Pontoon fender cord support clip

Abstract

A watercraft comprising a flotation platform having a railing, with the railing having a top area and a bottom area, a cord clip connected to the railing at the bottom area of the railing, a cord connected to the cord clip and hanging downwardly from the railing, and a fender connected to the cord below the cord clip and adjacent a side of the flotation platform. The fender protects the flotation platform from abutting other objects.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to fenders for boats, and in particular to a clip for holding a fender cord from a pontoon boat.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Some watercraft employ fenders to protect the watercraft from impacts with obstacles, such as a dock. The fenders are typically hung from a side or sides of a watercraft so that, when the watercraft gets close to a dock, the fenders are disposed between the watercraft and the dock to prevent damage to the hull and / or other outer surfaces of the watercraft. Once the watercraft is under way and no longer near an obstacle, the fenders can be stowed away on the watercraft for future use.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention, according to one aspect, is directed to watercraft comprising a flotation platform having a railing, with the railing having a top area and a bottom area, a cord clip connected to the railing at the bottom area of the railing, a cord connected to the cord clip and hanging downwardly from the railing, and a fender connected to the cord below the cord clip and adjacent a side of the flotation platform. The fender protects the flotation platform from abutting other objects.

[0004] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an improvement to a watercraft comprising a flotation platform having a railing, the railing having a top area and a bottom area, a cord connected to a fender and adjacent a side of the flotation platform, the fender protecting the flotation platform from abutting other objects. The improvement comprises a cord clip connected to the railing at the bottom area of the railing, with the cord being connected to the cord clip and hanging downwardly from the railing.

[0005] Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method of connecting a fender to a watercraft, the watercraft comprising a flotation platform having a railing, the railing having a top area and a bottom area. The method comprises connecting a cord clip to the railing at the bottom area of the railing, connecting a cord to the cord clip such that the cord hangs downwardly from the railing, and connecting a fender to the cord below the cord clip and adjacent a side of the flotation platform, with the fender protecting the flotation platform from abutting other objects.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] One or more embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by way of example and should not be construed as being limited to the specific embodiments depicted in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate similar elements.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of watercraft, and in particular a pontoon boat, employing a cord clip of the present invention.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cord clip of the present invention.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a top view of the cord clip of the present invention.

[0010] FIG. 4 is a front view of the cord clip of the present invention.

[0011] FIG. 5 is a side view of the cord clip of the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 6A is a side view of the cord clip of the present invention located into a rail of the watercraft.

[0013] FIG. 6B is a side view of the cord clip of the present invention at a first stage of being removed from the rail of the watercraft.

[0014] FIG. 6C is a side view of the cord clip of the present invention at a second stage of being removed from the rail of the watercraft.

[0015] FIG. 6D is a side view of the cord clip of the present invention at a third stage of being removed from the rail of the watercraft.

[0016] The specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] For purposes of description herein, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined herein. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0018] The reference number 100 (FIG. 1) generally designates a watercraft of the present invention in the form of a pontoon boat, although it is contemplated that the watercraft could be any form of craft that floats on water. The pontoon boat 100 includes a plurality of pontoons 102 to keep the pontoon boat 100 afloat, a flooring 104 located on the pontoons 102, a railing 106 extending upward from the flooring 104 to define a seating area 108, and a motor 110 for propelling the pontoon boat 100. The illustrated pontoon boat 100 includes a plurality of fender assemblies 112 supported on a rail 120 (e.g., a top rail) of the railing 106. Each fender assembly 112 includes a cord clip 114 according to the present invention, a cord 116 connected to the cord clip 114 and a fender 118 connected to the cord 116. The fenders 118 of the fender assemblies 112 prevent damage to the outer surfaces of the pontoon boat 100.

[0019] The illustrated cord clips 114 of the fender assemblies 112 removably connect the cord 116 and the fenders 118 to the pontoon boat. It is contemplated that the fenders 118 could have any configuration well known to those skilled in the art. Such fenders 118 typically are made of resilient and deformable material (e.g., coir fibers, EPDM, natural rubber, neoprene, polyurethane, PVC, silicone, and / or TPE) and can reform into their original shape upon deformation. Likewise, the cord 116 can be connected to the fenders 118 in any manner well known to those skilled in the art and can be made out of any well known materials. As used herein, “cord” means any length of strand or strands of fibers or wire or other material, either a single strand or a plurality of strands twisted or braided together.

[0020] In the illustrated example, the cord clips 114 (FIGS. 2-5) are configured to be releasably connected to the railing 106 and are connected to the cord 116. The cord clip 114 includes a rail connection section 122 for connection to the rail 120, a cord connection section 124 for connection to the cord 116 and a spanning section 126 connecting the rail connection section 122 to the cord connection section 124. The rail connection section 122 includes a plate 128 having a front connection hook 130 and a rear connection hook 132, with the front connection hook 130 and the rear connection hook 132 engaging with the rail 120 when the cord clip 114 is connected to the rail 120. It is contemplated that the cord clip 114 can be made of any appropriate material (e.g., plastic or metal).

[0021] The illustrated front connection hook 130 has an inverted J-shaped configuration with an upwardly extending portion 134 extending upwardly from the plate 128 and a forwardly facing hook portion 136 at a top of the upwardly extending portion 134. The front connection hook 130 defines a front hook slot 138 under the forwardly facing hook portion 136. While the front connection hook 130 is illustrated as being a single element, it is contemplated that the front connection hook 130 could be interrupted. The rear connection hook 132 has an arcuate upwardly extending portion 140 extending upwardly from the plate 128 defining a rearwardly facing groove 142. While the rear connection hook 132 is illustrated as being interrupted into two rear connection hooks 132, it is contemplated that the rear connection hooks 132 could be a single uninterrupted element.

[0022] In the illustrated example, the spanning section 126 of the cord clip 114 connects the rail connection section 122 to the cord connection section 124. As shown, the cord connection section 124 comprises a cylinder 144 having a central vertical opening 146 for accepting the cord 116 therethrough. However, it is contemplated that the cord connection section 124 could include any configuration that is configured to support a fender 118. For example, the opening 146 could be horizontally orientated and / or could have an interruption such that the cord 116 can be snapped into the cord connection section 124. Moreover, the cord connection section 124 could have any other configuration for holding the cord 116 (e.g., a cleat). The spanning section 126 is configured to hold the cord connection section 124 in a position away from the rail 120 to allow the cord 116 to be connected thereto.

[0023] FIG. 6A illustrates an embodiment of the cord clip 114 in the rail 120 of the railing 106 of the pontoon boat 100. The rail 120 includes a top surface 148, an outside surface 150 and a bottom area 152. The top surface 148 and the outside surface 150 of the rail 120 can be as shown in FIG. 6A or can have any appearance or texture or any further elements positioned thereon (e.g., padding or covering). An inside surface 154 of the rail 120 can have a sidewall 156 connected thereto as shown, can have any appearance or texture, can be free from any connection, and / or can have any further elements positioned thereto (e.g., padding or covering). The bottom area 152 of the rail 120 includes a rear opening 158, a front opening 160 and a bottom plate 162 located between the rear opening 158 and the front opening 160. The rear opening 158 has a forwardly extending flange 164 defining a rear receiving slot 166 in front of the forwardly extending flange 164 into a rear receiving space 168. The front opening 160 has a downwardly extending J-shaped flange 170 defining a front receiving slot 172 behind the downwardly extending J-shaped flange 170 into a front receiving space 174.

[0024] In the illustrated example, the cord clip 114 is connected to the rail 120 to interconnect the fender 118 to the rail 120. As shown in FIG. 6A, the rear connection hook 132 of the rail connection section 122 of cord clip 114 is located within the rear receiving space 168. When connected, the forwardly extending flange 164 of the rear opening 158 of the rail 120 is received within the rearwardly facing groove 142 of the rear connection hook 132 of the rail connection section 122 of the cord clip 114. Likewise, the downwardly extending J-shaped flange 170 of the front opening 160 of the rail 120 is received within the front hook slot 138 of the front connection hook 130 of the rail connection section 122 of the cord clip 114. Moreover, a top of the plate 128 of the rail connection section 122 of the cord clip 114 abuts against the bottom plate 162 of the rail 120. It is contemplated that the top of the plate 128 and / or the bottom plate 162 of the rail 120 could have resilient elements (e.g., a cushion pad) to assist in maintaining the cord clip 114 within the rail 120. FIG. 6A also shows the cord 116 extending through the opening 146 in the cord connection section 124 of the cord clip 114, with a knot 176 in the cord 116 to prevent the cord 116 from sliding through the opening 146.

[0025] FIGS. 6B-6D illustrate the process of removing the cord clip 114 from the rail 120 for storage or movement of the cord clip 114, the cord 116 and the fender 118. First, as shown in FIG. 6B, the rear of the cord clip 114 is rotated downward along line 178 to remove the forwardly extending flange 164 of the rear opening 158 of the rail 120 from being received within the rearwardly facing groove 142 of the rear connection hook 132 of the rail connection section 122 of the cord clip 114. Therefore, in this first step, the rear connection hook 132 of the rail connection section 122 of the cord clip 114 is removed from the rear receiving space 168. Second, as shown in FIG. 6C, the front of the cord clip 114 is moved upward along line 180 to disconnect the engagement of the downwardly extending J-shaped flange 170 of the front opening 160 of the rail 120 from within the front hook slot 138 of the front connection hook 130 of the rail connection section 122 of the cord clip 114. Such movement also forces the front connection hook 130 of the rail connection section 122 of the cord clip 114 rearward within the front receiving space 174. Finally, as shown in FIG. 6D, the cord clip 114 is rotated along line 182 to allow the front connection hook 130 of the rail connection section 122 of the cord clip 114 to be fully removed from the front receiving space 174 through the front receiving slot 172. The process of connecting the cord clip 114 to the rail is the same process of FIGS. 6B-6D, but in reverse.

[0026] The illustrated cord clip 114 as described herein allows connection of the cord 116 and fender 118 to the rail 120. Moreover, since the cord clip 114 is connected to a bottom area of the rail 120, the cord clip 114 is not present at the top of the rail 120, thereby providing a connection that is out of the way of use of the pontoon boat 100 and also provides for a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. Moreover, the cord clip 114 can easily move along the rail 120 for different docking situations and does not interfere with furniture on the watercraft.

[0027] Although particular preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be recognized that variations or modifications of the disclosed apparatus, including the rearrangement of parts, lie within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A watercraft comprising:a flotation platform having a railing, the railing having a top area and a bottom area;a cord clip connected to the railing at the bottom area of the railing;a cord connected to the cord clip and hanging downwardly from the railing; anda fender connected to the cord below the cord clip and adjacent a side of the flotation platform, the fender protecting the flotation platform from abutting other objects.

2. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein:the bottom area of the railing has a pair of slots; andthe cord clip has a pair of upwardly extending hooks, each of the hooks of the cord clip extending into one of the slots of the bottom area of the railing to connect the cord clip to the railing.

3. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein:the cord clip is not adjacent the top area of the railing and is not adjacent to side faces of the railing.

4. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein:the cord clip includes a rail connection section connected to the railing, a cord connection section connected to the cord and a spanning section extending between the rail connection section and the cord connection section.

5. The watercraft of claim 4, wherein:the spanning section spaces the cord connection section below the bottom area of the railing.

6. The watercraft of claim 5, wherein:the spanning section also spaces the cord connection section outwardly relative to the railing.

7. The watercraft of claim 4, wherein:the cord connection section includes a cylinder with the cord extending through the cylinder.

8. An improvement to a watercraft comprising a flotation platform having a railing, the railing having a top area and a bottom area, a cord connected to a fender and adjacent a side of the flotation platform, the fender protecting the flotation platform from abutting other objects, the improvement comprising:a cord clip connected to the railing at the bottom area of the railing, with the cord being connected to the cord clip and hanging downwardly from the railing.

9. The improvement of claim 8, wherein:the bottom area of the railing has a pair of slots; andthe cord clip has a pair of upwardly extending hooks, each of the hooks of the cord clip extending into one of the slots of the bottom area of the railing to connect the cord clip to the railing.

10. The improvement of claim 8, wherein:the cord clip is not adjacent the top area of the railing and is not adjacent to side faces of the railing.

11. The improvement of claim 8, wherein:the cord clip includes a rail connection section connected to the railing, a cord connection section connected to the cord and a spanning section extending between the rail connection section and the cord connection section.

12. The improvement of claim 11, wherein:the spanning section spaces the cord connection section below the bottom area of the railing.

13. The improvement of claim 12, wherein:the spanning section also spaces the cord connection section outwardly relative to the railing.

14. The improvement of claim 11, wherein:the cord connection section includes a cylinder with the cord extending through the cylinder.

15. A method of connecting a fender to a watercraft, the watercraft comprising a flotation platform having a railing, the railing having a top area and a bottom area, the method comprising:connecting a cord clip to the railing at the bottom area of the railing;connecting a cord to the cord clip such that the cord hangs downwardly from the railing; andconnecting a fender to the cord below the cord clip and adjacent a side of the flotation platform, the fender protecting the flotation platform from abutting other objects.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein:the bottom area of the railing has a pair of slots; andthe cord clip has a pair of upwardly extending hooks, each of the hooks of the cord clip extending into one of the slots of the bottom area of the railing to connect the cord clip to the railing.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein:the cord clip is not adjacent the top area of the railing and is not adjacent to side faces of the railing.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein:the cord clip includes a rail connection section connected to the railing, a cord connection section connected to the cord and a spanning section extending between the rail connection section and the cord connection section.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein:the spanning section spaces the cord connection section below the bottom area of the railing.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein:the spanning section also spaces the cord connection section outwardly relative to the railing.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein:the cord connection section includes a cylinder with the cord extending through the cylinder.

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