# US 8,770,135 B2 · Convertible boats > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,770,135 B2 - Document ID: US8770135B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/145,576 - Filed: 2010-01-15 - Published: 2011-12-15 - Granted: 2014-07-08 - Earliest claimed: 2009-01-23 - Applicants: Matthew Kingsley Craze; Andrew Charles Fearman - Inventors: Matthew Kingsley Craze; Andrew Charles Fearman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8770135B2 ## CPC - B63B 17/02: Awnings {, including rigid weather protection structures, e.g. sunroofs; Tarpaulins; Accessories for awnings or tarpaulins} - B63B 19/02: Clear-view screens; {Windshields (canopies connected to windshields B63B17/02)} - B63B 34/00: Vessels specially adapted for water sports or leisure; Body-supporting devices specially adapted for water sports or leisure (water sports boards B63B32/00; swimming frameworks A63B35/00; propulsion arrangements actuated by muscle power B63H16/00) - 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) ## Abstract A boat having opposing side walls with gunwales thereon, a foredeck between the side walls and below the gunwales, wales, an extensible and retractable windscreen in front and around the sides of the foredeck, a helm console behind the foredeck, and an erectable and collapsible hard top pivoted to the side walls of the boat, wherein the boat is selectively convertible between: a first configuration in which the windscreen is retracted below or just above the gunwales, and the hard top is collapsed forwardly to overlap the retracted windscreen and/or the gunwales to form a platform covering the foredeck; a second configuration in which the windscreen is extended above the gunwales, and the hard top is partially erected to overlap the extended windscreen, so that together the windscreen and hard top form an enclosure over, above and around the front and sides of the foredeck; and a third configuration in which the windscreen is retracted below or just above the gunwales, and the hard top is fully erected over and above the helm console. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A boat having opposing side walls with gunwales thereon, a foredeck between the side walls and below the gunwales, an extensible and retractable windscreen in front and around the sides of the foredeck, a helm console behind the foredeck, and an erectable and collapsible hard top pivoted to the side walls of the boat, wherein the boat is selectively convertible between: a first configuration in which the windscreen is retracted below or just above the gunwales, and the hard top is collapsed forwardly to overlap the retracted windscreen and/or the gunwales to form a platform covering the foredeck; a second configuration in which the windscreen is extended above the gunwales, and the hard top is partially erected to overlap the extended windscreen, so that together the windscreen and hard top form an enclosure over, above and around the front and sides of the foredeck; and a third configuration in which the windscreen is retracted below or just above the gunwales, and the hard top is fully erected over and above the helm console. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A boat according to claim 1, wherein the hard top is pivoted to each side wall by one or two dual hinged arms. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A boat according to claim 1, wherein the windscreen is slidably mounted to each side wall on linear tracks. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A boat according to claim 1, wherein the hard top and windscreen are each controllably actuatable between selected positions by one or more actuators. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A boat according to claim 1, wherein the foredeck includes a seating area. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A boat according to claim 1, wherein the helm console is a center console. ### Claim 7 A hard top for a boat having opposing side walls with gunwales thereon, a foredeck between the side walls and below the gunwales, an extensible and retractable windscreen in front and around the sides of the foredeck, and a helm console behind the foredeck, wherein the hard top is pivotally attachable to respective side walls of the boat via dual hinged arms so that the hard top is selectively erectable and collapsible between: a first configuration in which the hard top is collapsed forwardly to overlap the gunwales to form a platform covering the foredeck; a second configuration in which the hard top is partially erected to form, in combination with the windscreen a cover over and above the foredeck; and a third configuration in which the hard top is fully erected over and above the helm console. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) A boat according to claim 2, wherein the windscreen is slidably mounted to each side wall on linear tracks. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) A boat according to claim 2, wherein the hard top and windscreen are each controllably actuatable between selected positions by one or more actuators. ### Claim 10 (depends on 3) A boat according to claim 3, wherein the hard top and windscreen are each controllably actuatable between selected positions by one or more actuators. ### Claim 11 (depends on 2) A boat according to claim 2, wherein the foredeck includes a seating area. ### Claim 12 (depends on 3) A boat according to claim 3, wherein the foredeck includes a seating area. ### Claim 13 (depends on 4) A boat according to claim 4, wherein the foredeck includes a seating area. ### Claim 14 (depends on 2) A boat according to claim 2, wherein the helm console is a center console. ### Claim 15 (depends on 3) A boat according to claim 3, wherein the helm console is a center console. ### Claim 16 (depends on 4) A boat according to claim 4, wherein the helm console is a center console. ### Claim 17 (depends on 5) A boat according to claim 5, wherein the helm console is a center console.