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Hardtop structure for boats and method for making same

a technology for hardtop structures and boats, applied in the field of hardtop structures for boats and methods for making same, can solve the problems of extreme labor and finishing edges of construction types, and achieve the effect of enhancing the aesthetic appearan

Inactive Publication Date: 2007-12-13
TULL R STEVENS
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] A hardtop for a boat includes a peripheral frame and a panel sized and shaped so as to cover a central opening in the frame. An inboard portion of the frame is provided with receiving means, such as a notch or pocket, for receiving a peripheral edge of the panel such that an exterior surface of the panel is substantially flush with an upper edge of the frame in close proximity thereto. Even if the frame is made from a plurality of tubular elements, the hardtop has the appearance of a one-piece (i.e., seamless) structure. In addition, the hardtop has clean (i.e., trim) edges which further enhance its aesthetic appearance.

Problems solved by technology

This type of construction is extremely labor intensive and as a result a hardtop for a small 25-26 foot boat will sell for $5-6,000 going up to $30,000 for boats in the 50-60 foot range.
One of the difficulties with this construction is finishing the edge in a manner that looks professionally fabricated and not “homemade”.

Method used

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  • Hardtop structure for boats and method for making same
  • Hardtop structure for boats and method for making same
  • Hardtop structure for boats and method for making same

Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0016] Although the present invention can be used in many different locations on a boat or the like, it is particularly suitable for use in connection with a boat's operator station. Accordingly, the present invention will be described hereinafter in connection with such a station. It should be understood, however, that the following description is only meant to be illustrative of the present invention and is not meant to limit the scope of the present invention, which has applicability to other areas of a boat, such as its after-deck and / or its cockpit.

[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, a hardtop 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention is mounted on a boat 12 above an operator station 14. The hardtop 10 sits atop a deck-mounted support structure 16, such as the one disclosed in Tull U.S. Pat. No. 6,725,799, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference.

[0018] With continued reference to FIG. 1, the hardtop 10 includes a generally rectangular frame 18, which delimi...

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PUM

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Abstract

A multi-component hardtop is adapted for mounting above an operator station of a boat or the like. The hardtop includes a tubular frame which is provided with a self-trimming edge adapted to mount a sheet-like panel in a substantially flush orientation relative to an upper or lower edge of the frame.

Description

PRIORITY [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 019,704, filed Dec. 22, 2004, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 532,794 filed Dec. 23, 2003, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention is directed to the field of structures that are added to the top surface of boats. Generally the structures are located over the “bridge deck” area of the boat, typically encompassing the operator station of the boat. These structures are used to support a cover to provide shade and weather protection over the operator's station as well as to support antennas and other items. These structures with covers are known generally in the art as “hardtops.”[0003] The available “hardtops” or boat covers are fabricated from a cored fiberglass part molded with an inner and outer skin. The fabrication of available hardtops may be performed in a permane...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): B63B17/02
CPCB63B2017/026B63B17/02
Inventor TULL, R. STEVENS
Owner TULL R STEVENS