Coupler for attaching an accessory to a boat rail
AssigneePolaris Industries Inc.
InventorsBradley R. Fishburn, Blair A. Donat
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Couplers for attachment to a protrusion extending outward from a portion of a boat is provided. The coupler may comprise a base having an opening adapted to receive the protrusion, the base having a locked position and an unlocked position. The base being translatable along a first direction between the unlocked position and the locked position. The coupler may further comprise a retainer positioned to hold the base in the locked position; and an accessory support extending outward from the base in a second direction angled relative to the first direction.
Claims21
A coupler comprising:
- a base having an opening adapted to receive a protrusion extending outward from a portion of a boat, the base having a locked position and an unlocked position, the base being translatable along a first direction between the unlocked position and the locked position;
- wherein the portion of the boat includes a rail supported on a horizontally extending deck and the rail is horizontally located between an edge of the horizontally extending deck and furniture supported on the horizontally extending deck;
- a retainer having:
- a ridge with a cam surface;
- wherein, upon contact with the protrusion, the cam surface is configured to actuate the retainer with translation of the base along the first direction;
- and
- wherein the ridge is configured to hold the base in the locked position;
- an accessory support extending outward from the base in a second direction angled relative to the first direction;
- and
- an adapter position between the base and the rail.
A method of supporting an accessory, the method comprising:
- positioning a coupler onto a protrusion of a boat, the coupler including:
- a base moveable between a locked position relative to a rail and an unlocked position relative to the rail;
- a retainer configured to hold the base in the locked position;
- and
- an accessory support;
- moving the coupler in a first direction to position the base in the locked position relative to the rail;
- and
- positioning the base in the locked position includes:
- contacting the protrusion with the retainer;
- and
- actuating the retainer of the coupler with a cam surface of the retainer to secure the locked position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.