GB1593254A

GB1593254A - Adjustable open boat cover

Info

Publication number: GB1593254A
Application number: GB3586076A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Witter C P
Current assignee: Witter C P
Priority date: 1977-11-28
Filing date: 1977-11-28
Publication date: 1981-07-15

Description

(54) ADJUSTABLE OPEN BOAT COVER (71) I, COLIN PRESTON WITTER, a British subject of 41 Dee Banks, Chester CH3 5UU, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The invention relates to open boat cover arrangements.

Accordingly the invention provides that a boat comprising a hull and decking with an open part within the decking area, a rigid substantially inflexible cover for closing, preferably lockable, interfitment with edges or edge parts, such as sides, decking or combing, of the open part of the boat, and means for supporting the cover member above and in registration with that open part, say by strut or other support means or members at a convenient height, as a canopy or awning above the level of the open area of the boat, and preferably overlapping that open area.

Such a cover may serve as a lockable lid when lowered from its canopy or awning position, thereby affording considerable protection from theft and vandalism, and is of great practical benefit to boat owners or operators.

The cover member may have a depending flange or flanges as said part or parts of the cover member which flange or flanges is or are to cooperate with combing about said open part, and/or one or more attachments for locking of said cover member to said boat, and/or locations for the support means that is or are also located or locatable relative to said boat.

A particularly convenient application for the invention is to restored steam launches or the like where the canopy normally required to keep soot as well as rain from falling upon passengers is supported on removable, hinged or collapsible struts and is of a solidly but lightly constructed form so as readily to be lowerable to fit about the upstanding deck combing like a box lid and be held by any suitable locking means such as padlocks.

Embodiments of the invention also greatly facilitate transport of the boat with the cover in its lowered position, perhaps especially where the boat is towed when wind resistance is greatly reduced.

Specific implementation of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a launch fitted with a boat cover of this invention in its supported or canopy position; Figure 2 is a plan view of the launch showing the combing over which the cover is to fit; and Figure 3A, 3B and 3C show alternative strut arrangements for canopy support purposes.

In the drawings, a launch 10 has an open passenger or other load carrying substantially central part 12 surrounded by an upstanding combing 14. Figure 1 shows a canopy 16 above and at least slightly overlapping the edges of this combing, being supported by pairs of struts 18 fore and aft of the launch, though similar intermediate struts could also be provided.

The cover 16 is preferably of a light traylike construction so that its depending edges, rims or side-walls will overfit about the combing 14. Alternatively, of course the rims, edges or side-walls may fit inside the combing, preferably with the cover extending beyond those edges or side-walls so as to supportingly engage the upper surface of the combing. It is particularly convenient if locking means, such as padlockable hasp 26 and eye 28 type securing attachments, are built into both the cover or lid and the combing or immediately surrounding decking or sides of the vessel.

Three basic forms of strut 18 are illustrated in Figures 3A, 3B and 3C with similar reference subscripts applied. The first illus trated alternative, is a removable rigid strut 18A cooperating with locating sockets 20 in or adjacent to the combing and in the boat cover or lid. Secondly, there is shown a hinged strut 1 8B that interfits into a socket 22 of the boat cover or lid but is pivotted at 24 to or adjacent to the combing, preferably with brace or other type of positionable locking means to ensure that the boat cover or lid will be positively supported and located until the need or desire arises to lower it.

Thirdly, there is shown a knee-jointed strut 1 8C which is pivotted to the boat cover or lid and at or near the combing and has an intermediate hinge. Once again a suitable locking mechnism is preferably included, say a locking sleeve 30 slidable on the upper strut part and over the hinge but then remaining captive on the upper strut part.

It will be realised that the variety of alternative strut linkages can be extended considerably, so long as the basic requirements are satisfied that positive support be supplied for the boat cover or lid in its raised positions and that it is possible to lower the boat cover or lid into engagement with a part of the boat to which it is preferably lockable. Furthermore, a mechanism offering a mechanical advantage may be incorporated for hand raising or lowering of a boat lid or cover of substantial weight. Winches or a jacking mechanism could be suitable and they may be adapted or specifically designed to be power driven, preferably from the prime mover of the boat concerned, say a steam engine for a steam launch or a diesel or other internal combustion engine for a motor launch, or by way of electrical or pressure fluid operated devices driven by such prime movers.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. A boat comprising a hull and decking with an open part within the decking area, a rigid substantially inflexible cover member for closing the open part of a boat, the cover member having a part or parts adapted to interfit with edges or edge parts of said open part as a lid, and means for supporting the cover member above and in registration with the open part as a canopy.

2. A boat according to claim 1, wherein the cover member has a depending flange or flanges as said part or parts of the cover member which flange or flanges is or are to cooperate with combing about said open part.

3. A boat according to claim 2, wherein said flange or flanges fit wholly within said combing.

4. A boat according to claim 3, wherein said flange or flanges fit wholly outside said combing.

5. A boat according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein a said flange is continuous about an edge part of the cover member.

6. A boat according to any preceding claim, wherein said cover member or said part or parts of the cover member have one or more attachments for locking of said cover member to said boat.

7. A boat according to any preceding claim, wherein said cover member has locations for the support means that is or are also located or locatable relative to said boat.

8. A boat according to claim 7, wherein said support means comprises struts.

9. A boat according to claim 8, wherein said canopy has end locating means for each strut.

10. A boat according to claim 9, wherein said end locating means comprises individual strut sockets.

11. A boat according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein each strut is similarly located on the boat at its other end.

12. A boat according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein each strut is hinged or pivotted to the boat at its other end.

13. A boat according to claim 9, wherein each strut is knee-jointed and pivotted at opposite ends to the cover and the boat, respectively.

14. A boat substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. trated alternative, is a removable rigid strut 18A cooperating with locating sockets 20 in or adjacent to the combing and in the boat cover or lid. Secondly, there is shown a hinged strut 1 8B that interfits into a socket 22 of the boat cover or lid but is pivotted at 24 to or adjacent to the combing, preferably with brace or other type of positionable locking means to ensure that the boat cover or lid will be positively supported and located until the need or desire arises to lower it. Thirdly, there is shown a knee-jointed strut 1 8C which is pivotted to the boat cover or lid and at or near the combing and has an intermediate hinge. Once again a suitable locking mechnism is preferably included, say a locking sleeve 30 slidable on the upper strut part and over the hinge but then remaining captive on the upper strut part. It will be realised that the variety of alternative strut linkages can be extended considerably, so long as the basic requirements are satisfied that positive support be supplied for the boat cover or lid in its raised positions and that it is possible to lower the boat cover or lid into engagement with a part of the boat to which it is preferably lockable. Furthermore, a mechanism offering a mechanical advantage may be incorporated for hand raising or lowering of a boat lid or cover of substantial weight. Winches or a jacking mechanism could be suitable and they may be adapted or specifically designed to be power driven, preferably from the prime mover of the boat concerned, say a steam engine for a steam launch or a diesel or other internal combustion engine for a motor launch, or by way of electrical or pressure fluid operated devices driven by such prime movers. WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. A boat comprising a hull and decking with an open part within the decking area, a rigid substantially inflexible cover member for closing the open part of a boat, the cover member having a part or parts adapted to interfit with edges or edge parts of said open part as a lid, and means for supporting the cover member above and in registration with the open part as a canopy.

8. A boat according to claim 7, wherein said support means comprises struts.