US3823431A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Convertible top for boats and the like
Assignee: STARCRAFT Corp A CORP OF
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Filing: 1973-04-23
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Granted: 1974-07-16
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Expires: 1993-04-23
Abstract
Abstract The top includes a pair of inverted generally U-shaped main frame members pivoted at their lower ends to slides mounted along opposite sides of the boat for translational movement in a fore and aft direction. Each frame member carries an auxiliary generally U-shaped frame member, the auxiliary and main frame members upstanding from the boat in respective fore and aft directions and supporting along their upper ends a flexible convertible top. The stern portion of the boat pivotally mounts an engine housing cover. Below the cover is a ledge which extends transversely between opposite sides of the boat. To store the top, the auxiliary frames are folded onto the main frames and one or both main frames are longitudinally translated so that the frames lie next adjacent one another. With the stern cover pivoted up, the frames can be pivoted downwardly to lie in a generally horizontal plane and such that the folded flexible cover and base portions of the frames rest on the transversely extending ledge. The stern cover is then pivoted downwardly to overlie the ledge and close the engine compartment.
Inventors
- 👤 L Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 00:37
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B17/00; B63B17/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
226 words
In a boat having a hull, opposed side portions, a cockpit, and an engine compartment in the stern portion thereof for housing an engine, a convertible top movable between a first position overlying the cockpit of said boat and a second stored position within the engine compartment, said top including an inverted generally U-shaped frame member and a flexible cover with said cover being secured to said frame member, means for securing the lower ends of said frame member to the respective opposite sides of said boat for movement in a generally longitudinal direction and for pivotal movement about a transverse axis generally normal to said longitudinal direction, a storage area for said flexible cover and said frame member located within said engine compartment, means for releasably securing said cover to said boat in said first position of said top with said frame member upstanding from the sides of said boat and at least partially supporting said cover, said frame member being movable in said generally longitudinal direction and pivotal about said axis to obtain a generally reclined position in said storage area when said top is moved from said first position to said second position, means in said storage area for supporting the convertible top in spaced relation to the engine, and an engine compartment cover for enclosing the engine compartment and the storage area.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
226 words
In a boat having a hull, opposed side portions, a cockpit, and an engine compartment in the stern portion thereof for housing an engine, a convertible top movable between a first position overlying the cockpit of said boat and a second stored position within the engine compartment, said top including an inverted generally U-shaped frame member and a flexible cover with said cover being secured to said frame member, means for securing the lower ends of said frame member to the respective opposite sides of said boat for movement in a generally longitudinal direction and for pivotal movement about a transverse axis generally normal to said longitudinal direction, a storage area for said flexible cover and said frame member located within said engine compartment, means for releasably securing said cover to said boat in said first position of said top with said frame member upstanding from the sides of said boat and at least partially supporting said cover, said frame member being movable in said generally longitudinal direction and pivotal about said axis to obtain a generally reclined position in said storage area when said top is moved from said first position to said second position, means in said storage area for supporting the convertible top in spaced relation to the engine, and an engine compartment cover for enclosing the engine compartment and the storage area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the pivotal axis of said frame member lies in first and second spaced longitudinal positions along said boat sides when said frame member lies in said upstanding and inclined positions, respectively.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus according to claim 2 including a generally inverted U-shaped support having its legs pivotally connected to the respective legs of said frame member, said support in said first position of said top extending angularly from said frame member for partial support of said cover and in said second position of said top lying generally coplanar therewith in said reclined position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said frame member and said support incline in respective aft and forward directions when said top lies in said first position, said frame member and said support being pivotal in an aft direction with said support overlying said frame member when said top lies in said stored position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
161 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said top includes a second inverted generally U-shaped frame member, said flexible cover being secuRed to said second frame member, means for securing the lower ends of said second frame member to opposite sides of said boat for movement in a generally longitudinal direction and for pivotal movement about a transverse axis generally normal to said longitudinal direction, said second frame member in said first position of said top upstanding from the opposite sides of said boat with the pivotal axis thereof in one longitudinal location along said boat, said upstanding second frame providing for at least partial support of said cover in the first position of said top, said second frame member in said second position of said top lying in a generally reclined position with the pivotal axis thereof in another longitudinal location along said boat, said frame members being superposed one over the other in said second position of said top.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus according to claim 5 including first and second generally U-shaped supports having their legs pivotally connected to said first and second frame members, respectively, said supports in said first position of said top extending angularly from the respective frame members and in said second position of said top lying generally coplanar therewith.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said first and second frame members are mounted for movement in the generally longitudinal direction along discrete guides extending longitudinally along opposite sides of said boat, said guides being vertically spaced one from the other.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
203 words
In a boat having a hull, a cockpit, an engine compartment, a cover for said engine compartment pivotal between first and second positions, and a support member extending transversely of said boat and in part overlying said engine compartment, a convertible top for said boat movable between a first position overlying said cockpit and a second storage position, said top including an inverted generally U-shaped frame member and a flexible cover with said flexible cover being secured to said frame member, means for securing the lower ends of said frame member to the respective opposite sides of said boat for movement of said frame member between a position upstanding from said boat at least partially supporting said flexible cover over said cockpit and a reclined position, said upstanding and reclined positions corresponding to respective first and second positions of said top, said engine compartment cover in said first position thereof providing access to said support member whereby said frame member in its reclined position together with the flexible cover carried thereby rest on said support member, said engine compartment cover in said second position thereof and in the second position of said top overlying said frame member and the flexible cover carried thereby.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
203 words
In a boat having a hull, a cockpit, an engine compartment, a cover for said engine compartment pivotal between first and second positions, and a support member extending transversely of said boat and in part overlying said engine compartment, a convertible top for said boat movable between a first position overlying said cockpit and a second storage position, said top including an inverted generally U-shaped frame member and a flexible cover with said flexible cover being secured to said frame member, means for securing the lower ends of said frame member to the respective opposite sides of said boat for movement of said frame member between a position upstanding from said boat at least partially supporting said flexible cover over said cockpit and a reclined position, said upstanding and reclined positions corresponding to respective first and second positions of said top, said engine compartment cover in said first position thereof providing access to said support member whereby said frame member in its reclined position together with the flexible cover carried thereby rest on said support member, said engine compartment cover in said second position thereof and in the second position of said top overlying said frame member and the flexible cover carried thereby.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-07-15 | 1978-01-14 | 1978-07-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-15 | 1982-01-14 | 1982-07-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-15 | 1986-01-14 | 1986-07-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |