MARINE VESSEL MAINTENANCE APPARATUS AND METHOD

Abstract

An apparatus includes a buoyant frame that surrounds a space, and a net mounted to the buoyant frame such that the net extends across the space. The frame includes a plurality of linear segments, each including a respective structural member, foam, and a shell that covers the structural member and the foam. The apparatus may be placed on the surface of water adjacent to a boat to catch tools, replacement parts, etc. that may be dropped during boat repair or maintenance, thereby saving expensive tools and parts from being lost or damaged.

Claims

1. A method comprising: possessing an apparatus having a buoyant frame that surrounds a space and a net mounted to the buoyant frame such that the net extends across the space; placing the apparatus on the surface of a body of water adjacent a boat and such that the net is generally horizontal and covers a portion of the surface of the body of water; and performing maintenance on the boat with tools or parts above the net.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the frame includes a plurality of linear segments; wherein each linear segment includes a respective rigid structural member, foam, and a shell that covers the structural member and the foam.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the rigid structural members are aluminum.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein at least two of the linear segments includes a respective rail defining a groove; and wherein the apparatus includes a shelf that extends into the grooves and across the space.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising placing tools or parts on the shelf.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the apparatus includes at least one magnet mounted to the shelf or one of the segments.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising a tray magnetically attached to the magnet.

8. An apparatus comprising: a buoyant frame that surrounds a space; a net mounted to the buoyant frame such that the net extends across the space; wherein the frame includes a plurality of linear segments; wherein each linear segment includes a respective rigid structural member, foam, and a shell that covers the structural member and the foam; wherein at least two of the linear segments includes a respective rail defining a groove; and wherein the apparatus includes a shelf that extends into the grooves and across the space.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the length and width of the net do not exceed six feet; and wherein the net defines a plurality of holes, each of the holes being no larger than ? inches in any dimension.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the segments are selectively pivotable relative to the other segments such that the apparatus is collapsible.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic, perspective view of an apparatus having a net in accordance with the claimed invention;

[0009] FIG. 2A is another schematic, perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0010] FIG. 2B is a detailed top view of a portion of the net;

[0011] FIG. 3 is a schematic, perspective view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0012] FIG. 4 is a schematic, cross-sectional view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG. 5 is a schematic, perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in a partially folded configuration;

[0014] FIG. 6 is a schematic, side view of the apparatus adjacent to the hull of a boat; and

[0015] FIG. 7 is a schematic, top view of the apparatus adjacent to the transom of a boat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Referring to the Figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to like components throughout, an apparatus 10 for use with watercraft is schematically depicted. The apparatus 10 in the embodiment depicted includes a rectangular frame 14. The frame 14 includes four linear segments 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D. Segments 18A and 18B are spaced apart from each other and parallel to one another. Segments 18C and 18D are spaced apart from each other and parallel to one another. Segments 18C and 18D are perpendicular to segments 18A and 18B. Segments 18C and 18D are attached to, and interconnect, segments 18A and 18B.

[0017] The segments 18A-18D are coplanar and cooperate to define and enclose a rectangular space 22 therebetween. More specifically, each segment 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D has a respective surface 26A, 26B, 26C, 26D that faces the space 22 and thereby defines the periphery of the space 22.

[0018] The frame 14 is configured to exhibit buoyancy in water sufficient to maintain the frame 14 at the surface of any body of water in which it is placed. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of segment 18A. It should be noted that the cross-section of segment 18A shown in FIG. 4 is representative of substantially any cross-section taken along the length of segment 18A. Furthermore, segment 18A as shown in FIG. 4 is representative of all segments 18A-18D along all or substantially all their respective lengths.

[0019] Referring specifically to FIG. 4, each frame segment 18A-D includes a respective substantially rigid structural member 30 that extends the length of the segment. In the embodiment depicted, the structural members 30 are marine grade high density polyethylene (HDPE), closed cell boards having a thickness of one half inch, such as the material available from King Plastic Corporation know as Starlite?. However, it should be noted that other materials may be used as rigid structural members within the scope of the claimed invention. For example, in one embodiment, the structural members 30 are anodized aluminum, which may have a significantly smaller thickness than a polymeric structural member.

[0020] The segment 18A also includes foam 34 above and below the structural member 30 to increase the buoyancy of the segment. In the embodiment depicted, the foam 34 is polyethylene foam, and includes a half-inch thick member 38A directly above the structural member 30 and a half-inch thick member 38B directly below the structural member 30. The foam 34 also includes a member 42A that is one inch thick directly above member 38A, and a member 42B that is one inch thick directly below member 38B.

[0021] Segment 18A also includes a shell 46, which surrounds the foam 34 and the structural member 30. The shell 46 is preferably waterproof to prevent the foam 34 from getting wet and becoming waterlogged. The shell 34 in the embodiment depicted is at least 1000 denier marine grade polyester fabric, coated, with UV, tear, and abrasion resistance.

[0022] The segment 18A also includes a rail 54 mounted to the structural member 30, such as via at least one threaded fastener (shown schematically in phantom at 58). More specifically, the rail 54 has a generally C-shaped cross-section. A base portion 62 of the rail 54 abuts the surface 26A, and two parallel arms 66, 70 protrude into the space 22. The arms 66, 70 define a groove 74 therebetween for supporting accessories such as the shelf shown at 78 in FIGS. 1-3.

[0023] The shell 46 is also mounted via the rail 54; the shell 54 extends between the rail 54 and the structural member 30. Grommets (not shown) may be employed in the shell 46 through which the fasteners 58 extend to maintain a seal to maintain water resistance. The shell 46 is sewn on the outside surface 50 of the segment 18A, then seam sealed, overlapped, reinforced on outside surface 50 for durability.

[0024] Referring again to FIGS. 1-3, the apparatus 10 includes mesh netting 82 that is mounted to each segment 18A-18D at the segment's respective inner surface 26A-26D such that the netting 82 extends across the space 22. In the embodiment depicted, the netting 82 is mounted to each segment 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D of the frame 14 via the rail 54. More specifically, the netting 82 is secured to each segment 18A-18D by extending between, and being secured by, the rail 54 and the structural member 30. The connection of the netting 82 to segment 18A is representative of the connection of the netting 82 to the other segments 18B-18D and is shown schematically in FIG. 4. The fasteners 58 may extend through the netting 82. The netting may also have grommets installed so it could be replaced if needed. The netting 82 defines holes 83 as shown in FIG. 2B. It should be noted that the holes 83 as depicted are for illustrative purposes, and are preferably smaller than shown. The holes 83 are preferably no larger than ? inches in length or width. The netting 82 may be marine grade coated polyester, though other suitable materials may be employed within the scope of the claimed invention.

[0025] FIGS. 6 and 7 schematically depict a method of using the apparatus 10 with a boat 86 or other watercraft. Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the boat 86 is floating within a body of water 90 such as, but not limited to, a river, a lake, an ocean, etc. A portion of the boat 86 is above the surface 94 of the body of water 90, and a portion of the boat 86 is below the surface 94 of the body of water 90.

[0026] The frame 14 of the apparatus 10 exhibits sufficient buoyancy such that the frame 14 supports the apparatus 10 above the surface 94 when the apparatus 10 is placed in the body of water 90. The netting 82 extends substantially horizontally and is generally parallel to the surface 94. More specifically, the netting 82 covers an area of the surface 94 of the water 90, and is sufficiently mounted to the frame 14 such that an object falling above the netting 82 will be captured by the netting 82 instead of falling through the water 90, where it may sink a considerable distance and be unretrievable or damaged.

[0027] The method includes placing the apparatus 10 in the water 90 such that the apparatus floats at the surface 94 of the water and the netting 82 is generally horizontal. Placing the apparatus 10 in the water preferably includes placing the apparatus 10 in the water such that the apparatus 10 contacts or is adjacent to the boat 86. For example, the apparatus 10 may be placed along the hull 98 of the boat 86 on the port or starboard side, as shown in FIG. 6, or in contact with the transom 102, as shown in FIG. 7. The apparatus 10 may be attached to the boat 86 using D-rings, straps, etc. as described below.

[0028] The method may further include performing repair or maintenance on the boat 86 above the apparatus 10, and using tools or replacement parts 105 with the apparatus 10 positioned such that if one of the tools or replacement parts 105 is dropped, it will fall on the netting 82.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 7, the apparatus 10 may be below an outboard motor assembly 103 in the event that repair and maintenance is performed on the outboard motor assembly. The netting 82 preferably has enough sag in it to slide under the lower unit and propeller 104 but allow the frame 14, i.e., the rim, of the apparatus 10 to remain on the water surface 94. Thus, the netting 82 may support the lower unit and propeller.

[0030] Referring again to FIGS. 1-4, the apparatus 10 may include various accessories that facilitate its use. The shelf 78 is a substantially rigid member, such as HDPE or aluminum, that extends into the grooves 74 of the rails 54 on segments that are on opposite sides of the space 22 such that the rails 54 support the shelf 78 above a portion of the netting 82. In FIGS. 1-3, the shelf 78 is shown within the grooves 74 of the rails 54 on segments 18A, 18B, and 18D. The shelf 78 provides a surface for holding tools and/or replacement parts to be used on the boat.

[0031] Magnetic strips 106 may be placed on the shelf 78 or segments 18A-18D as shown to resist movement of tools or trays 107 placed thereon. Flexible straps 110 attached to the frame 14 may be used as handles to carry the apparatus 10 or to secure the apparatus 10 to boats, docks, piers, etc. Similarly, D-rings 114 may also be attached to the frame 14 as shown for similar purposes.

[0032] The segments 18A-18D are interconnected by flexible connections such that the frame 14 is foldable as shown in FIG. 5 for easier transportation and storage. In one embodiment, the segments 18A-18D may be interconnected by releasable fasteners such as buckles so that the frame 14 may be folded in-line for storage. Thus, the segments 18A-18D are selectively pivotable relative to one another. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), and within the scope of the claimed invention, the frame 14 includes more than four segments so that the frame 14 when folded has smaller dimensions.

[0033] In one embodiment, the netting 82 is no larger than 6 feet by 6 feet. In other embodiments, the netting 82 is no larger than 5 feet by 5 feet. In yet other embodiments, the netting 82 is no larger than 3 feet by 3 feet.

[0034] While the best modes for carrying out the disclosure have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this disclosure relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the disclosure within the scope of the appended claims.