RETRACTABLE CANTILEVERED WATERCRAFT CANOPY SYSTEM

Abstract

A retractable cantilevered watercraft whip mooring system has a retractable canopy which covers the watercraft while moored to a dock. The system includes a pair of whips secured to the dock by a pair of mounts. Each whip includes a tie-down line. Each whip includes a tie-down line. The retractable cantilevered watercraft whip mooring system protects the watercraft from rubbing or bumping against the dock. In addition, a retractable canopy slides over and is secured by the pair of whips. The retractable canopy includes a support baten. The watercraft is secured by the retractable cantilevered watercraft whip mooring system to protect the watercraft from rubbing or bumping against the dock. The canopy slides over the pair of whips. The canopy is securable relative to an exterior side of the watercraft, enabling the watercraft to be protected during severe weather conditions while the watercraft is attached to the dock.

Claims

1. A cantilevered watercraft canopy system for securing a watercraft to a dock, said cantilevered watercraft canopy system comprising: a. a first whip secured to said dock by a first dock mount, said first whip being affixed to said retractable canopy along said first edge of said retractable canopy, said first whip including a first tie down line, said first whip secured to said watercraft at a first watercraft attachment point; b. a second whip secured to said dock by a second dock mount, said second whip being affixed to said retractable canopy along said second edge of said retractable canopy, said second whip including a second tie down line, said second whip secured to said watercraft at a second watercraft attachment point; c. a first retractable canopy tie-down line, said first retractable canopy tie-down line further securing said retractable canopy to said dock; d. a retractable canopy having a first and a second edge, said first whip being affixed to said retractable canopy along said first edge, said second whip being affixed to said retractable canopy along said second edge; and e. a second retractable canopy tie-down line, said second retractable canopy tie down line further securing said retractable canopy to said watercraft; whereby said retractable canopy slides over said first and second whips, said retractable canopy being securable relative to an exterior side of said watercraft, enabling said watercraft to be protected from sun, heat, pollution, dust, acid rain, sleet, hail, and flying debris that may be encountered during severe weather conditions while said watercraft is attached to said dock.

2. The cantilevered watercraft canopy system for securing a watercraft to a dock of claim 1, whereby said watercraft is secured to said dock by said cantilevered watercraft canopy system to protect said watercraft from rubbing or bumping against the dock during severe weather conditions while said watercraft is attached to said dock.

3. The cantilevered watercraft canopy system for securing a watercraft to a dock of claim 1, wherein said retractable canopy is made of a flexible material, and said first and second whips are made of fiber reinforced plastic.

4. The cantilevered watercraft canopy system for securing a watercraft to a dock of claim 1, wherein said retractable canopy is stretchable, stretching over said first and second whips.

5. The cantilevered watercraft canopy system for securing a watercraft to a dock of claim 1, further comprising at least one support baten.

6. The cantilevered watercraft canopy system for securing a watercraft to a dock of claim 1, wherein said retractable canopy is secured directly to said dock.

7. The cantilevered watercraft canopy system for securing a watercraft to a dock of claim 1, further comprising a third whip secured to said dock by a third dock mount, said third whip being affixed to said retractable canopy, said third whip including a third tie down line, said third whip secured to said watercraft at a third watercraft attachment point.

8. A cantilevered watercraft canopy system for securing a watercraft to a dock, said cantilevered watercraft canopy system comprising: a. a first and a second whip secured to said dock, said first whip secured to said dock by a first dock mount, said second whip secured to said dock by a second dock mount, said first whip including a first tie down line, said first whip secured to said watercraft at a first watercraft attachment point, said second whip including a second tie down line, said second whip secured to said watercraft at a second watercraft attachment point; b. a first retractable canopy tie-down line, said first retractable canopy tie-down line further securing said retractable canopy to said dock, and a second retractable canopy tie-down line, said second retractable canopy tie down line further securing said retractable canopy to said watercraft; c. a retractable canopy having a first and a second edge, said first whip being affixed to said retractable canopy along said first edge, said second whip being affixed to said retractable canopy along said second edge; and d. at least one support baten extending along a width of said retractable canopy; whereby said watercraft is secured by said cantilevered watercraft canopy system to protect said watercraft from rubbing or bumping against said dock.

9. The cantilevered watercraft canopy system for securing a watercraft to a dock of claim 8, further comprising a third whip secured to said dock by a third dock mount, said third whip being affixed to said retractable canopy, said third whip including a third tie down line, said third whip secured to said watercraft at a third watercraft attachment point.

10. The cantilevered watercraft canopy system for securing a watercraft to a dock of claim 8, wherein said retractable canopy is made of a flexible material, and said first and second whips are made of fiber reinforced plastic.

11. The cantilevered watercraft canopy system for securing a watercraft to a dock of claim 8, wherein said canopy is retractable, stretching over said plurality of whips and attached to boat cleats on the opposite side of said watercraft from said dock.

12. The cantilevered watercraft canopy system for securing a watercraft to a dock of claim 8, wherein said retractable canopy is secured directly to said dock.

13. The cantilevered watercraft canopy system for securing a watercraft to a dock of claim 8, wherein said retractable canopy is stretchable, stretching over said first and second whips.

14. The cantilevered watercraft canopy system for securing a watercraft to a dock of claim 8, wherein said retractable canopy is secured directly to said dock.

15. A cantilevered watercraft canopy system for securing a watercraft to a dock, said cantilevered watercraft canopy system comprising: a. a first and a second whip secured to said dock, said first whip secured to said dock by a first dock mount, said second whip secured to said dock by a second dock mount, said first whip including a first tie down line, said first whip secured to said watercraft at a first watercraft attachment point, said second whip including a second tie down line, said second whip secured to said watercraft at a second watercraft attachment point; b. a first retractable canopy tie-down line, said first retractable canopy tie-down line further securing said retractable canopy to said dock, and a second retractable canopy tie-down line, said second retractable canopy tie down line further securing said retractable canopy to said watercraft; c. a retractable canopy having a first and a second edge, said first whip being affixed to said retractable canopy along said first edge, said second whip being affixed to said retractable canopy along said second edge; and d. at least one support baten extending along a width of said retractable canopy; whereby said watercraft is secured by said cantilevered watercraft canopy system to protect said watercraft from rubbing or bumping against said dock; and whereby said retractable canopy slides over said first and second whips, said retractable canopy being securable relative to an exterior side of said watercraft, enabling said watercraft to be protected from sun, heat, pollution, dust, acid rain, sleet, hail, and flying debris that may be encountered during severe weather conditions while said watercraft is attached to said dock.

16. The cantilevered watercraft canopy system for securing a watercraft to a dock of claim 15, further comprising a third whip secured to said dock by a third dock mount, said third whip being affixed to said retractable canopy, said third whip including a third tie down line, said third whip secured to said watercraft at a third watercraft attachment point.

17. The cantilevered watercraft canopy system for securing a watercraft to a dock of claim 15, wherein said retractable canopy is made of a flexible material, and said first and second whips are made of fiber reinforced plastic.

18. The cantilevered watercraft canopy system for securing a watercraft to a dock of claim 15, wherein said retractable canopy is stretchable, stretching over said first and second whips and attachable to boat cleats on the opposite side of said watercraft from said dock.

19. The cantilevered watercraft canopy system for securing a watercraft to a dock of claim 15, wherein said retractable canopy is secured directly to said dock.

20. The cantilevered watercraft canopy system for securing a watercraft to a dock of claim 15, wherein said retractable canopy is secured directly to said dock.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1 depicts an assembly view of a first preferred embodiment of the cantilever watercraft canopy system of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 2 depicts the preferred embodiment of the cantilever watercraft canopy system of FIG. 1, with the canopy removed.

[0021] FIG. 3 depicts an assembly view of a second preferred embodiment of the cantilever watercraft canopy system of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 4 depicts the preferred embodiment of the cantilever watercraft canopy system of FIG. 3, with the canopy removed.

[0023] FIG. 5 depicts an assembly view of a third preferred embodiment of the cantilever watercraft canopy system of the present invention.

DETAILED DECRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 depict the first preferred embodiment of the cantilever watercraft canopy system of the present invention. The watercraft canopy [1] is attached to the whips [2] and slides along the whips [2] when in use and affixed to watercraft cleats [5] via the canopy tie-down line [13] on the opposite side of the watercraft [6] to provide tension to the watercraft canopy [2] as well as keep the watercraft canopy [2] in position. The canopy tie-down line [13] is also used to secure the bottom of the watercraft canopy [1] to the dock [3] and is threaded through the grommets [14] located on the bottom of the watercraft canopy [1] material. The watercraft canopy [1] is attached to the dock [3] via a plurality of dock cleats [18] mounted on the dock [3].

[0025] The whips [2] are attached to the dock [3] by way of a plurality of dock mounts [4]. Once the whips [2] are installed, the tie-up lines [7] are then tied to the watercraft cleats [5] and the spring lines [8]. In addition, one or more breast lines [9] are tied to the watercraft cleats [5] as well and the tension adjusted. Once the desired tension is achieved, the watercraft will remain in place during wind gusts and wakes and securely positioned relative to other watercraft without impacting the dock. To provide ballast to the watercraft canopy [1] one or more support batens [10] which run the entire width of the canopy [1] and attach to the boat whips [2] may be used. A tie-down bracket [16] is used to secure an end of the line to each whip [2] via a tie-down bracket line [17].

[0026] One preferred embodiment for the boat whips [2] and dock mounts [4] are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,578,509, which provides a mooring whip base of simplified construction for economical manufacture and exemplary performance over an extended service life. In addition, said boat whips [2] and dock mounts [4] facilitate and simplify the selective placement and retention of a mooring whip in either a mooring position or a retracted position; places a mooring whip in a mooring position which enables a more effective biasing of a watercraft away from a docking structure, and in a retracted position which provides ready access to the watercraft for boarding and better makes way for departure of the watercraft from the docking structure; enables the use of a shorter mooring whip with increased strength positioned to provide biasing forces sufficient to perform effectively with larger watercraft, as well as with smaller watercraft; enables a positive placement of a mooring whip in a selectively adjustable mooring position or retracted position for optimum performance in a variety of installations; enhances the operation and simplifies the use of mooring whips in connection with a wider range of watercraft and docking structures; enables increased safety in the use of mooring whips, thereby promoting safer use of boats; enables better protection of a wider variety and range of sizes of watercraft moored at docking structures, together with increased ease of boarding and departure.

[0027] At the base of the watercraft canopy [1] material stops [11] are preferably deployed which prevent the material of the watercraft canopy [1] from pulling up over the whips [2] after the canopy has been secured to the watercraft cleat [5] on the side of the watercraft [6] which is opposite the dock [3]. The whips [2] are preferably made from a flexible material, a fiber reinforced plastic material being the material of choice. Watercraft whips [2] are intended to prevent the watercraft [6] from coming into contact with a dock due to the wake produced by other watercraft, or from moderate winds, causing damage to the gel coat on the hull or to the dock itself. This works via tension which is created when the watercraft whips [2] are tied to the watercraft [6] and put under tension, causing them to arc. This tension holds the watercraft [6] preferably about a couple of feet away from the dock preventing impacts with the dock when there is wake or moderate wind. Watercraft whips are not meant to be used in very high wind conditions, and are generally used for non-permanent, short-term, mooring option. The tie-up lines [7], spring lines [8] and breast lines [9] can be of any common rope material, with the most common being nylon due to its strength, superior wear characteristics, and resistance to the elements.

[0028] FIGS. 3 and 4 depict a second preferred embodiment of the cantilever watercraft canopy system of the present invention. The watercraft canopy [101] is attached to the whips [2] and slides along the whips [2] when in use and is affixed to watercraft cleats [5] via the canopy tie-down line [13] on the opposite side of the watercraft [6] to provide tension to the watercraft canopy [2] as well as keep the watercraft canopy [2] in position. The canopy tie-down line [13] is also used to secure the bottom of the watercraft canopy [101] to the dock [3] and is threaded through the grommets [14] located on the bottom of the watercraft canopy [101] material. The watercraft canopy [101] is attached to the dock [3] via a plurality of dock cleats [18] mounted on the dock [3].

[0029] The whips [2] are attached to the dock [3] by way of a plurality of dock mounts [4]. Once the whips [2] are installed, the tie-up lines [7] are then tied to the watercraft cleats [5] and the spring lines [8]. In addition, one or more breast lines [9] are tied to the watercraft cleats [5] as well and the tension adjusted. Once the desired tension is achieved, the watercraft will remain in place during wind gusts and wakes and securely positioned relative to other watercraft without impacting the dock. To support the watercraft canopy [101] one or more support batens [10] which run the entire width of the canopy [101] and attach to the boat whips [2] may be used. A tie-down bracket [16] is used to secure an end of the line to each whip [2].

[0030] At the base of the watercraft canopy material stops [11] are preferably deployed which prevent the material of the watercraft canopy [101] from pulling up over the whips [2] after the canopy has been secured to the watercraft cleat [5] on the side of the watercraft [6] which is opposite the dock [3]. The whips [2] are made from a flexible material, a fiber reinforced plastic material being the material of choice. Watercraft whips [2] are intended to prevent the watercraft [6] from coming into contact with a dock due to the wake produced by other watercraft, or from moderate winds, causing damage to the gel coat on the hull or to the dock itself. This works via tension which is created when the watercraft whips [2] are tied to the watercraft [6] and put under tension, causing them to arc. This tension holds the watercraft [6] preferably about a couple of feet away from the dock preventing impacts with the dock when there is wake or moderate wind. Watercraft whips are not meant to be used in very high wind conditions, and are generally used for non-permanent, short-term, mooring option. The tie-up lines [7], spring lines [8] and breast lines [9] can be of any common rope material, with the most common being nylon due to its strength, superior wear characteristics, and resistance to the elements.

[0031] FIG. 5 depicts an assembly view of a third preferred embodiment of the cantilever watercraft canopy system of the present invention [210]. This third embodiment has the mounts [4] for the whips [2] located underneath the dock [3]. This third embodiment also does not have material stops [11] and relies on the canopy tie-down line [12] to hold the watercraft canopy [201] in place. The cantilevered watercraft canopy [201] is tailored to the shape and size of the watercraft [6].

[0032] The watercraft canopy may be made of a wide variety of suitable materials including laminated polyester-based fabric or some other weather-resistant flexible material, cloth, nylon, vinyl, or any marine grade fabric. However, the watercraft canopy is preferably made of a flexible sheet material, such as conventional plastic tarp material, woven or non-woven fabrics in automobile covers, heavier canvas or synthetic fabric material, or the like. The use of flexible sheet material combined with flexible whips [2] combine to provide maximum protection for the exposed side of the watercraft [6] away from the dock [3].

[0033] The protective canopy [1] has been used to protect parked or stored vehicles from damage caused by environmental and weather conditions such as the sun, heat, pollution, dust, acid rain, sleet, hail, and flying debris that may be encountered during severe weather conditions.

[0034] Throughout this application, various Patents and Applications are referenced by number and inventor. The disclosures of these documents in their entireties are hereby incorporated by reference into this specification in order to more fully describe the state of the art to which this invention pertains. It is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations of the cantilevered watercraft canopy system of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the disclosure herein. It is intended that the metes and bounds of the present invention be determined by the appended claims rather than by the language of the above specification, and that all such alternatives, modifications, and variations which form a conjointly cooperative equivalent are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of these claims.

PARTS LIST

[0035] 1. Watercraft Canopy1.sup.st Embodiment

[0036] 2. Whip

[0037] 3. Dock

[0038] 4. Mount

[0039] 5. Watercraft Cleat

[0040] 6. Watercraft

[0041] 7. Tie-up Line

[0042] 8. Spring Line

[0043] 9. Breast Line

[0044] 10. Cantilevered Watercraft Canopy System1.sup.st Embodiment

[0045] 11. Material Stop

[0046] 12. Tie-Down Line

[0047] 13. Canopy Tie-Down Line

[0048] 14. Grommet

[0049] 15. Support Baten

[0050] 16. Tie-Down Bracket

[0051] 17. Tie-Down Bracket Line

[0052] 18. Dock Cleat

[0053] 21. Exterior Surface of Watercraft

[0054] 22. Interior Surface of Watercraft

[0055] 101. Watercraft Canopy2.sup.nd Embodiment

[0056] 110. Cantilevered Watercraft Canopy System2.sup.nd Embodiment

[0057] 201. Watercraft Canopy3.sup.rd Embodiment

[0058] 210. Cantilevered Watercraft Canopy System3.sup.rd Embodiment