# US 7,461,607 B2 · Apparatus for attaching a pontoon to a watercraft > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,461,607 B2 - Document ID: US7461607B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/278,391 - Filed: 2006-03-31 - Published: 2007-02-22 - Granted: 2008-12-09 - Earliest claimed: 2006-03-31 - Inventors: Michael Bruce Reilly; Bradley Ryan Madu; Phillip Noel Carter; Scott Billings - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7461607B2 ## CPC - B63B 7/04: sectionalised (sectionalised water sports boards B63B32/53; sectionalised canoes, kayaks or the like B63B34/23) - F16B 45/00: Hooks; Eyes (if the attaching parts or means are concerned, groups F16B13/00, F16B15/00, F16B19/00, F16B25/00, F16B35/00, F16B47/00 take precedence; for hanging pictures or the like A47G1/16; towing hooks for ships B63B21/58; for hoisting or hauling purposes B66C; hooks or eyes with integral parts designed to facilitate quick attachment to cables or ropes at any point F16G11/14) - B63B 1/12: the hulls being interconnected rigidly {(B63B1/107 takes precedence)} - B63B 2001/126: {comprising more than three hulls} - B63B 2003/085: {Multiple hull vessels, e.g. catamarans, assembled from detachably-connected sub-units} - B63B: SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING (arrangements of vessel ventilation, heating, cooling, or air-conditioning B63J2/00; floating substructures as supports of dredgers or soil-shifting machines E02F9/06) - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) ## Abstract The present invention relates to an apparatus for attaching a pontoon to a watercraft. There is provided an a first quick-coupler adapted to be connected to the pontoon and a second quick-coupler, complemental with the first quick-coupler. adapted to be connected to the hull, wherein the first and second quick-couplers together have at least three of the following: (i) lugs that close back on themselves to form one of an open loop and a closed loop, (ii) multiple lugs arranged in a triangle, (iii) both a fixed hook and a latch, (iv) two hooks that engage the same lug and (v) two non-parallel hooks that engage the same lug. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for attaching a pontoon to a hull, comprising: (a) a first quick-coupler adapted to be connected to the pontoon; and (b) a second quick-coupler, complemental with the first quick-coupler, connected to the hull, (c) wherein the first and second quick-couplers together have at least three of the following: (i) lugs that close back on themselves to form one of an open loop and a closed loop; (ii) multiple lugs arranged in a triangle; (iii) both a fixed hook and a latch; (iv) two hooks that engage the same lug; and (v) two non-parallel hooks that engage the same lug. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein: (a) the first quick-coupler is one of: (i) a latch-assembly; and (ii) a lug-assembly; (b) if the first quick-coupler is a latch-assembly, then the second quick-coupler is a lug-assembly; and (c) if the first quick-coupler is a lug-assembly, then the second quick-coupler is a latch-assembly. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the lug-assembly comprises: (a) a first lug; and (b) a second lug. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the lugs are U-shaped. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein: a) the lug-assembly further comprises a third lug; and b) the lugs are arranged in a triangular pattern. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the lugs are mounted on a T-shaped member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the latch-assembly comprises: (a) a hook-member complemental with the first lug; and (b) a latch-member complemental with the second lug. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the hook-member comprises: (a) a first hook adapted to releasably engage the first lug at a first position; and (b) a second hook adapted to releasably engage the first lug at a second position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the hook-member is oriented such that the prevailing force on the objects will urge the first lug into engagement with the hook-member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the latch-member is oriented with respect to the hook-member such that when the first lug is engaged within the hook-member, the prevailing force on the objects will urge the second lug into engagement with the latch-member. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein: (a) the latch-assembly further comprises a second hook-member; and (b) the hook-members and the latch-member are arranged in a triangular pattern. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) An apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the hook-members and the latch-member are mounted on an elongated member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pontoon fits within the hull when not attached to the hull. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pontoon is operable as a life raft when not attached to the hull. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein (a) the pontoon defines a first recess for retaining the first quick-coupler; and (b) the hull defines a second recess for retaining the second quick-coupler. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) An apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein: (a) the pontoon defines a first abutment at least partially framing the first recess; and (b) the hull defines a complemental second abutment at least partially framing the second recess. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an elongated seating-member fitted transversely within the hull and inline with the first and second quick-couplers so as to brace the pontoon. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) An apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the seating-member, the hull, and the second quick-coupler are fastened together. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) An apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the second recess protrudes inside the hull and mates with the seating-member.