Occupant Protection Apparatus For A Center Console Vessel

Abstract

An occupant protection apparatus is provided for a vessel having a center helm console supported by a deck, wherein the console is disposed between and separated from opposing port and starboard gunwales of the vessel. The apparatus comprises a rigid panel member operably engaged with each of the port and starboard sides of the console. Each panel member has fore and aft ends, wherein the fore end of each panel member is pivotably attached to the starboard and port sides, respectively, of the console such that the aft side of each panel member is pivotable between an inboard position adjacent to the respective port and starboard sides of the console, and an outboard position adjacent to the respective port and starboard gunwales of the vessel. The panel members in the outboard position protect the occupant from wind and / or water spray produced by the vessel moving through water.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11 / 210,152, filed Aug. 23, 2005, which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to an enclosure for waterborne vessels and, more particularly, to an occupant protection apparatus for a center console vessel. [0004] 2. Description of Related Art [0005] One popular form of a waterborne vessel or boat is configured such that the occupants of the boat, such as the captain, crew, or passengers, are able to walk around the helm between the stern or cockpit area and the bow of the boat. Such a boat configuration is often referred to as a “walk-around” or “center console” boat (hereinafter referred to as a “center console boat” having a “center helm console,” for brevity). Bodies of water plied by such boats, for example, large lakes or the ocean, may sometimes get ro...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] The above and other needs are met by the present invention which, in one embodiment, provides an occupant protection apparatus for a waterborne vessel having a center helm console supported by a deck, wherein the center helm console is disposed between and separated from opposing port and starboard gunwales of the vessel so as to allow an occupant to move between fore and aft sides of the center helm console past one of a port side and a starboard side thereof. Such an apparatus comprises a rigid panel member operably engaged with each of the port and starboard sides of the center helm console, wherein each rigid panel member has opposing fore and aft ends. The fore end of each rigid panel member is pivotably attached to the starboard and port sides, respectively, of the center helm console such that the aft side of each rigid panel member is pivotable between an inboard position adjacent to the respective port and starboard sides of the center helm console, and an outboard position adjacent to the respective port and starboard gunwales of the vessel. The rigid panel members in the outboard position thereby protect the occupant from at least one of wind and water spray produced by the vessel moving through water.

Problems solved by technology

Bodies of water plied by such boats, for example, large lakes or the ocean, may sometimes get rough due to wind and / or current and / or other factors.

In such instances, the combination of wind and waves may often result in spray being generated by the boat moving through such rough water.

In any event, the spray typically becomes airborne due to the wind and ends up blowing on or into the boat.

As a result, even though the occupants of the boat are riding at or aft of the console (helm) as the boat is moving, the occupants will generally get wet from this spray.

However, for aesthetic, ergonomic, or structural reasons, such a windshield or top may not extend sufficiently around the center console to protect the occupants of the boat from the wind and / or spray.

Such soft enclosures, however, may exhibit shortcomings that may not appeal to all boat owners.

For example, the clear plastic portions of the panels tend to distort vision therethrough, and may be easily scratched.

Over time, these clear plastic portions may become damaged by solar radiation and experience “yellowing” or otherwise become opaque.

The clear plastic portions damaged in this manner often become brittle and are easily cracked.

In such instances, though, if moisture is present on the clear plastic panels, or such panels become wet while rolled up, the clear plastic may be come clouded.

Also, rolling the curtains tends to result in scratches in the clear plastic portions.

In addition, once rolled or removed from the boat, the curtains tend to “shrink” or otherwise contract due to the nature of the materials forming the curtains.

As a result, reinstalling, or unrolling and re-fastening, the curtains may be difficult, particularly in colder weather.

At the same time, the zippers, snaps, or other fasteners used to secure the curtains to each other and to the boat may corrode and / or tear out of the curtain fabric.

Also, the portions of the fasteners secured to the boat may be obtrusive or unsightly.

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