Personal Watercraft Enclosure

Abstract

The invention includes devices for covering personal watercraft. In certain aspects, the invention includes retractable cover that can be affixed to a dock for locating personal watercraft. The cover can be configured to open in order to receive the watercraft and can be further configured to close once the watercraft is received onto the dock. The cover can include sufficient room above the watercraft so as to permit an operator room to change his or her clothes when the cover is in its closed position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63 / 625,406, filed Jan. 26, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicable.THE NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

[0003] Not applicable.INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM (EFS-WEB)

[0004] Not applicable.STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINT INVENTOR

[0005] The inventor has not made any prior public disclosure of the inventions disclosed herein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention

[0006] The inventions described herein generally relate to enclosures for personal watercraft, such as water scooters, Jet Skis®, and the like.2. Description of Related Art

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,320 to Murray discloses a convertible top canopy that is pivotally attached to the hull of a multiple seat cruiser jet boat by a simple linage system that consists of three U-shaped lines each of which is attached at the bas of the “U” to the canopy. The canopy is removable from the watercraft by releasing the main link and straps and usable as a cabana or umbrella on the ground by inserting a portion of the main link into the ground.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,904,114 to Wright discloses a collapsible personal watercraft canopy, which when extended, provides protection from the weather and support for the watercraft occupants, and also provides lift when the watercraft is in motion, reducing water resistance and which when closed is folded forward and stored on the forward upper hull surface of the watercraft, thus providing protection from sea spray while remaining attractive.

[0009] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0251195 A1 to Craig discloses a retractable cantilevered watercraft whip mooring system that has a retractable canopy which covers a watercraft while moored to a dock. The canopy is securable relative to an exterior side of the watercraft, enabling the watercraft to be protected during severe weather conditions while the watercraft is attached to the dock.

[0010] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0054981 A1 to Barwick discloses a retractable canopy apparatus for a watercraft. The apparatus has a housing that is supported by a pair of support arms. The housing further includes a retractable cover wound around an elongated rod that can be extended and retracted from a slot in the housing. The retractable canopy apparatus is attached to a watercraft and the extended cover provides a shaded area thereunder for a user to rest. The apparatus is configured to be secured to a side of a watercraft by a fastener, such as a plurality of suction cups, so that a shaded area may be provided to swimmers in an area surrounding the watercraft.

[0011] In view of the background in this area, there remain needs for improved and / or alternative devices for enclosing personal watercraft. The present inventions are addressed to those needs.BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] In one aspect, the invention discloses a personal watercraft enclosure that includes a plurality of ribs, where each rib in the plurality of ribs includes a U-shaped body that extends from a first end to a second end. The personal watercraft enclosure also includes a first retention track, where the first end of each rib is connected to the first retention track so as to permit each rib to move between a first location and a second location. The personal watercraft enclosure also includes a second retention track, where the second end of each rib is connected to the second retention track so as to permit each rib to move between said first location and said second location. The personal watercraft enclosure is configured to provide a semi-circular cross-sectional shape when the plurality of ribs are disposed equidistant from one another. The personal watercraft enclosure also includes a cover which is affixed to each rib and where the cover encloses each U-shaped rib body. The personal watercraft enclosure also includes a first end and a second end, each of which can be opened and closed by moving at least one of the plurality of ribs, and the personal watercraft enclosure is configured to enclose a personal watercraft when the personal watercraft is located within the personal watercraft enclosure.

[0013] In yet another aspect, the invention discloses a personal watercraft enclosure that includes a first end configured to be located near a location for accessing watercraft by foot, a second end configured to be located near water for receiving watercraft, and a cover disposed over a plurality of ribs, where each rib within the plurality of ribs is configured to move between the first end of the personal watercraft enclosure and the second end of the personal watercraft enclosure. The personal watercraft enclosure can be configured for attachment to a dock for receiving a personal watercraft.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative side elevation view of an embodiment of the invention.

[0015] FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative partial side elevation view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1.

[0016] FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative side elevation view of an embodiment of the invention.

[0017] FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative side elevation view of an embodiment of the invention.

[0018] FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative end elevation view of an embodiment of the invention.

[0019] FIG. 6 depicts an upper left perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

[0020] FIG. 7 depicts a side elevation view of an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

[0021] FIG. 8 depicts an upper left perspective view of aspect of an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

[0022] FIG. 9 depicts a side elevation view of an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

[0023] FIG. 10 depicts a top plan view of an illustrative embodiment of the invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to certain embodiments thereof and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations, further modifications and further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

[0025] FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of the invention. As shown, an illustrative personal watercraft enclosure 1 of the invention can be affixed to a dock 5 for a personal watercraft 10. The personal watercraft enclosure 1 can include a cover 15 that is supported by nine (9) ribs 20A-20I, each of which can be curved into a U shape. As shown in FIG. 2, a first end 20BFE to 20IFE of each of the second 20B through nineth ribs 201 can be moveably connected to a first retention track 40A using any suitable means, such as bolts and nuts. The second end 20BSE to 20ISE (not depicted) of each of the second 20B through nineth ribs 20I can be moveably connected to a second retention track 40B (not depicted) using any suitable means, such as bolts and nuts. The second through nineth ribs 20B-20I can therefore move to position the cover 15 from a closed position 50 as is shown in FIG. 3 to an open position 60 as is shown in FIG. 4.

[0026] Turning now to FIG. 6, the first rib 20A can be attached to the first retention track 40A and the second retention track 40B using any suitable means, such as bolts and nuts. The first retention track 40A and second retention track 40B can include means for securing said first retention track 40A and said second retention track 40B to a dock 5. Any suitable retention means can be used such as mounting screws 80A-80D. A third retention track 40C can be located near the center point of the first rib 20A. The third retention track 40C can include a means to for securing the third retention track to a dock 5, such as with a mounting screw 80 E. The third retention track 40C can also include a strap 70 that can extend through a slit (not depicted) in the cover 15 so as to secure the cover 15 to the first rib 20A. In alternative embodiments, the strap 70 can encompass the ribs 20A-20I, so as to hold the ribs 20A-20I (along with the cover 15) when the personal watercraft enclosure 1 is in a fully open position. As illustratively shown in FIG. 8 the strap 70 can include the male portion of a snap 72A that can secure to the female portion of a snap 72B that resides on the third retention track 40C so as to secure the strap 70 to hold the cover 15 in place.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 3, when in the closed position 50, each rib 20A-20I can reside 22.5 degrees from the adjacent rib(s) 20A-201. As also shown in FIG. 3, when the cover 15 is in the closed position 50, the cover can have a height H of approximately 6.5 feet and a length L of approximately 14 feet, although any desirable height H and length L dimensions can be used. As shown in FIG. 5, the personal watercraft enclosure 1 can have a width W of approximately 5 feet, although any desirable width W can be used.

[0028] Illustratively, the personal watercraft enclosure 1 protects the personal watercraft 10 when not in use from exposure to UV rays, dirt, and salt spray which are known to damage the watercraft surface finish and components. The personal watercraft enclosure 1 not only covers a personal watercraft 10 when not in use, it also serves as a cabana for people lounging near the water, protecting them from UV rays while the personal watercraft is being used on the water. Because the personal watercraft enclosure 1 completely encloses the personal watercraft 10, riders who have returned the watercraft 10 into the personal watercraft enclosure 1 can also use the near-private space created inside as a changing room to switch from wet swimwear to dry clothes without the need of searching for a public restroom.

[0029] The ribs 20A-20I can comprise any suitable material, such as aluminum, steel, carbon steel, stainless steel, plastic, fiberglass, and the like. The cover 15 can comprise any suitable material such as premium outdoor fabric and can additionally include vents 100 (depicted in FIG. 7) to reduce the chance of mold or mildew inside the personal watercraft enclosure 1. In alternative the cover 15 can include vents 100 that occupy one or more portions of the cover 15 that reside between certain of the ribs 20A-201, such as for example the portion of the cover 15 that extends between ribs 20A and 20B, as well as the portion of the cover 15 that extends between ribs 20H and 201. The entire personal watercraft enclosure 1 can easily open and close by pulling the front rib forward and backwards, similar to an adjustable canopy on a baby carriage.

[0030] FIG. 9 depicts a side elevation view and FIG. 10 depicts a top plan view of an illustrative personal watercraft enclosure 1 of the invention mounted to a dock 5 with the cover 15 removed. As depicted, the personal watercraft enclosure 1 can be mounted to the dock 5 by securing the first retention track 40A (FIGS. 9 and 10) and the second retention track 40B (FIG. 10) to the dock 5. In this embodiment, the ribs 20A-201 are free to move between a location near the end 5W of the dock 5 that is located in the water and the end 5D of the dock 5 that is located near land or a larger dock structure where the watercraft can be accessed by foot traffic. As depicted in

[0031] FIGS. 9 and 10, the personal watercraft enclosure 1 can include a first strap 130 and a second strap 140 that can be used to secure the end of personal watercraft enclosure 1 nearest the water to the water end 5W of the dock 5.

[0032] Illustratively, a first end 135 of the first strap 135 and a first end 145 (not depicted) of the second strap 140 can be secured to rib 20H such that the straps 130, 140 mirror one other and are disposed on each side of the personal watercraft enclosure 1. The first strap 130 can include a second end 137 and the second strap 140 can include a second end 147 (not depicted), each of which can be secured to the dock 5 in any suitable manner. Illustratively, the second ends 137, 147 of each strap 130, 140 can be secured to the dock 5 by forming two tails 131A, 131B, 141A, 141B in each strap end 137, 147, whereby each such tail 131A, 131B, 141A, 141B includes a grommet for securing the tails 131A 131B, 141A, 141B to the dock 5. Each strap 130, 140 can also include a buckle 130A, 140A (140A not depicted), such as a quick release buckle, for securing each end of each strap 130, 140 together to fix the personal watercraft enclosure 1 in the closed position or to permit the end of the personal watercraft enclosure 1 to open (such was when the buckles 130A, 140A are released or opened). In certain embodiments, the first and second straps 130, 140 and their respective ends and tails can be located inside of the cover 15 of the personal watercraft enclosure 1, and therefore can be accessed from the inside of the cover 15 of the personal watercraft enclosure 1.

[0033] Illustratively, the end of the personal watercraft enclosure 1 that is located nearest land or a larger dock structure can include a third strap 120 for securing the other end of the personal watercraft enclosure 1 to dock end 5D. In certain embodiments, the third strap can include a first end 125 that is secured to rib 20B and / or the portion of the cover 15 that is adjacent to rib 20B. The third strap 120 can also include a second end 127 that can be secured to dock 5 end 5D. In certain embodiments, the second end 127 of the third strap 120 can be secured to the dock end 5D by looping the second end 127 through a hand hold 160 (FIG. 10) in the dock 5 end 5D. The third strap 120 can also include a buckle 120A, such as a quick release buckle, for connecting and releasing the first 125 and second 127 ends of the third strap 120. As depicted, the third strap 120 (and the buckle 120A) can be located on the outside of the cover 15 so as to permit an individual to release the buckle 120A and open the personal watercraft enclosure 1. Once the personal watercraft enclosure 1 is opened, then the individual can access the buckles 130A, 140A of the first and second straps 130, 140 so as to permit the end of personal watercraft enclosure 1 nearest the water to be opened so that the watercraft (not depicted) can be deployed into the water.

[0034] Illustratively, the second end 127, 137, 147 of each of the first, second, and third straps 120, 130, 140, as well as the first 40A retention track, second retention track 40B, and (if used) third retention track 40C can be mounted to the dock 5 in a way that uses pre-existing features in the dock 5, such as those resulting from the manufacturer of the dock 5. Use of such pre-existing features permit the personal watercraft enclosure 1 to be affixed to the dock 5 in a way that does not void the manufacturer's warranty of the dock 5. As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the dock 5 can be a dock that is specially manufactured for a personal watercraft, such as a dock formed from plastic and made to accommodate one or more personal watercraft, or in other embodiments, can be any suitable dock for use with personal watercraft, such as a slip in a larger floating dock structure that can be accessed from shore.

[0035] The cover 15 can be attached to the ribs 20A-201 in any suitable fashion. In certain embodiments, for example, the cover can include a plurality of loops such that each loop encloses all or part of each rib 20A-201. Each such loop can fully enclose the relevant rib 20A-201, and the cover 15 can be mounted to the ribs 20A-201 by sliding each rib 20A-201 through its corresponding loop in the cover 15 prior affixing each end of each rib 20A-201 to the first or second retention tracks 40A, 40B. In alternative embodiments, the loop can include a zipper, Velco®, or similar structure that permits the loop to be formed around (and enclose) each such rib 20A-201. In yet alternative embodiments, each rib 20A-201 can pass through a series of loops affixed to the cover 15, where such loops are disposed intermittently across the cover 15 and where each such loop encloses only small segments of each rib 20A-20I.

[0036] Although the personal watercraft enclosure 1 is depicted in the Figures as having 9 ribs, any suitable number of ribs can be used to provide the desired personal watercraft enclosure 1. Similarity, the shape of the ribs can be varied from the depicted U-shape, if desirable, to any suitable shape, such as rectangular, square, or other. The dimensions of the personal watercraft enclosure 1 also be varied, such as to can accommodate watercraft of different sizes or to accommodate multiple watercraft. Each rib 20A-20I can occupy any suitable shape as is desirable to provide a personal watercraft enclosure 1, such as having a circular cross section, rectangular cross section, or the like and can be made in any suitable fashion such as to provide a solid rib 20A-201 or a hollow rib 20A-20I.

[0037] Illustratively, the first retention track 40A, second retention track 40B, and third retention track 40C can be made of any suitable material, such as stainless steel, aluminum, carbon steel, plastic, fiberglass and the like and can occupy any suitable shape that is desirable to provide a personal watercraft enclosure.

[0038] All publications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as if each had been individually incorporated by reference and fully set forth.

[0039] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.

Claims

1. A personal watercraft enclosure, comprising:a plurality of ribs, wherein each rib in said plurality of ribs includes a U-shaped body that extends from a first end to a second end;a first retention track, wherein each said first end of each said rib is connected to said first retention track so as to permit each said rib to move between a first location and a second location;a second retention track, wherein each said second end of each said rib is connected to said second retention track so as to permit each said rib to move between said first location and said second location;wherein said personal watercraft enclosure is configured to provide a semi-circular cross-sectional shape when said plurality of ribs are disposed equidistant from one another;a cover, wherein said cover is affixed to each rib in said plurality of ribs and wherein said cover encloses each said U-shaped rib body;wherein said personal watercraft enclosure comprises a first end and a second end, each of which can be opened and closed by moving at least one of said plurality of ribs;wherein said personal watercraft enclosure is configured to enclose a personal watercraft when said personal watercraft is located within said personal watercraft enclosure.

2. The personal watercraft enclosure of claim 1, wherein said cover comprises premium outdoor fabric.

3. The personal watercraft enclosure of claim 2, wherein said cover comprises at least one vent.

4. The personal watercraft enclosure of claim 1, wherein said first retention track and said second retention track are configured to mount to a dock for receiving a personal watercraft.

5. The personal watercraft enclosure of claim 4, wherein said first retention track and said second retention track comprise stainless steel.

6. The personal watercraft enclosure of claim 4, wherein said first end of said personal watercraft enclosure includes a first strap for securing said personal watercraft enclosure to said dock.

7. The personal watercraft enclosure of claim 6, wherein said second end of said personal watercraft enclosure includes a second strap for securing said personal watercraft enclosure to said dock.

8. The personal watercraft enclosure of claim 4, wherein each of said plurality of ribs comprises aluminum.

9. The personal watercraft enclosure of claim 4, wherein said plurality of ribs comprises nine ribs.

10. A personal watercraft enclosure, comprising:a first end configured to be located near a location for accessing watercraft by foot;a second end configured to be located near water for receiving watercraft;a cover disposed over a plurality of ribs, whereineach rib within said plurality of ribs is configured to move between said first end of said personal watercraft enclosure and said second end of said personal watercraft enclosure;wherein said personal watercraft enclosure is configured for attachment to a dock for receiving a personal watercraft.

11. The personal watercraft enclosure of claim 10, wherein said personal watercraft enclosure includes an interior area for housing a personal watercraft when said first end of said personal watercraft enclosure is in a closed position adjacent to said dock for receiving a personal watercraft and when said second end of said personal watercraft enclosure is in a closed position adjacent to said dock for receiving a personal watercraft.

12. The personal watercraft enclosure of claim 11, wherein said personal watercraft enclosure includes a first strap configured to secure said personal watercraft enclosure to said dock for receiving a personal watercraft when said first end of said personal watercraft enclosure is in a closed position.

13. The personal watercraft enclosure of claim 11, wherein said personal watercraft enclosure includes a second strap and a third strap, wherein said second strap and said third strap are configured to secure said personal watercraft enclosure to said dock when said second end of said personal watercraft enclosure is in a closed position.

14. The personal watercraft enclosure of claim 13, wherein said second strap and said third strap are accessible from said internal area of said personal watercraft enclosure.

15. The personal watercraft enclosure of claim 14, wherein said first strap is accessible from a location external to said cover of said personal watercraft enclosure.

16. The personal watercraft enclosure of claim 15, wherein said first strap, said second strap, and said third strap each include a buckle that permits each said strap to separate into two end pieces.

17. The personal watercraft enclosure of claim 10, wherein said plurality of ribs includes nine ribs.

18. The personal watercraft enclosure of claim 17, wherein said cover is affixed to each of said nine ribs in a manner that permits the cover to move with each of said nine ribs.

19. The personal watercraft enclosure of claim 18, wherein said cover includes at least one vent.

20. The personal watercraft enclosure of claim 18, wherein each of said nine ribs comprises aluminum.

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