WALL FOR A WATERCRAFT AND WATERCRAFT HAVING THE SAME

Abstract

A wall for a watercraft and the watercraft. The watercraft having a hull and a deck supported by the hull. The wall extends around at least a portion of a floor of the deck. The wall includes a rear wall, a front wall, and two sidewalls connecting the rear wall and the front wall. The front wall has a first wall section, a second wall section and an intermediate wall section extending between the first and second wall sections. The first wall section includes a first door while the second wall section includes a second door. The first and second doors are moveable between an opened position and a closed position. The watercraft further includes a seat connected to the deck. The seat is positioned proximate to and aligns with at least one of the first and the second doors.

Claims

1. A watercraft comprising: a hull; a deck supported by the hull; a wall extending around at least a portion of a floor of the deck, the wall including: a rear wall having a first end and a second end; a front wall having: a first wall section having a first door, the first door being selectively moveable between: a first door opened position; and a first door closed position, where at least a portion of the first wall section is defined by the first door; a second wall section having a second door, the second door being selectively moveable between: a second door opened position; and a second door closed position, where at least a portion of the second wall section is defined by the second door; and an intermediate wall section extending between the first wall section and the second wall section; a first sidewall connecting the first wall section of the front wall and the first end of the rear wall; and a second sidewall connecting the second wall section of the front wall and the second end of the rear wall; and a seat connected to the deck, the seat being positioned proximate to and aligning with at least one of the first and the second door.

2. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein: the first door is pivotably connected to the first sidewall, such that the first door pivots towards the first sidewall to the first door opened position; and the second door is pivotably connected to the second sidewall, such that the second door pivots towards the second sidewall to the second door opened position.

3. The watercraft of claim 2, wherein: the first sidewall has a first sidewall exterior surface; the second sidewall has a second sidewall exterior surface; the first door is configured to pivot outwardly towards the first sidewall exterior surface to the first door opened position; and the second door is configured to pivot outwardly towards the second sidewall exterior surface to the second door opened position.

4. The watercraft of claim 2, further comprising at least one hinge pivotably connecting at least one of the first door and the second door to a corresponding one of the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

5. The watercraft of claim 4, wherein the at least one hinge comprises: a first portion having a contact surface defining: a first ramp sloping towards a corresponding one of the first door closed position and the second door closed position; and a second ramp sloping towards a corresponding one the first door opened position and the second door closed position; and a second portion pivotable relative to the first portion, the second portion having: a surface; and a protrusion extending from the surface and contacting the contact surface of the first portion, such that as the first and second portions rotate relative to one another, the protrusion moves along the contact surface.

6. The watercraft of claim 5, wherein for each of the at least one hinge: the first portion is connected to the corresponding one of the first sidewall and the second sidewall; and the second portion is connected to the at least one of the first door and the second door.

7. The watercraft of claim 5, wherein, for each of the at least one hinge, the second ramp ends in a trough, such that the protrusion is retained by the trough when the at least one of the first door and the second door is in the corresponding one of the first door closed position and the second closed door position.

8. The watercraft of claim 4, wherein the at least one hinge comprises: a first hinge pivotably connecting the first door to the first sidewall; and a second hinge pivotably connecting the second door to the second sidewall.

9. The watercraft of claim 1, further comprising at least one locking handle positioned between the intermediate wall section and at least one of the first door and the second door for locking a corresponding one of the first door and the second door in a corresponding one of the first door closed position and the second door closed position.

10. The watercraft of claim 9, wherein: at least one of the first door and the second door comprises: a handrail extending along an upper edge of the corresponding one of the first door and the second door, the handrail having: a bottom surface; and a projection extending away from the bottom surface, the projection defining an opening; the at least one locking handle comprises: a handle; and a pin operatively connected to the handle, the pin being moveable between: an extended position, in which the pin is slidably received in the opening of the handrail; and a retracted position, in which the pin is slidably withdrawn from the opening of the handrail.

11. The watercraft of claim 10, further comprising: at least one bracket connected to the intermediate wall section and defining a bracket opening for slidably receiving the pin of the at least one locking handle, the at least one bracket having a groove configured to receive and retain the projection of the handrail.

12. The watercraft of claim 9, wherein the at least one locking handle comprises: a first locking handle positioned between the intermediate wall section and the first door for locking the first door in the first door closed position; and a second locking handle positioned between the intermediate wall section and the second door for locking the second door in the second door closed position.

13. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein: the first door defines all of the first wall section of the front wall; and the second door defines all of the second wall section of the front wall.

14. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein each of the first wall section of the front wall and the second wall section of the front wall extends outwardly and rearwardly from the intermediate wall section to a corresponding one of the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

15. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein the intermediate wall section has a third door, the third door moveable between: a third door opened position, and a third door closed position, where at least a portion of the intermediate wall section is defined by the third door when the third door is fully closed.

16. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein the intermediate wall section comprises: a first post disposed at a first outer edge of the intermediate wall section; a first handhold connected to the first post; a second post disposed at a second outer edge of the intermediate wall section, the second outer edge being opposite the first outer edge; and a second handhold connected to the second post.

17. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein: the seat is a first seat positioned proximate to and aligning with the first door; and the watercraft further comprises a second seat positioned proximate to and aligning with the second door.

18. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein the watercraft is a multi-hull pontoon.

19. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein: the intermediate wall section has a first intermediate wall section end and a second intermediate wall section end; the first sidewall has a first sidewall end; the first door is pivotably connected to the first sidewall end; when the first door is in the first door opened position, a first door opening is defined between the first intermediate wall section end and the first sidewall end; the second sidewall has a second sidewall end; the second door is pivotably connected to the second sidewall end; when the second door is in the second door opened position, a second door opening is defined between the second intermediate wall section end and the second sidewall end; and the first sidewall end and the second sidewall end are aligned with one another such that the first door opening aligns with the second door opening.

20. A wall configured to extend around at least a portion of a floor of a deck of a watercraft, the wall comprising: a rear wall having a first end and a second end; a front wall having: a first wall section having a first door, the first door being selectively moveable between: a first door opened position; and a first door closed position, where at least a portion of the first wall section is defined by the first door; a second wall section having a second door, the second door being selectively moveable between: a second door opened position; and a second door closed position, where at least a portion of the second wall section is defined by the second door; and an intermediate wall section extending between the first wall section and the second wall section; a first sidewall connecting the first wall section of the front wall and the first end of the rear wall; and a second sidewall connecting the second wall section of the front wall and the second end of the rear wall.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] For a better understanding of the present technology, as well as other aspects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following description which is to be used in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where:

[0033] FIG. 1 is a perspective view taken from a top, front, left side of a pontoon boat in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology, with a left door and a right door in opened positions;

[0034] FIG. 2 is a left side elevation view of the pontoon boat of FIG. 1;

[0035] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the pontoon boat of FIG. 1;

[0036] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the pontoon boat of FIG. 1;

[0037] FIG. 5 is a perspective view taken from a top, front, left side of the pontoon boat of FIG. 1, with the left door and the right door in closed positions;

[0038] FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the pontoon boat of FIG. 5;

[0039] FIG. 7 is a close-up perspective view taken from a top, front, left side of the left door of the pontoon boat of FIG. 1, with the left door in the opened position;

[0040] FIG. 8 is a close-up left side elevation view of a hinge pivotably connecting the left door to a left sidewall of the pontoon boat of FIG. 1, with the left door in the closed position;

[0041] FIG. 9 is a close-up front elevation view of the hinge of FIG. 8, with the left door in the closed position;

[0042] FIG. 10 is a close-up front side elevation view of the hinge of FIG. 8, with the left door in the opened position;

[0043] FIG. 11 is a perspective view taken from a top, rear, left side of a locking handle positioned between the left door and an intermediate wall section of the front wall of the pontoon boat of FIG. 1, with the left door in the closed position;

[0044] FIG. 12 is a cross-section of the locking handle taken along line A-A in FIG. 11, with the left door in the closed position; and

[0045] FIG. 13 is a cross-section of the locking handle taken along line A-A in FIG. 11, with the left door in the opened position and the intermediate door in the opened position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] A watercraft 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the present technology is shown in FIGS. 1 to 6. The following description relates to one example of a watercraft 10, notably a pontoon boat 10, referred to hereinafter as a boat 10. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that there are other known types of watercraft incorporating different designs and that the present technology would encompass these other watercraft.

[0047] The boat 10 has a deck 20 and a hull 32 supporting the deck 20. In this embodiment, the hull 32 is formed by three separate laterally adjacent portions that are connected to one another, making the boat 10 a multi-hull pontoon. Specifically, the hull 32 has a central portion 33 flanked by left and right lateral portions 40. It is contemplated that, in alternative embodiments, the hull 32 may be a single integral portion.

[0048] The deck 20 is supported by and extends above the hull 32. The deck 20 has a floor 24 extending over an upper surface of the deck 20 for supporting occupants, as well as accessories and accommodations of the boat 10, such as various seats 25 and a command console 27. In this embodiment, the seats 25 include a combination of stools, benches, and swivel seats configured to selectively attach to the floor 24. It is contemplated that a different combination of accessories and accommodations may be selected in other embodiments.

[0049] The boat 10 includes a secondary motor 22, such as a trolling motor 22, for low-speed maneuvering of the boat 10. In this embodiment, the trolling motor 22 is mounted to a front end 26 (bow) of the boat 10 and may be selectively raised and lowered into the water as needed. It is contemplated that, in alternative embodiments, the trolling motor 22 may be mounted to another part of the boat 10, such as a rear end 28 (stern) of the boat 10.

[0050] The boat 10 includes a wall 100 that extends around a portion of the floor 24 which encompasses the seats 25 and the command console 27, providing a barrier for passenger safety and comfort. For example, in this embodiment, the wall 100 is of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 11,685,484, which is incorporated by reference herein. In some alternate embodiments, the wall 100 is formed of a tubular metal frame supporting sheet metal panels. In other alternate embodiments, the wall 100 is formed of molded fiberglass wall sections. In even further alternate embodiments, the wall 100 may be formed of a combination of the tubular metal frames, sheet metal panels, and fiberglass wall sections.

[0051] The wall 100 includes a rear wall 102 extending across the rear end 28 and a front wall 104 extending across the front end 26 of the boat 10. Two sidewalls 106 connect the rear wall 102 and to the front wall 104. Specifically, a left sidewall 106 extends along a left side 29 (port side) of the boat 10, connecting one end of the rear wall 102 to a corresponding end of the front wall 104. Similarly, a right sidewall 106 extends along a right side 30 (starboard side) of the boat 10, connecting the other end of the rear wall 102 to the other end of the front wall 104. It is contemplated that, in other embodiments, portions of the front wall 104, the rear wall 102, and the sidewalls 106 may be defined by accessories and/or accommodations attached to the floor 24 of the boat 10, such as a backing of a bench or an exterior surface of a storage compartment. Each of the front wall 104, the rear wall 102, and the sidewalls 106 include a handrail extending across at least a portion of an upper edge of the respective walls 102, 104, 106.

[0052] With specific reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, the front wall 104 will be described in further detail. The front wall 104 includes a left wall section 110, a right wall section 112, and an intermediate wall section 114, extending between the left wall section 110 and the right wall section 112. In this embodiment, the intermediate wall section 114 includes two posts 115 positioned on the lateral outer edges of the intermediate wall section 114. Handholds 113 are positioned atop each post 115. As depicted in FIG. 4, each of the left and the right wall sections 110, 112 are angled outwardly and rearwardly from the intermediate wall section 114. Specifically, the left wall section 110 extends outwardly from the intermediate wall section 114, then outwardly and rearwardly from the left post 115 of the intermediate wall section to the left sidewall 106 while the right wall section 112 extends outwardly from the intermediate wall section 114, then outwardly and rearwardly from the right post 115 of the intermediate wall section 114 to the right sidewall 106. However, in alternative embodiments, the left and the right wall sections 110, 112 may not be angled outwardly and rearwardly, for example the left and the right wall sections 110, 112 may be extend outwardly from the intermediate wall section 114, then straight towards the respective sidewalls 106.

[0053] In the present embodiment, the left wall section 110 defines a recessed portion 111 to provide clearance for the trolling motor 22 when the trolling motor 22 is in the raised position. However, depending on the position of the trolling motor 22, the recessed portion 111 may be defined in any one of or a combination of the left wall section 110, the right wall section 112, the intermediate wall section 114, the sidewalls 106, and the rear wall 102. In other embodiments, the recessed portion 111 may be omitted, for example if the boat 10 does not include the trolling motor 22.

[0054] The left wall section 110 includes a left door 116 and the right wall section 112 includes a right door 118 to enable water access for various activities, such as fishing. There are seats 25 positioned proximate to and aligning with each of the doors 116, 118 such that passengers can sit while fishing. In this embodiment, the left door 116 defines the entire left wall section 110 while the right door 118 defines the entire right wall section 112. However, in alternative embodiments, the left and the right doors 116, 118 may define only a portion of the left and the right wall sections 110, 112 respectively.

[0055] Each of the doors 116, 118 can be moved between an opened position (as depicted in FIGS. 1 to 4), allowing for water access for fishing, and a closed position (as depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6). The left and the right doors 116, 118 are pivotably connected to the left and the right sidewalls 106 respectively. When moving from the closed position to the opened position, the left door 116 pivots away from the left post 115 of the intermediate wall section 114 towards the left sidewall 106. Similarly, the right door 118 pivots away from the right post 115 of the intermediate wall section 114 towards the right sidewall 106. Specifically, each of the doors 116, 118 pivot outwardly, away from the portion of the floor 24 which is enclosed by the wall 100, towards the sidewalls 106, thereby avoiding any obstruction or interference with the seats 25. When in the opened position, the doors 116, 118 contact an exterior surface of the sidewalls 106. It is contemplated that, in other embodiments, the doors 116, 118 may pivot inwardly. In this instance, when in the opened position, the doors 116, 118 may contact an interior surface of the sidewalls 106. It is further contemplated that the left and the right doors 116, 118 may be pivotably connected to another part, for example the intermediate wall section 114 or the deck 20. It is noted that the doors 116, 118 may be connected differently in different embodiments. For example, in some cases the doors 116, 118 may be configured to be removable panels or a pocket door.

[0056] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, when the left and right doors 116, 118 in the opened position, there is lateral access from the left side 29 of the boat 10 across to the right side 30 of the boat 10. The left and right sidewalls 106 extend to substantially the same length along the left and right sides 29, 30 of the boat 10. The ends of the left and right sidewalls 106, which pivotably connect to the left and right doors 116, 118, are aligned with one another. When the left door 116 is opened, an opening 107 is defined between the left post 115 of the intermediate wall section 114 and the end of the left sidewall 106. Similarly, when the right door 118 is opened, an opening 109 is defined between the right post 115 of the intermediate wall section 114 and the end of the right sidewall 106. The openings 107, 109 are laterally aligned with one another.

[0057] The intermediate wall section 114 includes an intermediate door 117 to provide a central access to water. Similar to the doors 116, 118 of the left and the right wall sections 110, 112, the intermediate door 117 defines the entire intermediate wall section 114. However, in other embodiments, the intermediate door 117 may define a portion of the intermediate wall section 114. The intermediate door 117 is pivotably connected to the left post 115 but may be pivotably connected to the right post 115 in other embodiments. The intermediate door 117 is configured to pivot inwardly such that, when the intermediate door 117 is in the opened position, it does not interfere or obstruct the doors 116, 118 from opening when the doors 116, 118 are in the closed position or access to the water when the doors 116, 118 are in the opened position.

[0058] With reference to FIGS. 7 to 10, the left door 116 is pivotably connected to the left sidewall 106 by a pair of hinges 122. Similarly, the right door 118 is pivotably connected to the right sidewall 106 by another pair of hinges 122. In this embodiment, each pair of hinges 122 include an upper and a lower hinge 122 (as depicted in FIG. 7). However, any number of hinges 122 may be used to pivotably connect the doors 116, 118 to the sidewalls 106. It is noted that the hinges 122 have a similar configuration. Therefore, for clarity, only one of the hinges 122 connected to the left door 116 will be described in detail.

[0059] The hinge 122 includes an upper portion 124 and a lower portion 126 configured to pivot relative to one another. In this embodiment, the upper portion 124 is connected to the door 116 and the lower portion 126 is connected to the sidewall 106, such that the upper portion 124 is pivotable relative to the lower portion 126. It is contemplated that, in alternative embodiments, the lower portion 126 may be connected to the door 116 and the upper portion 124 may be connected to the sidewall 106, such that the lower portion 126 is pivotable relative to the upper portion 124.

[0060] The hinge 122 includes two biasing mechanisms, a first biasing mechanism to bias the door 116 towards the closed position and a second biasing mechanism to bias the door 116 to the opened position. In this embodiment, the upper portion 124 of the hinge 122 includes a protrusion 128 extending downwardly from a bottom surface 130 of the upper portion 124. An upper surface 132 of the lower portion 126 defines a contact surface on which the protrusion 128 moves along as the upper portion 124 pivots relative to the lower portion 126. The upper surface 132 of the lower portion 126 defines a first ramp 136 sloping towards the closed position of the door 116 such that the protrusion 128 of the upper portion 124 moves along the ramp 136, pivoting the door 116 to the closed position. As depicted in FIG. 8, the upper surface 132 defines a bumper 135 at the end of the ramp 136 to stop further movement of the protrusion 128. The upper surface 132 further defines a second ramp 138 sloping towards the opened position of the door 116 such that the protrusion 128 of the upper portion 124 moves along the ramp 138, pivoting the door 116 to the opened position. The ramps 136, 138 are separated by an intermediate landing 140. In other words, the first ramp 136 slopes downwards from one side of the intermediate landing 140 towards the closed position and the second ramp 138 slopes downwards from the other side of the intermediate landing 140 towards the opened position. Consequently, the door 116 will not remain in an intermediate position. Instead, the door 116 will bias towards the opened position or the closed position. From the intermediate landing 140, the protrusion 128 moves downward towards the closed position, translating along the first ramp 136, causing the upper portion 124 of the hinge 122 and the door 116 to move vertically downward. From the closed position, the protrusion 128 moves upward toward the intermediate landing 140, translating along the first ramp 136, causing the upper portion 124 of the hinge 122 and the door 116 to move vertically upwards. Similarly, from the intermediate landing 140, the protrusion moves downward towards the open position, translating along the second ramp 138, causing the upper portion 124 of the hinge 122 and the door 116 to move vertically downward. From the opened position, the protrusion 128 moves upward toward the intermediate landing 140, translating along the second ramp 138, causing the upper portion 124 of the hinge 122 and the door 116 to move vertically upwards.

[0061] In alternative embodiments, one of the ramps 136, 138 may be omitted. For instance, the upper surface 132 may only include the ramp 136 to bias the door 116 towards the closed position. It is contemplated that other biasing mechanisms may be used in other embodiments to bias the door 116 towards the opened and/or closed positions.

[0062] To hold the door 116, 118 in the opened position, the lower portion 126 of the hinge 122 defines a trough 142 positioned at the end of the second ramp 138. The trough 142 is sized to receive and retain the protrusion 128. As a result, when the door 116, 118 is in the opened position, the protrusion 128 is received in the trough 142, preventing the door 116, 118 from unintentionally moving to the closed position. To move the door 116, 118 to the closed position, the door 116, 118 needs to be first lifted upwards, such that the protrusion 128 clears an upper ridge of the trough 142, to reach the intermediate landing 140, prior to pivoting the door 116, 118 towards the closed position.

[0063] As mentioned above, the front wall 104 includes a handrail 108 extending across the upper edge. That is, each door 116, 118 includes a handrail 108 extending across its upper edge. The handrail 108 includes a projection 146 projecting downwards from a bottom surface of the handrail 108 (as depicted in FIGS. 7 and 12). The projection 146 defines an opening 148 configured to engage with a locking handle 144, which is described in detail below.

[0064] With reference to FIGS. 11 to 13, the boat 10 includes two brackets 143 configured to engage the projection 146 of the handrail 108. Each bracket 143 is positioned between the intermediate wall section 114 and one of the doors 116, 118. Specifically, a first bracket 143 is positioned between the intermediate wall section 114 and the left door 116. Similarly, a second bracket 143 is positioned between the intermediate wall section 114 and the right door 118. In the present embodiment, the brackets 143 are connected to the left and the right posts 115 respectively. However, it is contemplated that the brackets 143 may be connected to the doors 116, 118. The brackets 143 have similar configurations, and therefore, for clarity, only a single bracket 143 which engages the projection 146 of the handrail 108 of the left door 116 will be described.

[0065] The bracket 143 defines a groove 150 configured to receive the projection 146 of the handrail 108 when the door 116 is in the closed position. As a result, to move the door 116 from the closed position to the opened position, the passenger is required to lift the door 116 upwards, clearing a lip 151 of the groove 150, prior to pivoting the door 116 towards the opened position. The bracket 143 further includes a slope 152 that slopes downwards away from the lip 151 to facilitate guiding the projection 146 into and out of the groove 150. It is contemplated that, in some embodiments, the slope 152 may be omitted. The bracket 143 further defines an opening 153 which is configured to engage with the locking handle 144, which is described in detail below.

[0066] As mentioned above, the boat 10 includes two locking handles 144 to lock the doors 116, 118 in the closed position by preventing the projection 146 from being raised out of the groove 150. It is contemplated that, in other embodiments, any number of locking handles 144 may be implemented. Each locking handle 144 is positioned between the intermediate wall section 114 and one of the doors 116, 118. Specifically, one locking handle 144 is positioned in between the intermediate wall section 114 and the left door 116. Similarly, the other locking handle 144 is positioned in between the intermediate wall section 114 and the right door 118. In this embodiment, the locking handles 144 are connected to each of the posts 115 respectively. However, in alternative embodiments, the locking handles 144 may be connected to the doors 116, 118. It is noted that the locking handles 144 have similar configurations. Thus, for clarity, only the locking handle 144 positioned between the intermediate wall section 114 and the left door 116 will be described.

[0067] With continued reference to FIGS. 11 to 13, the locking handle 144 includes a handle 154 and a pin 156 operatively connected to the handle 154. Upon actuation of the handle 154, such as pulling of the handle 154, the pin 156 moves from an extended position (as depicted in FIGS. 12 and 13) to a retracted position (not shown). In this embodiment, the pin 156 is biased towards the extended position. In some embodiments, the pin 156 may be spring-loaded (not depicted).

[0068] When the pin 156 is in the extended position and the door 116 is in the closed position, the pin 156 is received in the opening 153 of the bracket 143 and the opening 148 of the projection 146. As a result, the pin 156 interferes with the upward movement of the door 116, preventing the projection 146 from clearing the lip 151 of the groove 150. As a result, the door 116 is locked in the closed position, and prevented from opening unintentionally. To release the door 116 the handle 154 is pulled inwards, towards the interior of the boat 10. Consequently, the pin 156 moves to the retracted position where it is withdrawn from the opening 148. This enables upward movement of the door 116, allowing the projection 146 to clear the lip 151. As a result, the door 116 can be pivoted outwards to the opened position.

[0069] In alternative embodiments, any number and combination of hinges 122 and/or locking handles 144 may be implemented. For example, in some cases, the trough 142 of the hinges 122 may be omitted, and instead locking handles 144 may be used to hold the doors 116, 118 in both the opened and closed positions. Alternatively, in other instances, the locking handles 144 may be omitted, and instead there may be troughs 142 positioned at the end of the first ramp 136 and the second ramp 138 to retain the doors 116, 118 in both the opened and closed positions. It is further contemplated that other retention mechanism may be used, such as a catch, a lever, etc. to hold the doors 116, 118 in the opened and closed positions.

[0070] Although the hinges 122 and the locking handles 144 have been described for the doors 116, 118, the hinges 122 and the locking handles 144 may be implemented for the intermediate door 117. However, it is contemplated that other biasing and/or retaining mechanisms may be used for the intermediate door 117.

[0071] Modifications and improvements to the above-described embodiments of the present technology may become apparent to those skilled in the art. The foregoing description is intended to be exemplary rather than limiting.