US20150136717A1

US20150136717A1 - System for preventing fluid damage to vertically stacked vehicles

Info

Publication number: US20150136717A1
Application number: US14/531,756
Authority: US
Inventors: Stephanie Stephens Serio; Elizabeth Ashley Serio
Original assignee: Total Concept Marine LLC
Current assignee: Total Concept Marine LLC
Priority date: 2013-11-15
Filing date: 2014-11-03
Publication date: 2015-05-21

Abstract

A system for preventing fluid damage to vertically stacked vehicles includes a vehicle storage platform having a first level and a second level. The first level is defined by first level frame members. The first level includes a first vehicle storage surface configured to retain a portion of a vehicle and a left side and a right side opposite the left side of the first level. The vehicle storage platform includes a second level defined by second level frame members with a second vehicle storage surface configured to retain a portion of a vehicle. The second vehicle storage surface is disposed at a position vertically higher than the first vehicle storage surface. The second level includes a left side and a right side opposite the left side of the second level. A debris deflection assembly covers the first vehicle storage surface and deflects debris from entering a vehicle placement zone.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/904639, filed Nov. 1, 2013, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to vehicle storage, and more particularly, relates to a system for preventing fluid damage to vertically stacked vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known that storing a vehicle, e.g., a boat, in a dry storage facility requires lifting and transporting the boat to a storage slip. Many dry storage facilities include several storage racks, i.e., levels, wherein boats are placed one underneath the other in their respective storage slips. One existing problem with this type of storage is the issue of water collection from one boat to another. The additional weight of the water may result in a collapse of the storage rack. A collapse of the storage rack would result in damage to the boats, as well as the building where the storage rack is an integral part of the building. In addition, the collapse would endanger building occupants and safety personnel attempting to remedy the structural collapse.
A major concern with indoor rack storage is protection of the boats and rack structure from fire due to the high flammability of many boat construction materials (e.g., fiberglass, fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) resins, wood, and rubber) combined with the stack configuration. Most boats in dry stacked storage are stored with filled fuel tanks to prevent water vapors from entering. Further, typical warehouse storage creates obstructions to the fire plume that “channels” the heated gases and flames up narrow flue spaces created by the rack structure, shelves and storage commodity. In boat storage configurations flue spaces are not well defined or consistently narrow, and the dimensions can vary significantly. Consequently, the flow of heated gases and flames may not exhibit the known behavior of narrow flue spaces associated with conventional rack storage facilities. In the event of a fire, though sprinkler systems may put out the fire, the sprinkler systems do not address the outcome of water filling the lower racked boats with water. The accumulation of water would create a catastrophic overload and possible collapse of the supporting structure and/or building.
An additional problem presented by dry storage facilities is the issue of oil, gasoline, and the like, dripping from one boat to an adjacent boat. This causes stains in upholstery which is inconvenient and expensive to replace, as well as being aesthetically unappealing. Further, storage facilities typically do not accept responsibility for staining or leakage from other boats.
Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a system for preventing fluid damage to vertically stacked vehicles that overcomes the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and that prevents fluid from leaking off of one vehicle and onto an adjacent vehicle.
With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a system for preventing fluid damage to vertically stacked vehicles having a vehicle storage platform. The vehicle storage platform includes a first level defined by first level frame members and with a first vehicle storage surface configured to retain a portion of a vehicle. The first level includes a left side and a right side opposite the left side of the first level. A second level is defined by second level frame members with a second vehicle storage surface configured to retain a portion of a vehicle and disposed at a position vertically higher than the first vehicle storage surface. The second level includes a left side and a right side opposite the left side of the second level. A first plurality of vertical level support members separates the first level and the second level. A second plurality of vertical level support members separates the first level and the second level. A first horizontal level support member separates the first plurality of vertical level support members and a second horizontal level support member separates the second plurality of vertical level support members. A debris deflection assembly defines a vehicle placement zone. The debris deflection assembly includes a first end, a second end, and an assembly length separating the first and second ends of the debris deflection assembly. A first portion spans in a direction of the assembly length and oriented in a direction toward the second level. The first portion of the debris deflection assembly is coupled to a portion of the second level frame members with at least one fastener. A second portion with a substantially enclosed upper surface spans in a direction of the assembly length, the second portion of the debris deflection assembly is coupled to the first and second plurality of horizontal level support members with at least one fastener to permit the substantially enclosed upper surface of the second portion to extend downwardly from a lower end of the first portion of the debris deflection assembly towards the left and right sides of the first level. The substantially enclosed upper surface of the second portion also covers the first vehicle storage surface and deflects a debris from entering the vehicle placement zone.
In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes a third portion spanning in a direction of the assembly length and extending downwardly from a lower end of the second portion of the debris deflection assembly towards the first level.
In accordance with a further feature of the present invention the substantially enclosed upper surface is of a waterproof material.
In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the substantially enclosed upper surface is of a polymeric material.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a system for preventing fluid damage to vertically stacked vehicles, it is, nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention.
Other features that are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. The figures of the drawings are not drawn to scale.
Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The term “providing” is defined herein in its broadest sense, e.g., bringing/coming into physical existence, making available, and/or supplying to someone or something, in whole or in multiple parts at once or over a period of time.
As used herein, the terms “about” or “approximately” apply to all numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These terms generally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances these terms may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure. In this document, the term “longitudinal” should be understood to mean in a direction corresponding to an elongated direction of the vehicle storage platform.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle storage platform in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a debris deflection assembly defining a vehicle placement zone in accordance with the an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the vehicle storage platform and the debris deflection assembly of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the vehicle storage platform and the debris deflection assembly of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms.
The present invention provides a novel and efficient system for preventing fluid damage to vertically stacked vehicles, especially boats. Although the present invention is described as a system for preventing fluid damage to vertically stacked vehicles, a device for preventing fluid damage to vertically stacked vehicles, and method of using the present system is within the scope of the present invention. Embodiments of the invention provide a vehicle storage platform having a first level and a second level, and a debris deflection assembly defining a vehicle placement zone positioned between the first and second levels. The debris deflection assembly is designed to cover a first vehicle storage surface and deflect debris, e.g., hazardous oil and gasoline, from entering the vehicle placement zone. Said another way, the present invention is designed to prevent liquids, such as bilge drip and diesel soot damage, from leaking off of one vehicle, e.g., boat, to the interior of an adjacent boat below. As a further advantage, embodiments of the present invention prevent the vehicle storage platform from collapsing due to the substantial weight of water accumulating within vehicles stored in the vehicle storage platform. Advantageously, the present invention reduces the possibility of the vehicle storage platform, e.g., dry boat storage facility, collapsing which, as a practical matter, will increase life-safety, reduce environmental hazard, and which provides an economic benefit by reducing the need for replacement and insurable expenses associated with collapsible vehicle storage platforms.
Referring now to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the present invention is shown in a perspective view. FIG. 1 shows several advantageous features of the present invention, but, as will be described below, the invention can be provided in several shapes, sizes, combinations of features and components, and varying numbers and functions of the components. The first example of a system for preventing fluid damage to vertically stacked vehicles 100, as shown in FIG. 1, includes a vehicle storage platform 102. The vehicle storage platform 102 includes a first level 104 defined by a plurality of first level frame members 106. The first level 104 includes a first vehicle storage surface 108 that is designed to retain a portion of a vehicle 110. The term “vehicle” is defined herein as any means by which someone travels or something is carried or conveyed. In a preferred embodiment, the vehicle 110 is a boat. In other embodiments, the vehicle may be an automobile, a motorcycle, or the like. FIG. 1 shows the first level 104 having a left side 112 and a right side 114 located opposite the left side 112 of the first level 104.
The system for preventing fluid damage to vertically stacked vehicles 100 includes a second level 116 defined by a plurality of second level frame members 118. The second level 116 includes a second vehicle storage surface 120 configured to retain a portion of the vehicle 110. The second level 116 is disposed at a position vertically higher than the first vehicle storage surface 104. The second level includes a left side 122 and a right side 124 opposite the left side 122 of the second level 116. FIG. 1 shows the vehicle storage platform 102 having a first plurality of vertical level support members 126 separating the first level 104 and the second level 116. A second plurality of vertical level support members 128 is also shown separating the first level 104 and the second level 116. In one embodiment, the vertical support members 126, 128 are formed as separate components. In other embodiments, the vertical support members 126, 128 may be permanently welded together to form one continuous structural component. The system for preventing fluid damage to vertically stacked vehicles 100 may also include a plurality of non-corrosive cables at attached to the vertical support members 126, 128.
FIG. 1 shows the vehicle storage platform 102 including a first horizontal support member 130 separating the first plurality of vertical support members 126 and a second horizontal support member 132 separating the second plurality of vertical support members 128. In one embodiment, the horizontal support members 130, 132 are formed as separate components. In other embodiments, the horizontal support members 130, 132 may be permanently welded together to form one continuous structural component.
FIG. 1 shows the system for preventing fluid damage to vertically stacked vehicles 100 having a debris deflection assembly 134. The term debris is defined herein as liquid, oil, gasoline, and any other debris commonly associated with an underside of a vehicle 110, especially a boat. In one embodiment, the debris deflection assembly is made of a fire retardant fabric that is compliant with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 701 standard. In one embodiment, the material is a waterproof fabric material. In another embodiment, the material may also be a flexible, antimicrobial material that is incapable of being torn and that is easy to clean. In one embodiment, the material is vinyl. In another embodiment, the material may be a polymeric material. In other embodiments, the material may be another durable material.
The debris deflection assembly 134 defines defining a vehicle placement zone 136. The vehicle placement zone 136 includes a first end 138, a second end 140, and an assembly length 142 separating the first and second ends 138, 140 of the debris deflection assembly 134. The debris deflection assembly 134 includes a first portion 144 spanning in a direction of the assembly length 142. The first portion 144 is shown oriented in a direction toward the first level 104. The first portion 144 of the debris deflection assembly 134 is coupled to a portion 146 of the second level frame members 118 with at least one fastener 148. In one embodiment the fastener 148 is a nickel plated brass fastener. In another embodiment the fastener 148 is a corrosion proof cable attachment. In other embodiments, the fastener 148 is a stainless steel fastener. The fastener 148 may be adjustable to allow horizontal and vertical directional flow of debris toward the left side 112 and the right side 114.
FIG. 2 shows the debris deflection assembly 134 having a second portion 200. The second portion 200 includes a substantially enclosed upper surface 202. The term “substantially enclosed” is defined herein as surrounding at least seventy five percent of the vehicle 110. The substantially enclosed upper surface 202 spans in a direction of the assembly length 142 (as shown in FIG. 1). The second portion 200 of the debris deflection assembly is coupled to the first and second plurality of horizontal support members 130, 132 (as shown in FIG. 1) with at least one fastener 204. In one embodiment the fastener 204 is a nickel plated brass fastener. In another embodiment the fastener 204 is a corrosion proof cable attachment. In other embodiments, the fastener 204 is a stainless steel fastener.
With reference to FIG. 1, in conjunction with FIG. 3, the first and second plurality of horizontal support members 130, 132 and the fastener 204 permit the substantially enclosed upper surface 202 of the second portion 200 to extend downwardly from a lower end 206 of the first portion 144 of the debris deflection assembly 134 towards the left side 112 and the right side 114 of the first level 104. Advantageously, the substantially enclosed upper surface 202 is configured to cover the first vehicle storage surface 108 and deflect a debris from entering the vehicle placement zone 136.
FIG. 4 shows the debris deflection assembly 134 having a third portion 300. The third portion 300 spans in a direction of the assembly length 142 and extends downwardly from a lower end 302 of the second portion 200 of the debris deflection assembly 134 towards the first level 104.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A system for preventing fluid damage to vertically stacked vehicles comprising:

a vehicle storage platform having:

a first level defined by a plurality of first level frame members and with a first vehicle storage surface configured to retain a portion of a vehicle, the first level having a left side and a right side opposite the left side of the first level;

a second level defined by a plurality of second level frame members with a second vehicle storage surface configured to retain a portion of a vehicle and disposed at a position vertically higher than the first vehicle storage surface, the second level having a left side and a right side opposite the left side of the second level;

a first plurality of vertical level support members separating the first level and the second level;

a second plurality of vertical level support members separating the first level and the second level; and

a first horizontal level support member separating the first plurality of vertical level support members and a second horizontal level support member separating the second plurality of vertical level support members; and

a debris deflection assembly defining a vehicle placement zone and having:

a first end, a second end, and an assembly length separating the first and second ends of the debris deflection assembly;

a first portion spanning in a direction of the assembly length and oriented in a direction toward the first level, the first portion of the debris deflection assembly coupled to a portion of the second level frame members with at least one fastener; and

a second portion with a substantially enclosed upper surface spanning in a direction of the assembly length, the second portion of the debris deflection assembly coupled to the first and second horizontal level support members with at least one fastener to permit the substantially enclosed upper surface of the second portion to:

extend downwardly from a lower end of the first portion of the debris deflection assembly towards the left and right sides of the first level;

cover the first vehicle storage surface; and

deflect a debris from entering the vehicle placement zone.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the debris deflection assembly further comprises:

a third portion spanning in a direction of the assembly length and extending downwardly from a lower end of the second portion of the debris deflection assembly towards the first level.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the substantially enclosed upper surface is of a waterproof fabric material.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the substantially enclosed upper surface is of a polymeric material.