Pontoon Boat Cover Support Assembly with Adjustable Poles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing boat cover systems fail to provide adequate support for pontoon boats, particularly in terms of center line and lateral support, leading to water pooling and damage from weather elements, and require extensive clamping mechanisms that may not be suitable for lightweight railing systems.
Innovation Solution
A support assembly featuring open, aluminum, cylindrical brackets attached to the pontoon boat deck, with interconnecting rib assemblies and adjustable poles that extend to the deck or surface, providing center line and lateral support without extensive clamping, and accommodating railing systems and outboard motor portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a center support pole structure is used for small boats, then the tarpaulin is supported along the center line, but the tarpaulin still sags to form low points for water collection on larger beamed boats
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the single center support into multiple lateral support poles distributed across the boat deck. These poles segment the tarpaulin coverage area into multiple supported zones, preventing sagging and water collection by providing frequent lateral support points rather than relying on a single center pole that cannot adequately support larger beam boats.
2Stability of the object's composition
If home-made frame structures are used to support tarpaulins on larger boats, then lateral support is provided, but the structures are haphazard and require extensive clamping mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The support poles are designed to be self-supporting through their own structural integrity and weight distribution. The poles rest directly on the boat deck surface, using their own weight and proper positioning to maintain stability without requiring external clamping mechanisms or complex bracket systems. This simplifies the overall structure while maintaining effective lateral support.
3Reliability
If extensive clamping mechanisms are used to secure the cover system, then the cover is secured to the boat, but the lightweight railing system of the pontoon boat may not support the bracket and screw clamping means
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the clamping mechanisms and bracket systems entirely from the design. Instead of securing the cover to the railing system, the support poles are placed directly on the deck surface, extracting the problematic clamping components that would overload the lightweight railings. The cover is held in place by the support structure rather than by mechanical fastening to the railings.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If shrink wrap plastic is used to cover the boat, then water pooling is prevented, but the plastic film is vulnerable to tearing in storms and punctures from debris
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a tarpaulin or shrink wrap plastic stretched over a rigid support pole framework. The rigid poles provide structural strength to resist storm forces and prevent punctures from debris, while the flexible tarpaulin or plastic film maintains its water-resistant properties and prevents pooling. The rigid support structure protects the vulnerable plastic film without compromising its water prevention function.
Data Source
AI summary
A pontoon boat cover support assembly is provided. Aluminum, cylindrical brackets having a vertical orientation, are fastened to the outer perimeter of the pontoon boat deck. A rib assembly, each with a central, top, four-way fitting, having a bottom inserted into a pair of cylindrical brackets on opposite sides of the deck. A number of rib assemblies are fastened to each other with ridge poles sections interconnected to the a four-way fittings on each pair of ribs. A central, adjustable pole extends downwardly from a rib brace, positioned below each four-way fitting, to the deck or other surface.