Back to results
US 7,188,576 B2Granted
Modular deck structure of a pontoon boat
AssigneeXpress Boats
InventorsJeff Bogard, David Ashcraft, Sr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A modular snap-tight interlocking deck and process for constructing a pontoon boat with said deck is described. The modular deck includes lightweight planks that snap together using a tongue-in-groove design. Once joined, the planks are inseparable and form a rigid, flat, watertight surface.
Claims2
A method of assembling and attaching a deck to a plurality of pontoons, comprising:
- a. snapping together a plurality of planks to assemble the deck, wherein a first plank has a flat top and bottom;
- wherein one side of the first plank has an L-shaped connector piece with a tongue on the end of the L-shaped connector piece;
- wherein the opposite side of the first plank has a groove for locking the tongue of an identical adjoining plank;
- wherein the first plank and the identical adjoining plank are snapped together by inserting the tongue of the first plank into the groove of the adjoining plank and applying a force toward the 90-degree bend of the L-shaped connector;
- and wherein a plurality of identical adjoining planks are snapped together in like fashion;
- b. Spot-welding seams between adjoining planks to ensure that each plank is square with respect to other planks;
- c. Welding a plurality of pontoons to a plurality of angle brackets spaced along the length of the pontoon;
- d. Welding the angle brackets to the deck at seams between the adjoining planks of the deck;
- e. Welding portions of the deck that overhang the pontoon;
- f. Welding the deck such that each plank of the deck has a plurality of welds securing the plank to adjoining planks.
7 more elements
A method of assembling and attaching a deck to a plurality of pontoons by:
- a. snapping together a plurality of planks to assemble the deck, wherein a first plank has a flat top and bottom;
- wherein one side of the first plank has an L-shaped connector piece with a tongue on the end of the L-shaped connector piece;
- wherein the opposite side of the first plank has a groove for locking the tongue of an identical adjoining plank;
- wherein the first plank and the identical adjoining plank are snapped together by inserting the tongue of the first plank into the groove of the adjoining plank and applying a force toward the 90-degree bend of the L-shaped connector;
- and wherein a plurality of identical adjoining planks are snapped together in like fashion;
- b. Spot-welding seams along individual adjoining planks to ensure that each plank is square with respect to other planks;
- c. Welding a plurality of pontoons to the deck at seams between the adjoining planks of the deck;
- d. Welding portions of the deck that overhang the pontoon;
- e. Welding the deck such that each plank of the deck has a plurality of welds securing the plank to adjoining planks.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.