US20240149983A1

US20240149983A1 - Shade assembly for personal watercraft

Info

Publication number: US20240149983A1
Application number: US18/504,002
Authority: US
Inventors: Andrew Marchman; Brian Johnson
Original assignee: Yamaha Motor Corp USA
Current assignee: Yamaha Motor Corp USA
Priority date: 2022-11-09
Filing date: 2023-11-07
Publication date: 2024-05-09

Abstract

A shade assembly for personal watercraft to provide shade for the user from direct exposure of at least some sunlight. The shade assembly comprises a shade top, a front fixing structure, and a rear supporting structure. The shade top is designed to be attached to the front fixing structure and the rear supporting structure to create a shade that extends over the user. The front fixing structure comprises two or more fasteners to securely attach the shade top to the steering control handle or two or more supporting pillars, while the rear supporting structure comprises two or more supporting pillars to be fixed on the aft side of the personal watercraft. This shade assembly provides a simple and efficient solution to protect the user of personal watercraft from harmful sun exposure.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of the U.S. provisional patent application, Application No. 63/382,962, filed on Nov. 9, 2022, and entitled “SHADE FOR PERSONAL WATERCRAFT”, which is also hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates to a shade assembly for personal watercraft. Additionally, the disclosure relates to personal watercraft with a shade assembly. More specifically, it relates to a detachable shade assembly for deployment in personal watercraft.
A personal watercraft is a popular watercraft mainly used for recreational purposes. One style of personal watercraft is the runabout of “sit down,” where one or more riders sit on a seat installed on the upper deck of the personal watercraft.
A driver of a personal watercraft uses a motorcycle-like steering control handle to control the direction and speed of the personal watercraft. A throttle lever attached to the handle controls the rotational speed of an inboard motor that crates water jet thrust for propulsion via a screw-shaped impeller installed in a water channel submerged under water. An angular change of the handle corresponds to an angular change of a steering nozzle that changes the direction of the water jet thrust for turning the propulsion angle of the personal watercraft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic illustration of a personal watercraft for use in deploying a shade assembly according to the present application.

FIG. 2 illustrates an image of a personal watercraft including a shade assembly in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the present application.

FIG. 3 is an image of a rear portion of a personal watercraft for use in illustrating the rear location attachment points for the pole assemblies of a shade assembly in accordance with embodiments of the present application.

FIG. 4A is a side view illustrating a base hole for receiving pole assemblies of a shade assembly in accordance with embodiments of the present application.

FIG. 4B is a bottom perspective view illustrating a base hole for receiving pole assemblies of a shade assembly in accordance with embodiments of the present application.

FIG. 4C illustrates a sectional view illustrating a base hole for receiving pole assemblies of a shade assembly in accordance with embodiments of the present application.

FIG. 5A illustrates a partial top plan view of a rear portion of an embodiment of a shade top for utilization in a shade assembly in accordance with aspects of the present application.

FIG. 5B illustrates a partial front bottom plan view of a front portion of one of the embodiments of a shade top for utilization in a shade assembly in accordance with aspects of the present application.

FIG. 6A illustrates an embodiment of a pole assembly in an extended position.

FIG. 6B illustrates an embodiment of a connector for an assembled state for the pole assemblies.

FIG. 6C illustrates an embodiment of the poles with the smaller outer diameter metal pipe shown in silver metric color with a black larger inner diameter outer sleeve pipe pole.

FIG. 7 illustrates an image of an underside/bottom surface of the shade top with two pole assemblies.

FIG. 8A illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a pillar cap.

FIG. 8B illustrates an A-A sectional diagram of the pillar cap functioning as a mounting assembly for the pole assemblies for the shade top.

FIG. 8C illustrates an A-A sectional diagram of the pillar cap with a stopper pin and a portion of the pole assembly.

FIG. 8D illustrates another embodiment of a stopper pin attached to the pole assembly.

FIG. 9 illustrates an image of an underside/bottom surface of the shade top with two pole assemblies including pockets for guidance of pole assemblies.

FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment of a left tube support part.

FIG. 11 illustrates another embodiment of a right tube support part.

FIG. 12 illustrates a partial bottom view of the right tube support part attached to a personal watercraft.

FIG. 13 illustrates a partial bottom view of the right and left tube support parts attached to the personal watercraft.

FIG. 14 illustrates a partial top view of the right and left tube support parts attached to the personal watercraft.

FIG. 15 illustrates a rear view of the right and left tube support parts attached to the personal watercraft.

FIG. 16 illustrates a partial left side view of the left tube support parts attached to the personal watercraft.

FIG. 17 illustrates a side view of the left tube support part attached to the personal watercraft.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Generally described, aspects of the present application correspond to accessories for a personal watercraft. More specifically, one or more aspects of the present application correspond to a structure that is mountable on a personal watercraft. The structure is illustratively mounted on a personal watercraft in a manner that allows for at least one rider/user to be seated on the personal watercraft while the structure is fully deployed. The structure can be generally referred to as a “tent structure,” “shade,” or “shade assembly” for purposes simplicity. Additionally, in some embodiments, at least some portion of the shade assembly can be mounted in a manner to mitigate or discourage the operation of the personal watercraft while the shade assembly is fully deployed.
Aspects of the present application disclosed herein are described below in the context of accessories for personal watercraft as having particular utility in this context. However, one or more aspects disclosed herein are applicable to other contexts as well. Further, one or more aspects of the present application relate to an illustrative personal watercraft embodiment for mounting and deploying a shade assembly. Specifically, in one embodiment, personal watercraft the personal watercraft can include a personal watercraft having an additional a deck extender accessory as discussed and described herein. An exemplary disclosure of such personal watercraft is disclosed in United States Patent Application Publication No. US 2021/0371056 A1 and entitled “DECK EXTENDER FOR WATERCRAFT,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. However, such personal watercraft configuration is illustrative in nature and one or more aspects of the present application should not be limited to any particular configuration of personal watercraft, including whether such personal watercraft includes a deck extender accessory or relevant portions of mounting mechanisms may be considered integrated in a personal watercraft without need for additional accessories.
By way of general reference, FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic illustration of a personal watercraft 1. As shown in FIG. 1 , the personal watercraft 1 further includes an engine 6 and a jet pump 7. The engine 6 is disposed inside the hull 2. The jet pump 7 is disposed at the rear portion of the hull 2. The engine 6 is disposed forward relative to the jet pump 7. The seat 4 is disposed above the engine 6. The deck 3 includes a platform 8 disposed at the stern of the personal watercraft 1. The platform 8 slopes gently downwardly, away from the seat 4 and toward the waterline. The jet pump 7 is disposed below the platform 8. The jet pump 7 is driven by the engine 6.
With continued reference to FIG. 1 , the personal watercraft 1 is illustrated in a stationary state floating in water, and due to its buoyancy, to a depth shown relative to the waterline. The depth at which the personal watercraft 1 reaches beneath the waterline depends on the total weight and the volume of water displaced by the hull of the personal watercraft 1. As noted above, the platform 8 which forms a rear deck of the personal watercraft 1, slopes gently away from the seat 4 and toward the waterline W.
In accordance with some embodiments, the deck extender 100 can be configured such that its upper surface 120 extends generally parallel to the waterline when the personal watercraft 1 is at rest and floating in water. In some embodiments, the upper support surface 120 of the deck extender 100 is not perfectly parallel with the waterline, however, may be closer to parallel with the waterline than the surface of the platform 8. The deck extender 100 includes accessory mounting rails that can be configured for adjustably mounting accessories to the deck member. In some embodiments, the deck extender 100 may be integrated a kit that is disposed on the deck 8 of the personal watercraft 1. In other embodiments, the deck extender 100 may be integrated (in whole or in part) with the deck 8 or other body portions of the personal watercraft 1. Still further, in some embodiments, the personal watercraft 1 may not include a deck extender 100, such as the embodiments described below in with regard to FIGS. 13-17 . Accordingly, reference to a personal watercraft as described herein should not be interpreted as requiring any particular feature (as illustrated in FIG. 1 ), including the deck extender 100.
FIG. 2 illustrates an image of a portion of a personal watercraft 1 including a shade assembly 201 in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the present application. Illustratively, the shade assembly 201 can include a plurality of components or sub-parts (as described herein) that facilitate deployment of the shade assembly when mounted on a personal watercraft 1. The shade assembly 201 can disposed on the personal watercraft 1 via attachment points in a forward location and rear location of the personal watercraft.
As further described below, the shade assembly 201 includes a rear supporting structure that can be in the form of two pillar assemblies (or supporting poles) 203, 205 that extend upwardly from the rear mounting location of the personal watercraft. The two pillar assemblies 203, 205 are illustratively of equal length and connect to a fabric top or shad top 207 of the shade assembly 201. Each of the pillar assemblies 203, 205 has two pole sub-assemblies with different diameters so that an upper pole 213 can be slotted into a lower pole 215. Additionally, in some embodiments, the total length of the individual pillar assemblies 203, 205 may be variable based on adjustment of the upper pole 213 to the lower pole 215 sub-assemblies. Such adjustments may be manual or automated in various embodiments. Additionally, the individual variability of the pillar assemblies 203, 205 can result in different lengths for the pillar assemblies, which may place the shade top 207 at various angles (relative to the personal watercraft). Illustratively, the length of the pillar assemblies 203, 205 may be fixed by a locking mechanism 221, such as clutch locks, split collar locks, cam locks, shock cord, spring button, snap locks, set knobs, set screws and the like.
Illustratively, the shade top 207 may be made of fabric material, including any number of knitted or woven materials, such as tightly woven, high-density polyethylene fabric (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or nylon fabric. The shade assembly 201 further includes two cross members or pole assemblies 209, 211 that support the shade top 207 upwardly.
The shade assembly 201 further includes two pole assemblies that provide additional support for the shade top 207. Illustratively in some embodiment, the two pole assemblies are configured to cross and will be referred to as pole assemblies 209, 211. Each individual cross pole assembly 209, 211 may individually include a plurality of sub-assemblies. The sub-assemblies for the cross poll assemblies 209, 211 may also be fixed by a locking mechanism, such as clutch locks, split collar locks, cam locks, shock cord, spring button, snap locks, set knobs, set screws and the like. In other embodiments, the pole assemblies may be configured in a manner to provide support for the shade top 207 without crossing, such as running along respective edges of the shade top 207. Accordingly, reference to cross pole assemblies or an individual cross pole assembly should be considered to be general to different implementations of a pole assembly, regardless of whether two or more pole assemblies are configured in a cross arrangements.
The shade assembly further incorporates a front supporting structure 220 that that can be in the form of material configured to attach the shade top to a fore side of the personal watercraft, such as a steering control handle 5 of the personal watercraft 1. Generally, the front supporting structure 220 is configured with two or more fasteners (e.g., loop fasteners) that attach the shade top to a steering control handle of the personal watercraft 1. As will be described in detail below, the front supporting structure 220 can be in the form of loops that can be detachably coupled to the steering control handle 5. In other embodiments, the front supporting structure 220 can also incorporate additional pole assemblies (not illustrated) that attach to the personal watercraft 1 and project the front portion of the shade 207 higher. For example, in some embodiments, one or more of the pole assemblies may be disposed or mounted on the deck portion or gunwale of the personal watercraft 1.
FIG. 3 is an image of a rear portion of an embodiment of a personal watercraft 1 with a deck extender 100 for use in illustrating the rear location attachment points for the pole assemblies 203, 205 of a shade assembly 201. As illustrated in FIG. 3 , in this embodiment, the deck extender 100 of the personal watercraft 1 includes a pair of metal base plates 303, 305. By way of illustrative example, the metal base plates 303, 305 may be part of a deck extender 1000 mounted on the personal watercraft 1. In other embodiments, the metal base plates 303, 305 may be integrated directly into the personal watercraft 1 or otherwise mounted to the personal watercraft. The base plate 303, 305 may be constructed of aluminum, stainless steel, injection molded plastic, or fiber-reinforced plastic that is resistant to rust. The base plate 303, 305 may be mounted (permanently or non-permanently) to the personal watercraft 1 (through the deck extender accessory 301) via the screws 307, 309, 311 or other types of mounting structures, such as rivets, bolts, adhesives, and the like.
Illustratively, each base plate 303, 305 has a cylindrically reinforced base hole 401 that is receives at least a portion of the pole assemblies 203, 205 of the shade assembly 201. As described below, the base hole 401 is configured to receive the lower sub-assembly 215 in manner that the pole assembly is temporarily fixed to the base plate 303, 305 (e.g., an anchor point for the pole assemblies). For example, the base hole 401 may be configured such that the lower sub-assembly 215, once fixed to the base hole 401, is not allowed to have substantial downward vertical movement or lateral movement, relative to the personal watercraft 1. By way of example, the base hole 401 has a cylindrical shape.
With reference now to FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C embodiments of portions of the base plate will be described. Illustratively, the base plates may be constructed or otherwise be configured to have multiple plate sections. As illustrated in FIG. 4A, to accommodate an extendable supporting pillar assembly 203, 205, one distinctive plate sections is folded by an angle relative to the horizon (positive or negative). By way of illustrative example, the angle may be of approximately 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 or 35 degrees, although additional increments and angular values may be also be incorporated. The end points of the sub-assemblies of the supporting pillar assemblies 203, 205 become stern mounting points. With reference now to FIGS. 4B and 4C, the end portion 403 of the base hole 401 is capped with a ring portion 405. Illustratively, an inner diameter of the ring part 406 forms a hole 403 having a diameter that is smaller than an outer diameter of the lower sub-assembly pole 215 (FIG. 2 ) that is inserted in the cylindrical reinforced base hole 401. The ring portion 405 stops supporting the end of inserted supporting pillar assembly 203, 205 while draining out unnecessary water that comes into the cylindrically-shaped base hole 401. In other embodiments, the end portion 403 may be solid to create a solid end cap to the base hole 401. The reinforced base holes 401 define the two stern mounting points. The distance of engagement of the pillar assemblies 203, 205 with the shade assembly 201 becomes wider than the distance between positions of the holes 401 due to the angle of the folded base plates 303, 305 (e.g., a 25-degree angle).
As previously described with regard to FIG. 2 , the two pillar assemblies 203, 205 can be of equal length when the shade top 207 is deployed on the personal watercraft. Individual length of the pillar assembly 203, 205 can be adjusted based on the orientation of the sub-assemblies, which can be adjusted along a longitudinal axis For example, in one embodiment, such as for transportation of the supporting pillar assemblies 203, 205, the sub-assemblies can be oriented in the shortest length (approximately half of the total length of the pillar assembly 203, 205). In one or more embodiments, the height of the pillar assemblies 203, 205 may be adjustable when the shade is deployed, which will adjust the maximum height of the shade top 207. In these embodiments, the pillar assemblies 203, 205 may include additional markings or include additional physical structures, such as spring loaded fasteners, that allow for consistent adjustment of the pillar length.
FIG. 5A illustrates a partial top plan view of a rear portion 509 of an embodiment of a shade top 207 for utilization in a shade assembly 201 in accordance with aspects of the present application. The rear portion 509 of the shade top 207 includes support pinholes 501, 503 in the shade top, as seen in FIG. 5A. The support pinholes 501, 503 are located at opposite sides (laterally) of the rear portion 509 of the shade top 207. The pinholes 501, 503 are preferably reinforced by metal parts and located close to the two corners of the shade top 207. Illustratively, the top ends of the pillar assemblies 203, 205 are configured in manner to engage the pinholes 501, 503. The shade top 207 and pillar assemblies 203, 205 may also include additional mounting mechanisms for affixing the individual pillars to the shade top (not shown). One embodiment is to add a cap with a screw hole that engages with a screw threaded to the supporting pin (not shown), like an umbrella top. Additional snaps, fasteners, etc. may also be utilized.
FIG. 5B illustrates a partial front bottom plan view of a front portion 507 of one of the embodiments of a shade top 207 for utilization in a shade assembly 201 in accordance with aspects of the present application. The front portion 507 includes the front supporting structure 220 (FIG. 2 ) that includes two fasteners in the form of two loops 501, 503 that extend from an edge of the front portion 507. Illustratively, the loops 501, 503 may be integrated with the shade top 207, either as part of the same material or otherwise bonded/sewn to the shade top 207. Alternatively, the front supporting structure 220 (e.g., loops 501, 503) may be removably attachable to the shade top 207, such as via a zipper, snaps or other mechanism. Illustratively, the loops 501, 503 can be disposed or attached to the fore side of the personal watercraft 1, such as around the end of the steering handles by sliding the ends of the steering handle through the loops. In other embodiments, the loops 501, 503, may incorporate some form of mechanism, such as ties, snaps, etc. that allow for the loops to be wrapped around the steering mechanism and then secured. Accordingly, based on the attachment of the loops 501, 3053 to the steering handle, the other two ends of the shade top 207 are supported by the right and left ends of the steering control handle 5 of the personal watercraft 1. As such, the right and left ends of the steering control handle 5 define two bow mounting points in this embodiment. The attachment points are illustrated in FIG. 2 (above).
The loops 501, 503 of the front supporting structure 220 may be the same material as fabric or plastic sheet to create a loop gap a little wider than the diameter of the steering control handle end and detachable (open and close) with sewn in Velcro® strips to open and fix the loop accommodating part 501, 503. (Note: “VELCRO® is a registered trademark of Velcro IP Holdings LLC.) The loops 501, 503 may also be ties or other types of fasteners and can depend on additional mechanism or attachment points associated with the steering control handle (or other attachment point).
FIG. 6A illustrates an example of cross pole assembly 209, 211 in an extended position. The shade top 207 is supported and formed by a pair of pole assemblies 209, 211 (can be referred to as air tubes). The pole assemblies 209, 211 illustratively correspond to flexible metal or plastic structures that can be extended and mounted on the shade top 207. For assembly, the pole assemblies 209, 211 may be made up of a number of individual pieces that can be configured in a fully assembled form. For example, the pole assemblies 209, 211 can include an elastic line 601 (often referred to as shock cord) covered with cloth (shown in FIG. 6C) that can be inserted into the pole assembly components and provides a tension force that helps keep the assembled pole assembly components together. The elastic line 601 also allows for the separation of the pole assembly components, which can be foldable before the deployment of the pole assembly 209, 211. Both ends of the elastic line can be tied to create knots so as not to come off through the poles.
FIG. 6B illustrates a connector 603 and pole portions 605, 607 forming an assembled state for the pole assemblies 209, 211. Two pole portions 605, 607 can fit together into the inside the through hole of the connector 603. Alternatively, the two poles 605, 607 can fit together without the connector by shaving the outer diameter of one end of a pole and shaving the inner diameter of the other pole (as shown in FIG. 6C). Illustratively, the pole portions 605, 607 may be of a rigid material such as aluminum. To facilitate interlocking (in some embodiments), the inner diameter of one end of one pole can be expanded to be bigger than the outer diameter of the other pole to achieve the same engagement of the pole ends without a separate connector. FIG. 6C illustrates one of the embodiments of the poles with the smaller outer diameter pole portion 605 with a larger inner diameter outer pole portion 607.
FIG. 7 is an image of an underside/bottom surface of the shade top 207 with two pillar assemblies 203, 205 and two cross pole assemblies 209, 211. In this embodiment, the two cross pole assemblies 209, 211, cross diagonally across the shade top 207. Illustratively, the cross pole assemblies 209, 211 each connect at one end of the shade top corresponding to the connection point 701, 703 for the pole assemblies 209, 211, respectively. The other ends of the cross pole assemblies 209, 211 are detachably and securely fixed to end pockets 715, 717 fixed to the shade top 207 as shown. The cross pole assemblies 209, 211 may have a common mounting point or an integrated mounting point/structure utilized by the two pillars to connect to the shade top 207. As shown in the figure, pillar caps 711, 713 are on the top of the pillar assemblies 203, 205 functioning as the integrated mounting point/structure. Alternatively, the cross pole assemblies 209, 211 may have separate mounting positions/structures adjacent to the mounting structures/points for the two pillars.
As illustrated in FIG. 7 , in one embodiment that two cross pole assemblies 209, 211 are configured in a cross-configurations. In this regard, the two cross pole assemblies 209, 211 meet at a crossing point 705, which can also be referred to as a pole hub. The crossing point 705 of the cross pole assemblies 209, 211 is illustratively not equidistant along a length of shade top 207 (defined in parallel with the personal watercraft length), such that the two cross pole assemblies 209, 211 cross closer to a front edge 507 of the shade top 207 compares to the rear edge 509 of the shade top 207 (shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, respectively). The distance between the cross point 705 and the edges of the shade top 207 may be referred to as the crossing point offset.
Additionally, the crossing point 705 of the cross pole assemblies 209, 211 is illustrative equidistant along a width of the shade top 207 (defined in parallel with the personal watercraft width). In this embodiment, the crossing point offset in combination with the tension provided by the pole assemblies 209, 211 allows for a shifting of the height of the shade (as illustrated in FIG. 2 ) to correspond to the seating area of the personal watercraft that is located rearward of the center point of the personal watercraft. As also illustrated in FIG. 7 , the two pillar assemblies 501, 503 may be mounted to the shade top 207 via mounting hardware built into the shade top 207. These mounting structures are illustratively not located on the front edge of the shade top 207.
FIGS. 8A-8B illustrate an example of a structure of a pillar cap 711. FIG. 8A illustrates a side view of a pillar cap 711 that has a through hole 801 in the middle FIG. 8B illustrates a A-A sectional diagram of the pillar cap 711 functioning as a mounting assembly for the pole assemblies 209, 211 for the shade top 207. In this embodiment, the pole assembly 209, 211 is fixed to the pillar cap 711 attached at the end of the supporting pillar or pillar assembly 201, 203.
With reference now to FIG. 8C, the pole assembly 209, 211 can further include a tapered circular end stopper 803 fixed close to the one end so that the cross pole assembly (illustratively pole 211) does not go through the hole 801 by a tension created by bending the pole assembly 501, 503. A metal pin (not shown) to hold the shade top 207 is attached to a pin hold hole 805 on the top portion of the pillar cap 711. The pillar cap 1301 can be made from a molded plastic or rubber material that is strong enough to support the deployed shade top 207. The gap (portion without hatching) in the cross-sectional chart in FIG. 13B is for the inner pipe end of the supporting pillar assembly 201, 203 and the pin (not shown).
Alternatively, any part larger than the hole 801 in the pillar top 807 that can support the tension from the pole assembly 209, 211 can be attached to one end of the pole assemblies 209, 211, as shown in FIG. 8D. As another embodiment, engaging with the pillar cap through hole 811 can be a clip 809, as shown in FIG. 14 . It can be designed as detachable by making the squeezing power to the pole strong enough and adding a pair of slits 811, 813 at the attaching point of the pole corresponding to the clipping location. Otherwise, it can be firmly fixed by welding, adhesive, or other fixing parts to the pole end.
FIG. 9 is an image of an underside/bottom surface of the shade top 207 with two pillar assemblies 203, 205 and two cross pole assemblies 209, 211 (as illustrated in FIG. 7 ) further illustrating the utilization of pockets in the shade top 207. As illustrated in FIG. 9 , in some embodiments, the shade top 207 includes two pockets 901 and 903 that are located opposite of the cross pole assemblies 209, 211 at approximately the cross point 705. The middle pocket 901 creates loop guide between the shade top and the rectangular shape middle pocket 901 to accommodate the pole assemblies 209, 211 in the loop for increase stability. The rectangular-shaped middle pockets 901, 903 are sewn into longer sides of the rectangular to create a loop with the shade top 207. The end and middle pockets 901, 903 are also made of the same material as the shade top 207 and optionally sewn in Velcro® strips to make attachment/detachment of the cross pole assemblies 209, 211 to the shade top 207. In the case of fixed middle pockets 901, the pole assemblies 209, 211 need to go through the loop during the time of the installation to the end pockets 715, 717 and pillar caps 711. In the case of using Velcro® strips, the rectangular-shaped middle pocket 901 is sewn into one of the longer sides of the rectangular and the other longer side of the rectangular is detachable to create loops for accommodating the pole assemblies 209, 211 after their installation by opening and closing the middle pockets 901.
The cross pole assemblies 209, 211 are attached to the shade top 207 with tension to create a dome-like contour shade top 207 or a rounded top. As a result, the space formed above the sheet of personal watercraft and under the shade top 207 becomes broader than a flat top shade. By adding the middle pocket 901, the shade top 207 supported by the pole assemblies 209, 211 becomes more secure and stable. As previously described, in other embodiments, the pole assemblies may not be arranged in a crossing pattern, such as running along the edge of the shade top 207. In those embodiment, the pockets 901, 903 may be disposed on a different location.
As previously described, the shade top 207 is supported by the extendable supporting pillar assemblies 203, 205, the height of a rear portion of the shade top 207 becomes higher than a head of a rider of the personal watercraft. As a result, a rider can comfortably stay under the shade for a long time for fishing or just enjoy floating on the surface of the water, sitting backwardly on the seat of the personal watercraft.
As another embodiment, the front supporting structure 220 can alternatively include a similar pair of supporting pillar assemblies can be deployed at the bow side of the personal watercraft using a similar structure as the cylindrically reinforced base holes used for the stern mounting points. In such a case, the shade top shape can be either rectangular or trapezoidal with a wider upper base. By installing such additional support pillar assemblies, the space under the shade top 207 becomes even broader, and the restriction of the steering control handle can be eliminated so that more than one person can stay under the shade more comfortably for a long time. As previously described, the additional supporting pillar assemblies can be disposed, or mounted on various aspects of the personal watercraft, including the steering handle, deck, gunwale and the like.
While the shade top 207 is useful to block direct sunlight, it is also useful to block other environmental conditions, such as wind, precipitation, noise, and the like. Accordingly, reference in the present application to the term “shade” or “shade top” does not limit the environmental conditions that may be managed or mitigated.
In accordance with additional aspects of the present application, separate fixed or detachable two stern mounting points can be attached to the personal watercraft without using the deck extender, to the extent the points securely support the pillar assemblies 203, 205.
The shade assembly including the shade top 207, supporting pillar assemblies 203, 205, stern mounting points ( metal base plates 303,305 and screws 307, 309, 311 in the case of a watercraft with the deck extender), and poll assemblies 209, 211 can be distributed or sold as a kit with an enclosure box or bag as an aftermarket accessory. Illustratively, the deck extender 100 can be considered to be part of a kit including the shade assembly. Alternatively, the shade assembly may be distributed as a separate kit from the deck extender or can be configured for personal watercraft that may already have portions of the deck extender installed or otherwise have aspects of the deck extender integrated into the personal watercraft.
FIGS. 10-17 illustrates another embodiment of tube support parts to be attached to the personal watercraft and positions attached to the personal watercraft. As another embodiment, the stern mounting points can be realized without the deck extender. FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment of a left tube support part 1001. FIG. 12 illustrates the left tub support part disposed on a personal watercraft 1. FIG. 11 illustrates another embodiment of a right tube support part 1101. Illustratively, the left tube support part 1001 and the right tube support part 1101 have substantially supporting structures 1003, 1103 as the cylindrical reinforced base hole 401, end portion 403, and ring portion 405 of the deck extender accessory 301 to support the pillar assemblies 203, and 205 respectively. The right and left tube support parts 1001, 1101 each has at least three screw holes 1005, 1007, 1009, 1105, 1107, 1109 respectively to be fixed it to the hull of the personal watercraft 1. FIGS. 13-17 illustrate a rearward portion of a personal watercraft 1 with a left tube support part 1101 and right tube support part disposed thereon.
Without limitations, one or more aspects of the present application can have various benefits over existing approaches to shades or with regard to personal watercraft not including any type of shade. In one aspect, the shade may be assembled while the personal watercraft is on the water and without specific need for tool. Specifically, the shade may be deployed so that it can be done without any outside equipment and in various weather or environmental conditions. Still further, the shade is easily stowable on the unit. We designed it so all sections fold up to a size that fits in the front hatch. We are also looking at making a bag for easy storage. Although the embodiments of the present application have been described above, the embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the present application. Such a novel embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and can be omitted, replaced, and changed without departing from the gist of the invention. The embodiment and its modifications are included in the scope and gist of the aspects of the application.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A shade assembly for a personal watercraft comprising:

a shade top;

a front supporting structure comprising two or more fasteners configured to attach the shade top to a steering control handle of the personal watercraft; and

a rear supporting structure comprising two or more supporting pillars assemblies configured to be attached to an aft side of the personal watercraft;

wherein the shade top is configured to be attached to the rear supporting structure and the steering control handle to form a shade that extends over a user of the personal watercraft.

2. The shade assembly according to claim 1, wherein the rear supporting structure include two sub-assemblies, wherein a first sub-assembly has a larger diameter respective to a second sub-assembly, wherein the first and second sub-assemblies are adjustable to adjust total length of the rear supporting structure.

3. The shade assembly according to claim 1, further comprising at least one pole assembly that support the shade top upwardly to extend space under the shade top.

4. The shade assembly according to claim 3, wherein the at least one pole assembly includes two pole assemblies and wherein a crossing point of the two pole assemblies is not equidistant along a length of the shade top.

5. The shade assembly according to claim 4, wherein the crossing point is closer to a front edge of the shade top.

6. The shade assembly according to claim 4, wherein a crossing point of the two pole assemblies is equidistant along a width of the shade top.

7. The shade assembly according to claim 1, wherein the rear supporting structure and the front supporting structure are configured to be detachably attached to the personal watercraft.

8. The shade assembly according to claim 1, wherein a top of the rear supporting structure is attached with a pillar cap that has a through hole accommodating one end of the pole assembly and a recess accommodating a metal pin configured to engage and hold the shade top.

9. A personal watercraft comprising:

a shade top;

a front supporting structure configured to attach the shade top to a fore side of the personal watercraft; and

a rear supporting structure comprising two or more supporting pillars configured to be attached to an aft side of the personal watercraft;

wherein the shade top is configured to be attached to the front supporting structure and the rear supporting structure.

10. The personal watercraft according to claim 9, wherein individual supporting pillars of the rear supporting structure include two sub-assemblies.

11. The personal watercraft according to claim 10, wherein a first sub-assembly has a larger diameter respective to a second sub-assembly, wherein the first and second sub-assemblies are adjustable to adjust total length of the rear supporting pillar.

12. The personal watercraft according to claim 8, further comprising at least one pole assembly that support the shade top upwardly to extend space under the shade top.

13. The personal watercraft according to claim 9, wherein the front supporting structure includes two or more fasteners configured to attach the shade top to a steering control handle of the personal watercraft

14. The personal watercraft according to claim 9, wherein the front supporting structure includes two or more supporting pillars configured to be attached to the fore side of the personal watercraft.

15. The personal watercraft according to claim 9, further comprising a rear deck extender accessory, a pair of metal base plates and screws to attach the metal base plates to a rear deck extender, and each of the base plates has a cylindrically reinforced base hole to accommodate the rear supporting structure.

16. A kit for creating a shade assembly for a personal watercraft comprising:

a shade top;

a front supporting structure comprising means for connecting the shade top to a fore side of the personal watercraft; and

a rear supporting structure comprising means for connecting the shade top to an aft side of the personal watercraft;

wherein the shade top is configured to be attached to the rear supporting structure and the front supporting structure to form a shade.

17. The kit for creating a shade assembly for a personal watercraft according to claim 16, wherein the front supporting structure includes two or more fasteners configured to attach the shade top to a steering control handle of the personal watercraft.

18. The kit for creating a shade assembly for a personal watercraft according to claim 16, wherein the front supporting structure includes two or more supporting pillars configured to be attached to the fore side of the personal watercraft.

19. The kit for creating a shade assembly for a personal watercraft according to claim 16, wherein the rear supporting structure includes two or more supporting pillars configured to be attached to the aft side of the personal watercraft.

20. The kit for creating a shade assembly for a personal watercraft according to claim 16, further comprising at least one pole assembly that supports the shade top upwardly to extend space under the shade top.