FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of watercraft and more particularly to a system for protecting a watercraft when the watercraft is against another object such as a dock.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many watercraft such as boats, but more particularly personal watercraft such as jet skis are easily damaged or marred when docked, especially when there are waves that move the watercraft in the watercraft's birth. Many users of personal watercraft keep the personal watercraft on a floating dock or on a boat lift that protects the personal watercraft from damage and marring, but often, the personal watercraft is docked at a marina or other public dock, for example, at a waterfront restaurant. In such, the personal watercraft remains in the water and is tied to the dock to keep the personal watercraft in place. For larger watercraft, bumpers are often stowed and deployed when tying the watercraft to a dock, cushioning the watercraft from scraping against the dock. These bumpers are typically large, often 18 inches long with a diameter of 4 inches, and these bumpers cannot be folded. Unfortunately, for many personal watercraft, there is little space in the personal watercraft for storing of such bumpers, leaving the personal watercraft at the mercy of moving water pushing the personal watercraft to rub against the dock and, often, damaging or marring the surfaces of the personal watercraft.

What is needed is a protection device that is small enough to fit in a storage associated with the personal watercraft and that, when deployed, will protect the personal watercraft from damage caused by a dock.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a personal watercraft protection device is disclosed including a flexible sheet of material having at least two suction cups interfaced thereto. Each suction cup is connected to the flexible sheet of material for holding the flexible sheet of material to the personal watercraft, for example, either directly affixed to the flexible sheet of material or connected to the flexible sheet of material by a cord.

In another embodiment, an apparatus for protecting a personal watercraft is disclosed including a flexible sheet of material comprising neoprene with two or more suction cups, each connected to a first edge of the flexible sheet of material (the first edge is distal from water when the personal watercraft is deployed in the water). The suction cups are for holding the flexible sheet of material to the personal watercraft. One or more weights are positioned along a second edge of the flexible sheet of material, the second edge being opposite of the first edge.

In another embodiment, an apparatus for protecting a personal watercraft is disclosed including a flexible sheet of material having an inner layer that comprises neoprene and an outer layer that comprises fabric (the inner layer contacts the personal watercraft when the flexible sheet of material is installed on the personal watercraft). There are suction cups connected to a first edge of the flexible sheet of material (the first edge is the edge that is distal from water when the personal watercraft is deployed in the water). The suction cups removably hold the flexible sheet of material to the personal watercraft. There are one or more weights disposed along a second edge of the flexible sheet of material (the second edge is opposite of the first edge).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a watercraft guard.

FIG. 2 illustrates an elevational view of the watercraft guard.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side-elevational view of the watercraft guard.

FIG. 4 illustrates a second side-elevational view of the watercraft guard.

FIG. 5 illustrates an elevational view of the watercraft guard with directly attached cords.

FIG. 6 illustrates an elevational view of the watercraft guard with directly attached suction cups.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side-elevational view of the watercraft guard with directly attached suction cups.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures.

Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a watercraft guard 100 is shown affixed to a personal watercraft 150 by way of a plurality of suction cups 104. As many personal watercraft 150 have very limited stowage, there is little room for conventional bumpers (not shown). Therefore, when docking the personal watercraft 150, for example, when visiting a location such as a waterfront restaurant, the motion caused by wind, currents, and waves will move the personal watercraft 150, causing the personal watercraft 150 to rub against surfaces of the dock (not shown). To reduce any damage caused by the personal watercraft 150 rubbing against the surfaces of the dock, the watercraft guard 100 is installed on a side of the personal watercraft 150 that abuts the dock and, therefore, the watercraft guard 100 cushions the personal watercraft 150 to reduce damage caused by rubbing against the dock.

Upon departing from the dock, the watercraft guard 100 is preferably removed from the personal watercraft 150 and, as the watercraft guard 100 is foldable/rollable, the watercraft guard 100 will stow within a limited space provided by the personal watercraft 150 or other available storage locations such as in a backpack.

The watercraft guard 100 includes a flexible sheet of material 102 that, when deployed, is positioned between the dock and a surface of the personal watercraft 150. The flexible sheet of material 102 is made from one or more materials that provide a cushion that reduces bumping and rubbing between the dock and a surface of the personal watercraft 150.

To facilitate installation and removal of the watercraft guard 100, the watercraft guard 100 includes a plurality of suction cups 104 that are interfaced to the flexible sheet of material 102 such that, the suction cups are positionable about the surface of the personal watercraft 150. In some embodiments, the suction cups 104 are interfaced to the flexible sheet of material 102 by cords 106. In some such embodiments, the cords 106 feed through holes/grommets 112 (e.g., metal grommets) in the flexible sheet of material 102 as shown in FIGS. 1-4. In some embodiments, the cords 106 are affixed at one end directly to the flexible sheet of material 102 as shown in FIG. 5. In some embodiments, the suction cups 104 are affixed directly to the flexible sheet of material 102 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. In some embodiments, the flexible sheet of material 102 is weighted along a bottom edge (distal from where the cords 106 meet the flexible sheet of material 102). Such weights help keep the flexible sheet of material 102 in place during breezy conditions.

As, in some embodiments, the flexible sheet of material 102 has limited tear resistance, in some embodiments, a reinforcing material 108 is adhered to the flexible sheet of material 102 surrounding the holes/grommets 112 (with or without a grommet) through which the cords 106 pass. It is anticipated that the reinforcing material 108 be any suitable fabric that will reduce tearing of the flexible sheet of material 102 during deployment, removal, and exposure to the elements such as rain and wind. It is preferred that the reinforcing material 108 has limited stretching properties and is weather resistant. Examples of the reinforcing fabric are marine vinyl and faux leather.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, elevational views of the watercraft guard 100 are shown. In these views, the reinforcing material 108 is shown adhered to the flexible sheet of material 102 around the holes/grommets 112 (with or without a grommet). It is anticipated that the reinforcing material 108 be adhered to the flexible sheet of material 102 by any way known in the industry including using adhesives, glue, ultrasonic welding, and/or stitching. In some embodiments, the reinforcing fabric includes a metal grommet for added strength. The cords 106 attach to the suction cups 104 by any way known in the industry, including tying a knot in the cords 106, cords 106 that form a fixed loop, cords 106 made into a loop by affixing the ends of the cords 106 to each other, etc. In some embodiments, optional cord length adjusters 110 are provided to adjust the length of the cords 106 so that the cords 106 attach to the desired locations of a variety of sizes and styles of personal watercraft 150.

In FIG. 3, a side view of one anticipated flexible sheet of material 102 is shown. In this example, the flexible sheet of material 102 is made of layers, in this case an outer layer 105 made, for example, of fabric and an inner layer 107, made of a cushion-like material such as neoprene. In FIG. 4, a side view of another anticipated flexible sheet of material 102 is shown. In this example, the flexible sheet of material 102 is made of a single layer of material, preferably made of a cushion-like material such as neoprene. Note that there is no limitation on the types of material and the number of layers of materials used to fabricate the flexible sheet of material 102. It is preferred that at least one of the materials provides cushioning for when the personal watercraft 150 bumps against another object such as a dock, another watercraft, a piling, etc.

In embodiments in which the flexible sheet of material 102 includes a single layer of material, although all flexible materials made of materials such as rubber (natural and/or synthetic, foam, polyvinylchloride (PVC), and vinyl are anticipated, some examples of such material are elastane (Lycra®), thermocline, silicone, neoprene, Ariaprene®, nitrile, polyvinylchloride PVC, cork, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), foam, and thermoplastic elastomers (TPE).

In embodiments in which the flexible sheet of material 102 includes multiple layers of materials, outer layer(s) are anticipated to be made of materials such as cloth or laminates, rubber (natural and/or synthetic, foam, polyvinylchloride (PVC), and vinyl examples of which are polyurethane laminate (PUL), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), extra-long staple (ELS Cotton), polyester, nylon, oilcloth, microfiber material, and wool. It is also anticipated that any layers of the flexible sheet of material 102 by made of materials such as rubber (natural and/or synthetic, foam, polyvinylchloride (PVC), and vinyl are anticipated, some examples of such material are elastane (Lycra®), thermocline, silicone, neoprene, Ariaprene®, nitrile, polyvinylchloride PVC, cork, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), foam, and thermoplastic elastomers (TPE).

Referring to FIG. 5, an elevational view of the watercraft guard 100 with cords 106 that are directly attached to the flexible sheet of material 102 is shown. In this embodiment, the cords 106 are directly affixed to the flexible sheet of material 102 by any known attachment mechanism, including, but not limited to, sewing the cords 106 to the flexible sheet of material 102, adhering the cords 106 to the flexible sheet of material 102, connecting the cords 106 to the flexible sheet of material 102 using a pad 128 (either sewn, affixed with an adhesive, or both), etc.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, elevational views of the watercraft guard 100 with suction cups 104 that are directly attached to the flexible sheet of material 102 is shown. In this embodiment, the cords 106 are absent and the suction cups 104 are directly affixed to the flexible sheet of material 102 by any known attachment mechanism, including, but not limited to, press-fitting the suction cups 104 into holes formed in the flexible sheet of material 102, adhering the suction cups 104 to the flexible sheet of material 102, using a fastener that passes through the flexible sheet of material 102 and into a base of the suction cups 104, etc.

It should be noted that the length and height of the flexible sheet of material 102 is anticipated to be made to match the intended personal watercraft 150 as personal watercraft 150 come in many different lengths and heights. Although show as a substantially rectangular flexible sheet of material 102, there is no restriction as to the overall outer-shape of the flexible sheet of material 102. For example, in some embodiments, the flexible sheet of material 102 is substantially rectangular allowing for symmetrical use on either side of the personal watercraft 150 while in some embodiments, the area that covers the seat area of the personal watercraft 150 is narrower, allowing for a driver of the personal watercraft 150 to exit the personal watercraft 150 without tripping over a high edge of the flexible sheet of material 102.

Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result.

It is believed that the system and method as described and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.