PoleSox

Abstract

A protective cover and method of use thereof, used to reduce noise and wear as a result of contact of a boat against a piling, pole, or bumper of an associated boat lift. The cover is similar to a sock in structure and can be made from flexible fabrics or other flexible polymeric materials that are water proof or water impermeable. These materials can be decorative in nature with eye friendly indicia printed thereon. The protective cover can be made of UV resistant materials to reduce degradation under normal to extreme UV exposure and be made of materials that have sound dampening or sound absorbing characteristics, but have sound suppression or noise reduction properties that when rubbed against produce substantially low sound levels. In use, the protective cover is placed over a piling or vertical pole of a boat lift. The protective cover is preferably sized to engage and encapsulate that portion of the piling that is above the surface of the water and most likely to come into contact with the boat hull. After placement on the piling, the protective cover is firmly secured to the piling by suitable fastening members.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention generally relates to lifting devices for boats. More specifically, the invention pertains to protective covers used to reduce noise and wear as a result of contact of a boat against a piling or bumper of an associated boat lift.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. The Field of the Invention[0003]Boat lifts have been in existence for quite some time. Many boat owners that live adjacent lakes, rivers, or harbors, tend to keep their boats moored in water as a matter of convenience. However, in saltwater, marine organisms may foul the hull of boats, and in fresh or saltwater, the wakes of passing boats, high winds, and storm or tidal surges can create unwanted movement of a docked vessel. Consequently, the use of a boat lift reduces the damage and wear a boat can sustain as a result of these undesirable and adverse conditions.[0004]Boat lifts typically have vertical poles that function as retaining bumpers or fenders. These poles are also common...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]The PoleSox is closed at its top by circular pieces of fabric and open at the opposite end to slip over pilings, poles, and associated structure of the boat lift. This forms a tube that can be firmly secured to the boat lift pilings during normal use and easily removed for repair, replacement, or cleaning. The PoleSox ideally is placed and secured to a respective piling prior to a boat being placed on a lift. The PoleSox is first firmly secured to the associated piling / pole to prevent it from slipping off during engagement with the hull of the boat. Once the boat has been placed on the lift and placed in the water, adjustments to the PoleSox can be immediately made to insure that it will not be unintentionally removed from the piling or pilings. Further, appropriate length assessments of the PoleSox can be made based upon the length of piling that is above or below the water surface relative to the height of the boat that extends above the water surface or the section of boat hull most likely to engage one of the pilings. After optimum locations and desired lengths of the PoleSox have been determined, a user of the water docked boat may now enjoy peace and quiet at more tolerable noise levels now that the PoleSox has been installed, and thus reducing the high pitched undesirable sounds, i.e., squeaking or squealing, associated with the rubbing or engagement of a boat hull against a piling, bumper, or other structural member of a boat lift,

[0011]The PoleSox offers a low cost, low maintenance, low stress means for actively enjoying boat life at marinas or wherever a boat lover may have his or her serenity interrupted by unwanted and unsolicited noises associated with boat hulls rubbing up against pilings.

Problems solved by technology

Johnson—420 fails to address noise concerns relative to wave movement impacted upon a boat that in turn rubs against any of the pilings or bumpers.

None of the aforementioned prior art of record addresses the utility of a noise suppression cover or sock that reduces or eliminates undesirable noises and sound levels associated with boats rubbing up against boat lift pilings.

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