Ensuring installation of drain plug when launching aquatic vessel
AssigneeSafe Launch LLC
InventorsSteven J. Colsher, Raymond G. Haber
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An auxiliary strap, connected to a tie-down strap for securing a boat to a trailer, is removably anchored to a drain opening in the boat, by being connected to a tethered drain plug, or by being connected to a spring clip that extends into the drain opening. The connection of the tie-down strap to the drain opening reminds the boater to reinstall the drain plug before launching the boat.
Claims9
A method of transporting and launching an aquatic vessel having a drain opening and a drain plug insertable into the drain opening comprising the steps of:
- positioning the aquatic vessel on a trailer;
- securing the aquatic vessel to the trailer by connecting the vessel to the trailer by means of at least one tie-down strap having a flexible auxiliary strap having first and second ends, the first end being connected to the tie-down strap;
- anchoring the second end of the flexible auxiliary strap to the drain opening while the drain plug is not inserted in the drain opening;
- transporting the vessel, on the trailer, to a launch site;
- releasing vessel from the trailer by releasing a connection of the tie-down strap from at least one of the vessel and the trailer, and releasing the second end of the flexible auxiliary strap from its anchoring relationship with the drain opening;
- inserting the drain plug in the drain opening;
- and
- launching the vessel at the launch site.
A combination of an aquatic vessel having an open drain opening closable by a drain plug, and a trailer on which the aquatic vessel is supported for transportation, the combination including:
- means for securing the vessel to the trailer, said securing means including a tie-down strap, connected to the vessel and the trailer, and
- a flexible auxiliary strap having first and second ends, the first end being connected to the tie-down strap, and the second end being anchored to the open drain opening.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.