Suspended Boat Cover With Elastic Straps and Vents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional boat covers are cumbersome to install and remove, prone to wear and tear due to wind and wave action, and allow debris to accumulate between the cover and the boat, leading to increased maintenance and reduced durability.
Innovation Solution
A form-fitting boat cover system with elastic hanger straps and a cinching arrangement that securely attaches to the hull, combined with strategically placed vents to reduce wind pressure and prevent debris entry, while being designed to accommodate movement with the boat, and optionally incorporating solar-powered charging for marine batteries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the boat cover is made to fit tightly over the boat to prevent debris entry, then protection effectiveness is improved, but relative movement between cover and boat increases causing wear and tear
Solution Approach 1:
The cover incorporates elastic straps and adjustable tensioning mechanisms that allow the cover to dynamically adapt to boat movement caused by waves and wind, maintaining tight fit without excessive friction wear
Solution Approach 2:
The cover uses adjustable tensioning systems that can modify the tightness parameter to balance between preventing debris entry and minimizing relative movement, adapting to different sea conditions
2Reliability
If the boat cover is left to hang loosely over the boat to accommodate movement, then wear and tear is reduced, but insects and debris can get between the cover and hull
Solution Approach 1:
The cover employs different structural characteristics in different regions: loosely hanging sections over the boat body to accommodate movement and reduce wear, while maintaining tight fit at critical areas like the hull perimeter to prevent debris entry
3Ease of manufacture
If the cover is manually removed and placed on dock or ground for storage, then the cover can be cleaned and maintained, but this process is extremely time consuming and tedious
Solution Approach 1:
The cover system enables self-service operation where the cover can be easily deployed and secured by the boat owner without requiring manual removal, cleaning, or storage handling, automatically serving its protective function
4Ease of operation
If the cover is placed on dock or ground while boat is being used, then storage is convenient, but the cover collects dirt and debris that can be deposited on the boat
Solution Approach 1:
The cover system extracts the cover from the ground-level storage environment and suspends it overhead, removing the source of debris contamination (ground dirt) and preventing transfer to the boat
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system minimizes relative movement between the cover and the boat, reduces wear and tear, keeps the boat clean by preventing debris entry, and extends the life of the cover and boat, while providing a convenient and versatile solution for use in various weather conditions.
Implementation Method 1
Elastic or elastomeric hanger straps can be used to hang the cover from a track of the suspended cover system
Implementation Method 2
strategically placed vents to reduce wind pressure
Implementation Method 3
an integral solar powered trickle charging marine battery charging arrangement
Data Source
AI summary
A boat cover for a suspended cover system that is configured to fit a boat in a manner that prevents relative movement therebetween minimizing wear. The cover has at least one fitting seam that follows part of the top of the boat. An integral cover cinching arrangement enables tightening the bottom of the cover against the hull bugging it. Vents overlying a passenger section minimize wind force by reducing cover pressure differential. The cover can be equipped with a second fitting seam that extends along the gunwale of the boat and can have a downwardly extending fitting seam section that extends below the gunwale toward the bow to help fit the cover to the front portion of the hull of the boat. Stretchable straps used to hang the cover from a track of the boat cover system can be used to minimize force on the cover caused by wave action.