a motorboat; the kit comprising: a first and second binding plate for mounting to the mat proximate the first laterally extending edge, the first and second binding plates comprising; (i) a length less than the span of the first laterally extending edge; (ii) a plurality of aligned through holes, the plurality of through holes comprising at least two tow rope holes; (iii) the first binding plate disposed against a top face of the mat; (iv) the second binding plate disposed beneath the first binding plate and against a bottom face of the mat; and (v) at least two fasteners received into the plurality of aligned holes securing the first and second binding plates to the mat and to one another; a third and fourth binding plate for mounting to the flotation mat, the third and fourth binding plates disposed a distance further away from the first laterally extending edge than the first and second binding plates, the third and fourth binding plates comprising; (i) a length less than the span of the first laterally extending edge; (ii) a plurality of aligned through holes, the plurality of through holes comprising at least two tow rope holes, the plurality of holes configured for alignment with the plurality of through holes in the first and second binding plates; (iii) the third binding plate disposed against the top face of the mat; (iv) the fourth binding plate disposed directly beneath the third binding plate and against the bottom face of the mat; and (v) at least two fasteners received into the plurality of aligned holes securing the third and fourth binding plates to the mat and to one another; wherein, the first binding plate and mat are folded over atop the third binding plate wherein separate tow ropes are received into the two tow rope holes with each tow rope passing sequentially through the tow rope holes of the fourth, third, first and second binding plates before a knot is tied at an end of each tow rope preventing extraction of the knot through the aligned holes in the four binding plates.

9. The kit of claim 8, wherein the foam mat comprises a second laterally extending edge opposite the first laterally extending edge as well as first and second longitudinally extending edges.

10. The kit of claim 8, wherein each tow rope knot is greater in diameter than the tow rope through hole.

11. A system for attachment to a foam flotation mat for towing of the mat behind a motorboat; the system comprising: a first and second binding plate for mounting to the mat proximate the first laterally extending edge, the first and second binding plates comprising; (i) a length less than the span of the first laterally extending edge; (ii) a plurality of aligned through holes, the plurality of through holes comprising at least two tow rope holes; (iii) the first binding plate disposed against the top face of the mat; (iv) the second binding plate disposed beneath the first binding plate and against the bottom face of the mat; and (v) at least two fasteners received into the plurality of aligned holes securing the first and second binding plates to the mat and to one another; a third and fourth binding plate for mounting to the flotation mat, the third and fourth binding plates disposed a distance further away from the first laterally extending edge than the first and second binding plates, the third and fourth binding plates comprising; (i) a length less than the span of the first laterally extending edge; (ii) a plurality of aligned through holes, the plurality of through holes comprising at least two tow rope holes, the plurality of holes configured for alignment with the plurality of through holes in the first and second binding plates; (iii) the third binding plate disposed against a top face of the mat; (iv) the fourth binding plate disposed directly beneath the third binding plate and against a bottom face of the mat; and (v) at least two fasteners received into the plurality of aligned holes securing the third and fourth binding plates to the mat and to one another, wherein the first binding plate and mat are folded over atop the third binding plate wherein fastening hardware is received into the aligned plurality of tow rope holes such that two tow ropes are secured to the four binding plates at the two aligned sets of tow rope holes by at least one of a tow rope knot or fastening hardware.

12. A system for attachment to a foam flotation mat for towing of the mat behind a motorboat; the system comprising: first and second opposed laterally extending edges of the foam flotation mat; a first binding plate disposed within a cutout in the foam flotation mat proximate the first laterally extending edge, the first binding plate further comprising at least two through holes therein; a second binding plate disposed within a cutout in the foam flotation mat a distance further away from the first laterally extending edge than the first binding plate, the second binding plate further comprising at least two through holes therein, wherein the first laterally extending edge is folded over such that a top surface of the first binding plate is disposed directly over a top surface of the second binding plate thereby aligning the through holes in the first and second binding plates; and a rigid fastener received into the at least two aligned through holes of the first and second binding plate securing the two binding plates into position, wherein a first end of a tow rope is fastened to each rigid fastener and a second end of the tow rope is fastened to the motorboat.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the first and second binding plates are fabricated from a rigid, corrosion resistant material.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein a top surface and a lower surface of the first and second binding plates are overlain with a cover layer that is similar in appearance to a cover layer of the flotation mat.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the upper and lower cover layers of the first and second binding plates are secured to the binding plates and the cover layers with at least one of adhesive, tape, or stitching.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the rigid fastener is an eyebolt with an eye of the eyebolt extending downwardly into the water with the tow rope secured to the eye of the eyebolt.

17. A system for attachment to a foam flotation mat for towing of the mat behind a motorboat; the system comprising: first and second laterally extending edges of the foam flotation mat; a first binding plate disposed within a cutout in the foam flotation mat proximate the first laterally extending edge, the first binding plate further comprising at least two through holes therein; and a second binding plate disposed within a cutout in the foam flotation mat a distance further away from the first laterally extending edge than the first binding plate, the second binding plate further comprising at least two through holes therein, wherein the first laterally extending edge of the mat is folded over such that a top surface of the first binding plate is disposed directly over a top surface of the second binding plate thereby aligning the through holes in the first and second binding plates, wherein a first end of a tow rope is passed through the aligned through holes and knotted such that the knot exceeds the diameter of the aligned through holes and the second end of the tow rope is secured to the motor boat.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the top and bottom surfaces of the first and second binding plates are overlain with a cover layer that is essentially identical in color and texture to a cover layer of the flotation mat and the cover layers further comprise through holes aligned with the through holes of the binding plates.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein a first end of the tow rope is routed through the through holes of the upper and lower surface cover layers as well as the binding plates wherein a knot is tied into the first end above the first binding plate with the tow rope extending downwardly into the water with the second end secured to the motorboat.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the first and second binding plates are held in position within their respective cutouts with at least one of glue, tape, and stitching.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a flotation mat with an installed conversion kit under tow behind a motor boat;

[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded assembly view of the binding plates and attachment hardware of the kit in preparation for mounting to a towable floating mat;

[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the floating mat disposed between the first and second binding plates and associated hardware for securing the binding plates to the floating mat;

[0016] FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view an embodiment of a first and second binding plate secured to a third and fourth binding plate with the flotation mat secured therebetween as well as a tow rope received into a tow rope hole;

[0017] FIG. 4B illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a first and second binding plate secured to a third and fourth binding plate with the flotation mat secured therebetween as well as attachment hardware received into a tow rope hole;

[0018] FIG. 5A illustrates a right-side elevation view of an embodiment of the system and kit installed onto a flotation mat;

[0019] FIG. 5B illustrates a left-side elevation view of an embodiment of the system and kit installed on a flotation mat; and

[0020] FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the flotation mat system;

[0021] FIG. 7 illustrates the alternative embodiment in a folded over configuration ready for deployment onto the water;

[0022] FIG. 8 illustrates a side elevation view of the alternative embodiment with hardware for mounting tow ropes thereto;

[0023] FIG. 9 illustrates a mid-line cross section view of FIG. 8; and

[0024] FIG. 10 illustrates a mid-line cross section view of the alternative embodiment with a knotted tow rope replacing the hardware for mounting tow ropes thereto of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Foam flotation mats, as best illustrated at FIG. 1, also known as air foam flotation billets, are a cost-effective buoyancy material providing superior performance for virtually any commercial or residential flotation application. Fabricated from expanded polystyrene (EPS) and 98% air, they are extremely lightweight and buoyant. The foam flotation mats can be pulled behind a motorboat with people positioned atop the mat, thereby providing a recreational ride. The challenge with the flotation mats is how to conveniently configure the mats with appropriate hardware so that a tow rope can be secured to the mat for purposes of safely pulling the mat through the water.

[0026] Disclosed herein as illustrated at FIGS. 1 and 2 is a kit 10 for conversion of a foam floatation mat 12 with first and second laterally extending edges 14, 16 and a top and bottom face 18, 20 to a configuration for towing behind a motorboat 22. The kit 10 includes first and second binding plates 30, 32 for mounting to the flotation mat 12 proximate the first laterally extending edge 14.

[0027] The first and second binding plates 30, 32 are preferably fabricated from high density polyethylene (HDPE) or another rigid material capable of withstanding the forces applied to a tow rope by a motorboat with a high output engine. The first and second binding plates 30, 32 preferably do not extend fully across the entire lateral span 14, 16 of the mat 12 but do occupy a span of at least about 70% of the lateral span with the ends 34A, 34B of the binding plates 30, 32 disposed roughly equidistant from the two longitudinally extending edges 36, 38. The first binding plate 30 is positioned parallel to and in the range of about 2-4 inches inwardly away from the first laterally extending edge 14. In a preferred embodiment the first binding plate 30 is positioned about 2 inches from the first laterally extending edge 14.

[0028] The first and second binding plates 30, 32 include a plurality of aligned through holes 42. The plurality of through holes 42 include at least two tow rope holes 44, 45. In the preferred embodiment the first binding plate 30 is disposed against the top face 18 of the mat 12. The second binding plate 32 is preferably disposed directly beneath the first binding plate 30 and against the bottom face 20 of the mat 12. As illustrated at FIG. 3, a plurality of fasteners 52 is then received into the plurality of aligned through holes 42 securing the first and second binding plates 30, 32 to one another, and to the mat 12, at the distance from the first laterally extending edge 14 as previously detailed.

[0029] As illustrated at FIG. 2, a third and fourth binding plate 60, 62 are also employed for mounting to the flotation mat 12. The third and fourth binding plates are disposed a distance further away from the first laterally extending edge 14 than the first and second binding plates 30, 32. The third and fourth binding plates 60, 62 are disposed in the range of about 40-44 inches from the first laterally extending edge and preferably at about 42 inches. The third and fourth binding plates 60, 62 are preferably a length equivalent to the first and second binding plates 30, 32. The third and fourth binding plates 60, 62 also include a plurality of aligned through holes 66. The plurality of aligned through holes 66 include at least two tow rope holes 70, 72. The plurality of through holes 66 are configured for alignment with the plurality of holes 42 in the first and second binding plates 30, 32.

[0030] The third binding plate 60 is preferably disposed against the top face 18 of the mat 12 while the fourth binding plate 62 is preferably disposed directly beneath the third binding plate 60 and against the bottom face 20 of the mat 12. With the third and fourth binding plates 60, 62 a plurality of fasteners 80 are received into the plurality of aligned holes 66 and secure the third and fourth binding plates 60, 62 to one another and to the mat 12.

[0031] As best illustrated at FIG. 4A, the mat 12 is folded over onto itself and the first binding plate 30 is positioned atop the third binding plate 60 and is disposed under the mat 12. In a first embodiment, a tow rope 84 is secured to the four binding plates 30, 32, 60, 62 at the at least two tow rope holes 44, 45, 70, 72 in each pair of binding plates by at least one of a knot 88 or fastening hardware 90. The first embodiment requires tying a knot 88 of sufficient size in the two tow ropes 84, 86, as best illustrated at FIGS. 1 and 4A. The knots 88 must be of sufficient size that cannot be pulled through the two sets of rope holes 44, 45, 70, 72 in the binding plates 30, 32, 60, 62 even when a heavy load supplied by the engine(s) of the motorboat pull the mat through the water with passengers residing on the top face 18 of the mat 12. The knots 88 must be placed above the second binding plate 32 tow rope holes 44, 45 so that the rope extends downwardly passing through, in sequence, the second, first, third and fourth binding plates 32, 30, 60, 62.

[0032] As an alternative to using knots 88, a second embodiment requires hardware 90 consisting of an eyebolt 92 that is used for securing the tow ropes 84, 86. The eye 94 of the eyebolt 92 must be positioned extending downward into the water. As best illustrated at FIG. 4B, the eye 94 of the eyebolt 92 extends downwardly from the fourth binding plate 62. A knot 96 is then tied around the eye 94 of the eyebolt 92. A fastening cap 98 is threaded onto the stem 99 of the eyebolt 92. The fastening cap 98 prevents injury to passengers on the mat 12 should they fall upon the stem 99 of the eyebolt 92. The rationale for this placing the eye 94 of the eyebolt 92 facing downward is that as a tension load is applied to the tow ropes 84, 86 by the motorboat, the eye 94 of each eyebolt 92 is lifted upward causing the tow ropes to lift the folded portion 100 of the mat 12, as best illustrated at FIGS. 5A and 5B, out of the water.

[0033] Since the eye 94 of the eyebolt 92 is elevated out of the water by the ropes 84, 86 connected to the boat 22, this facilitates lifting of the folded portion 100 onto the surface of the water. It is important to the operation of the towed floating mat that the folded portion 100 of the mat 12 not be allowed to submarine under the surface as this would result in the mat being pulled subsurface and potentially washing the mat riders from the top face 18 of the mat 12. Placing the knots 88 and the eyebolts 92 beneath the fourth plate 62 provides the needed uplift to the folded over portion 100 thereby causing the mat to effectively plane over the surface of the water when pulled by the motorboat.

[0034] A second embodiment of the disclosed system, as illustrated at FIG. 6 requires embedding a first plate 110 proximate the first laterally extending edge 112 of the mat 12 within a cutout 116 in the foam mat 12. The first plate 110 has at least two holes 120 therein for receiving separate tow ropes 122 (as illustrated at FIG. 8). In a preferred embodiment the first plate 110 is covered by the material forming the outermost protective cover layers 126, 126A of the foam mat 12 on both the top and bottom faces 130, 132 of the foam flotation mat 12.

[0035] The cutout 116 created by the extracted foam is filled with the first plate 110. The cover layers 126, 126A preferably remain in place on both the top and bottom faces 130, 132 in the fully fabricated flotation mat 12. Reinstalling the cover layers 126, 126A over the first plate 110 improves the overall aesthetics of the mat 12 by providing a uniform appearance across the entire flotation mat 12. Additionally, glue or reinforcing tape 127, preferably double-sided tape, is used to secure the plate 110 within the cutout space 116 and to secure the cover layers 126, 126A to the first plate 110. The cover layers 126, 126A preferably include two small through holes 138, 138A to accommodate the receipt of the tow ropes 122.

[0036] As further illustrated at FIG. 6, the second embodiment also includes a second binding plate 140 that is positioned a distance further away from the first laterally extending edge 112 than is the first binding plate 110. This distance away from the first laterally extending edge is in the range of 40-44 inches with a preferred distance of about 42 inches. As with the first plate 110, the second plate 140 is disposed within a cutout 142 of the mat 12 and is overlain with cover layers 129, 129A on both the top and bottom faces 130, 132 of the mat 12. As with the first plate 110, the second plate 140 and cover layers 129, 129A are preferably held in position with glue or double-sided tape 127A, however, other means of attachment such as stitching with high tensile strength threads is also contemplated by this disclosure.

[0037] The upper and lower cover layers 129, 129A preferably include through holes 148, 148A into which the tow ropes 122 or mounting hardware is received and ultimately passed through openings 152 in the second plate 140. The first and second plates 110, 140 are also preferably of a length less than the span of the first laterally extending edge 112 and are fabricated from durable, corrosion resistant materials such as aluminum, engineering plastics or composites.

[0038] In an operational configuration, as illustrated at FIGS. 7 and 8, the first laterally extending edge 112 is folded over and disposed atop the top face 130 of the flotation mat 12 such that in a first mode, threaded fasteners 153 may be passed through the openings 138A, 138, 148, 148A in the cover layers 126A, 126, 129, 129A and into the openings 120, 152 in the first and second plates 110, 140 respectively. The threaded fasteners 153 will hold the folded over first laterally extending edge 112 in position creating an arcuate shaped front portion 160 of the flotation mat 12.

[0039] As illustrated at FIG. 9, the threaded fasteners 153 are preferably eyebolts 162 with the eye 164 of the eyebolt extending downwardly into the water when in operation. The tow ropes 122 are preferably tied to the eye 164 of the eyebolts 162. Positioning the eye 164 of the eyebolt downward into the water facilitates raising of the arcuate shaped front portion 160 out of the water when tension is applied to the tow rope 122 by the motorboat. This arrangement prevents submarining of the arcuate shaped front portion 160 and washing off the individuals riding on the top face 130 of the mat. The upper end of the eyebolt 162 is preferably covered with a cap 170 to prevent injury should a rider inadvertently impact the upper end of the fastener 153 and the nut 172 during transit of the mat 12 by a motorboat.

[0040] In a second mode of operation, as illustrated at FIGS. 6 and 10, an end 180 of a tow rope 122 is passed through the opening 148A in the lower cover layer 129A, through the opening 152 in the second plate 140, through the opening 148 in the upper cover layer 129, through the opening 138 in the upper cover layer 126, through an opening 120 in the first plate 110 and finally through an opening 138A in the lower cover layer 126A. Once the end 180 of the tow rope 122 is passed beyond the upper cover layer 129 it is tied into a knot 182 that is of such a size that it cannot pass through the openings 120, 152 in the first and second plates 110, 140. Since two tow ropes 122 are used for towing of the flotation mat 12, the process is repeated for the second side of the mat 12, resulting in a knot 182 proximate each end of the first and second binding plates 110, 140.

[0041] The disclosed system and kit should not be construed as limiting in any way. Instead, the present disclosure is directed toward all novel and nonobvious features and aspects of the various disclosed embodiments, alone and in various combinations and sub-combinations with one another. The disclosed kit and system are not limited to any specific aspect or feature or combination thereof, nor do the disclosed embodiments require that any one or more specific advantages be present, or problems be solved.

[0042] In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of the disclosed invention may be applied, it should be recognized that the illustrated embodiments are only examples of the disclosure and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is defined by the following claims. We therefore claim as our invention all that comes within the scope of these claims.

[0043] The disclosure presented herein is believed to encompass at least one distinct invention with independent utility. While the at least one invention has been disclosed in exemplary forms, the specific embodiments thereof as described and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense, as numerous variations are possible. Equivalent changes, modifications, and variations of the variety of embodiments, materials, compositions, and methods may be made within the scope of the present disclosure, achieving substantially similar results. The subject matter of the at least one invention includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and sub-combinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein and their equivalents.

[0044] Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described herein regarding specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or combination of elements that may cause any benefits, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be considered as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims of at least one invention.

[0045] Many changes and modifications within the scope of the instant disclosure may be made without departing from the spirit thereof, and the one or more inventions described herein include all such modifications. Corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all elements in the claims are intended to include any structure, material, or acts for performing the functions in combination with other claim elements as specifically recited. The scope of the one or more inventions should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples set forth herein.

[0046] Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described herein regarding specific embodiments. Furthermore, the connecting lines, if any, shown in the various figures contained herein are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may be present in a practical system. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of the inventions.

[0047] The scope of the inventions is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” Moreover, where a phrase similar to “at least one of A, B, or C” is used in the claims, it is intended that the phrase be interpreted to mean that A alone may be present in an embodiment, B alone may be present in an embodiment, C alone may be present in an embodiment, or that any combination of the elements A, B and C may be present in a single embodiment; for example, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C. Different cross-hatching may be used throughout the figures to denote different parts but not necessarily to denote the same or different materials.

[0048] In the detailed description herein, references to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a feature, structure, or characteristic is described relating to an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic relating to other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. After reading the description, it will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement the disclosure in alternative embodiments.

[0049] Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.” As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0050] The invention has been described above with reference to one or more preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that various changes or modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.