Gate System for a Pontoon Boat

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/837,195, filed Jun. 10, 2022, which application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/216,417, filed on Jun. 29, 2021, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for an above deck gate system for a pontoon boat and, more particularly, to a gate system with a guide and a guide interface member for a pontoon boat.

Pontoon boats often have an enclosure system supported by the deck that serves as a boundary of a passenger compartment of the pontoon boat, with a wall and a number of gates positioned around the enclosure system. Traditional gate systems require a user to life the gate from a catch, and then manually swing the gate open. However, once opened the gate may swing freely, and users may be required to lift the gate again to close it.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a pontoon boat is provided. The pontoon boat comprising: a plurality of pontoons; a deck supported by the plurality of pontoons; an enclosure system supported by the deck, the enclosure system including a wall, a gate support structure of the pontoon boat including the wall of the enclosure system and the deck; the enclosure system further including a gate system including a gate rotatably coupled to the gate support structure, wherein the gate is movable from a first position to a second position, and a guide system supported by the plurality of pontoons, the guide system including a guide and a guide interface member, a first portion of the guide system is coupled to the gate, a second portion of the guide system is coupled to the gate supporting structure of the pontoon boat independent of the gate, the first portion being moveable relative to the second portion guide, wherein the guide interface member of the guide system slides along a surface of the guide to bias the gate from the first position to the second position.

In an example thereof, the second portion of the guide system includes the guide and the first portion of the guide system includes the guide interface member. In a variation thereof, the guide comprises a guide trough configured to receive the guide interface member. In a further variation thereof, the second position is an open position and in the second position the guide interface member is received within the guide trough. In yet a further variation thereof, in the second position the gate has an opening angle from 30° to 180°. In still a further variation thereof, the second position the gate has an opening angle from 30° to 120°. In another variation thereof, the guide is coupled to the deck within an interior of the enclosure system. In a further variation thereof, the gate is movable from the second position to a third position and in the third position the gate has a greater opening angle than in the second position. In yet a further variation thereof, the guide comprises a first guide trough and a second guide trough, each of which are configured to receive the guide interface member, in the second position the guide interface member is received within the first guide trough, and in the third position the guide interface member is received within the second guide trough. In still a further variation thereof, the guide comprises a guide trough configured to receive the guide interface member, in the second position the guide interface member is received in the guide trough, and in the third position the guide interface member is positioned at a greater opening angle than the guide trough.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a pontoon boat is provided. The pontoon boat comprising: a plurality of pontoons; a deck supported by the plurality of pontoons; an enclosure system supported by the deck, the enclosure system including a wall, a gate support structure of the pontoon boat including the wall of the enclosure system and the deck; the enclosure system further including a gate system including a gate rotatably coupled to the gate support structure, wherein the gate is movable from a first position wherein the gate is parallel with an adjacent portion of the wall to a second position and from the second position to a third position wherein the gate is angled relative to the adjacent portion of the wall at an angle, the angle being between 30° and 180°; the gate system further including a guide supported by the deck independent of the gate, the guide having a sloped surface; and a guide interface member carried by the gate and configured to interface with the sloped surface to move the gate from the third position to the second position in the circumstance of a lateral force being applied to the gate.

In an example thereof, the gate moves vertically relative to the adjacent wall portion when moved to or from the second position.

In another example thereof, the gate system further comprising a gate catch configured to maintain the gate in the first position.

In yet another example thereof, the first position is a closed position, the second position is a lifted position, and the third position is an open position. In a variation thereof, in the second position, the gate remains parallel with the adjacent portion of the wall.

In still another example thereof, the gate is movable from the second position to the third position without an applied force from a user.

In a further still example thereof, the guide interface member is configured to interface with the sloped surface to bias the gate from the second position to the third position.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of moving a gate is provided. The method comprising: lifting a gate from a closed position to a lifted position; positioning a guide interface member carried by the gate the gate over a guide supported by the deck; releasing the gate; sliding the guide interface member along a surface of the guide towards a stopped open position; and receiving the guide interface member within a guide trough of the guide in the stopped open position.

In an example thereof, the method further comprises the step of moving the gate from the stopped open position to the lifted position by applying a lateral force to the gate, wherein the guide interface member biases the gate upward by interfacing with the guide when the lateral force is applied.

In another example thereof, the method further comprises the step of moving the gate from the stopped open position to a further open position by applying a lateral force to the gate, wherein the guide interfacing member biases the gate upward by interfacing with the guide when the lateral force is applied.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the invention and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference is now made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, which are described below. The embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to be exhaustive or limit the present disclosure to the precise form disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may utilize their teachings. Therefore, no limitation of the scope of the present disclosure is thereby intended. Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

The terms “couples”, “coupled”, “coupler” and variations thereof are used to include both arrangements wherein the two or more components are in direct physical contact and arrangements wherein the two or more components are not in direct contact with each other (e.g., the components are “coupled” via at least a third component), but yet still cooperate or interact with each other.

In some instances throughout this disclosure and in the claims, numeric terminology, such as first, second, third, and fourth, is used in reference to various components or features. Such use is not intended to denote an ordering of the components or features. Rather, numeric terminology is used to assist the reader in identifying the component or features being referenced and should not be narrowly interpreted as providing a specific order of components or features.

Referring first to, a pontoon boatis shown. Pontoon boatincludes a driving system(e.g. a motor), a number of pontoons, a deckcoupled to and supported by the pontoons, and an enclosure systemcoupled to and supported by the deck. Enclosure systemincludes a wall. Wallmay be comprised of multiple sections and include posts, rails, panels, and other components which extend above deckto present a boundary. In, wallgenerally surrounds an occupant areaof pontoon boat. Occupant areaincludes seatingfor one or more passengers and an operator stationwhich includes controls to steer pontoon boatand to control driving system. Occupant area may additionally include tables, flooring, storage space, or any other boat features as are known in the art.

In embodiments, walldoes not surround occupant area, rather one or more gaps are provided in wall. In examples, these gaps remain unfilled and that portion of deckallows unrestricted passage between occupant areaand the remainder of deck. In examples, one or more of these gaps are filled by a gate systemincluding a gate(see).

Gateof gate systemis coupled to a gate support structure of pontoon boat. The gate support structure includes any component of boatthat is supported by the plurality of pontoons and not swingable with gate. For example, deckand wallare part of the gate support structure.

A gateis generally configured to be opened and closed for users to pass through when moving between the interior and exterior of boat. While the illustrated embodiment shows two gateson boat, any number of gate systemsand gatesmay be used. Gatesmay be solid or have one or more openings therethrough.

Referring now to, gate systemis illustrated. Gate systemincludes a gate, a gate catch, a guide, and a guide interface member. Gateis rotatably coupled to an adjacent portion of wallthrough a hinge. As will be described in more detail herein, gate catchholds gatein a closed position until a user lifts gatein directionabove an upper edgegate catchand pushes or pulls gatetowards an open position. Hinge, as is known in the art, is designed to permit gateto be moved vertically in directions,.

Guideis coupled to the gate support structure of boat, illustratively to deckwith a fastener (see). Guide interface memberis coupled to and carried by gate. Once gateis lifted by a user in direction(see) a lower edge of guide interface memberis positioned vertically higher than guide. If gateis rotated by the user about hinge(axis A) in directionguide interface membermay be positioned over guideand lowered in directionto contact guide. The user may then release gate. Once released, the weight of gatewill bias guide interface membertowards guide(if not already contacting guide) and guidewill bias gatetowards an open position (see). A user may move gatebeyond the open position (see). To close gate, a user may apply a lateral force (push or pull) to gatetowards the closed position without lifting gate, and guidewill bias gateupward to clear gate catchand allow gateto close.

In, gateis shown in a closed position, which may also be referred to as a first position. Gateillustratively includes a gate frame, an upper rail, and a gate panel. Gategenerally extends vertically between an upper endand a lower end, and horizontally between a first endand a second end. Gateis rotatably coupled to a postof an adjacent portion of wallof enclosure systemthrough hingeproximate second endwhich allows for rotation of gatearound the axis Aof hingein directionsand. Upper railmay act as a handle or interactive member for a user to grab or interact with gateto actuate a movement of gaterelative to the adjacent portion of wallof enclosure system. For example, a user may grab or otherwise contact upper railto lift, push, or pull gate. Gatemay also include additional interactive features or components not illustrated, such as handles, knobs, latches, recesses, buttons, locking mechanisms, bumpers, grip surfaces, coatings, and any other feature found on gates. Additionally, gateand/or the gate support structure may include biasing members to bias gatetowards an open or closed position, such as springs. Gatemay also comprise biasing members to bias gateupwards or downwards between lifted and non-lifted positions.

Gate panelmay be a skin used in pontoon boat enclosures, and may be comprised of sheet metal, polymer, wood, or any other suitable material configured to extend between members of gate frame. Further, gate panelmay be flat or contoured. While gateis illustrated as a gate with frameand gate panel, gatemay comprise any gate or door structure as is known in the art.

Referring to, Gate catchretains gatein a closed position and comprises at least one stopping member. Stopping memberis configured to interact with at least a portion of gateto prevent movement of gatebeyond a threshold. In the illustrated embodiment, gate catchcomprises two stopping members(See) to prevent gatefrom opening outward or inward while positioned between the two stopping members. In the illustrated embodiment, the inboard stopping memberhas a height Hwhile the outboard stopping memberhas a second height higher than H. The outboard stopping memberacts as a stop. In other embodiments each stopping memberhas the same height or for outboard swinging gates the inboard stopping memberhas a higher height than the outboard stopping member. Gate catchmay be coupled to wallof enclosure systemand/or deckthrough any fastening system known in the art, including but not limited to screws, bolts, rivets, nails, adhesives, welds, integral coupling features, and any other suitable coupling mechanism. Additionally, gate catchmay be integral to the deckand/or a portion of enclosure system.

Referring now to, gateis shown in a lifted position, which may also be referred to as a first position (relative to an open position) or a second position (relative to a closed, lowered position). In order to open gate, a user may lift gateupward in direction(illustrated as direction D) (which is generally parallel with axis A) by a height that the lower extent of lower endof gateis positioned above stopping member. Once lifted, gatemay no longer be retained within gate catchand may swing freely about axis A. In the illustrated embodiments, gateis shown as opening inward relative to the boat, but gatemay be opened inwardly or outwardly based on the configuration of hinge.

Referring to, guideand guide interface memberare shown, which are both positioned proximate the second endof gate. In other embodiments, guideand guide interface membermay be positioned anywhere along gatebetween first endand second end. Guidecomprises a guide body, an upper edge, a guide surface, a fastening feature, a guide trough, a guide stop, and a guide mounting plate. Guidegenerally extends from deckto upper edge. Guideis generally shaped as a ramp or a cam, with guide surfacesloping downward from upper edgetowards guide trough. The slope of guide surfacemay be constant or variable along its length, and guide surfacemay comprise any curved, or straight profile at any point along its length. In the illustrated embodiment, the slope of guide surfaceis greater near guide troughthan upper edge. Guidemay be mounted to deckthrough fastening feature. Fastening featuremay be configured to receive a fastener such as a screw, bolt, rivet, nail, pin, or any other suitable fastening device to couple guideto deck. Any number of fastening featuresmay be present on guide. Guidemay also be mounted to deckthrough guide mounting plate. Guide mounting platemay be configured to provide support for guide, and may also comprise fastening features to couple guideto deck. In addition to fastening features, guidemay be coupled to deckthrough any other suitable fastening systems, such as adhesives, welds, protrusions/detents, latches, clips, or any other fastening system. Additionally, guidemay be integral to the deck. Guidemay be composed of a metal, polymer, natural products (e.g. wood), or any other suitable material as well as combinations thereof (e.g. polymer coated metal), and may be manufactured through any process as is known in the art such as molding, machining, welding, casting, and additive manufacturing.

Guide interface membercomprises an interfacing body, an interfacing surface, a mounting plateincluding a plurality of fastening features. Guide interface memberis generally coupled proximate lower endof gateand extends at least partially below lower end. Guide interface membermay be coupled to gatethrough fastening featureson mounting plate. Mounting platemay be aligned with a portion of gateand fastening featuresmay interact with any fastener to couple guide interface memberto gate, such as a screw, bolt, rivet, nail, pin, or any other suitable fastening device. Guide interface membermay also couple with gatethrough any other suitable fastening systems, such as adhesives, welds, protrusions/detents, latches, clips, or any other fastening system. Additionally, guide interface membermay comprise a mounting featureto interact with another surface on gate. In the illustrated embodiment, mounting featureinterfaces with a lower side of gatesuch that guide interface memberinterfaces with gateon two sides. Mounting featuremay provide additional structural support to guide interface member, and/or may aid in coupling guide interface memberto gate. Mounting featuremay comprise fastening featuresand may couple with gatein the same ways that mounting platemay couple with gate. Additionally, guide interface membermay be integral to the gate. Guide interface membermay be composed of a metal, polymer, natural products (e.g. wood), or any other suitable material as well as combinations thereof (e.g. polymer coated metal), and may be manufactured through any process as is known in the art such as molding, machining, welding, casting, and additive manufacturing.

When gateis in a closed, non-lifted position as shown in, the lower extent of interfacing bodyis positioned below upper edgeof guide. Upper edgemay have a height relative to deckof Hor less than H, such that when gateis lifted as shown in, and lower endis at or above H(and therefore at or above stopping member), the lower extent of interfacing bodymay be positioned at or above upper edge.

Referring now to, gatemay be rotated in direction(designated Rin) towards an open position. An open position may be any position that is not a closed position, encompassing any degree of opening greater or less than zero degrees relative to a closed position. Stated differently, an open position may encompass an opening angle from −180° to −1° and from 1° to 180°, relative to a closed position (where a negative angle may indicate an outward opening, and a positive angle may indicate an inward opening). An opening angle as used herein refers to the angle between gateand the adjacent portion of wallcoupled to hingeat an open position relative the closed position, such that when gateis closed it has an opening angle of approximately 0°. An open position may be referred to as a second position (relative to a lowered closed position or a lifted closed position) or as a third position (relative to a lowered closed position). Once gateis opened to a degree such that interfacing bodyextends at least partially over guide surfaceof guide, gatemay be lowered such that interfacing surfacemay contact guide surface. Gatemay be released by a user, and guidewill then bias guide interface member, and gateto which guide interface memberis coupled, towards a stopped open position defined by the positioning of guide troughand guide stop. The ramped surfaceof guide bodybiases interfacing bodyto move towards guide troughas interfacing bodymoves downward under the weight of gate. Guide surfaceand interfacing surfacemay be composed of relatively smooth materials with low coefficients of friction to allow for easy sliding of interfacing surfacealong guide surface. Additionally, guide surfaceand/or interfacing surfacemay comprise a coating to reduce friction between guide surfaceand interfacing surface. Interfacing bodyand guide bodymay comprise a generally curved cross-section or profile to allow for smooth sliding without facets or edges. In embodiments, one of guideand guide interface membermay includes wheels to aid in the relative movement therebetween.

Referring now to, interfacing bodymay slide towards guide troughwhich may be positioned at the bottom of the downwardly sloped portion of guide body. Interfacing bodymay be configured to interact with guide troughsuch that interfacing bodymay be received within guide trough. Interfacing bodymay slow or stop sliding once interfacing bodyenters guide troughand contacts guide stop. Interfacing bodymay slide up guide stopslightly to slow the movement of guide interface member, and interfacing bodymay then slide back down guide stopto rest in guide trough. Once interfacing bodyis stopped within guide trough, gatemay be in a stopped open position, wherein in a stopped open position gateis held at a particular opening angle. As used herein, an “open position” encompasses a “stopped open position”. In the illustrated embodiment, guideand guide interface memberare configured to provide a stopped open position at an open angle of approximately 90°. Accordingly, when a user lifts gateand positions interfacing bodyabove guide body, the user may release gateand guideand guide interface memberwill guide gatetowards the stopped open position at approximately 90°. In embodiments, different angles for the stopped open position may be implemented by altering the location of guide trough. In embodiments, the stopped open position may be at an angle in the range of 30° to 180°, in the range of 30° to 120°, in the range of 45° to 180°, in the range of 75° to 180°, in the range of 90° to 180°, or other suitable angles.

Additionally, in the illustrated embodiments interfacing bodyis generally aligned with/parallel to mounting plateand gate, such that when interfacing bodyis received in guide trough, interfacing body, mounting plate, and gateare all aligned with guide troughand have the same or similar opening angles. In some embodiments, interfacing bodymay be angled relative to gateand/or mounting plateand may also be spaced apart from gateand/or mounting platesuch that when interfacing bodyis received in guide trough, interfacing bodymay be at a different opening angle than gateand/or mounting plate. For example, guide troughmay be positioned at an opening angle of approximately 180° and interfacing bodymay be angled approximately 90° relative to mounting plateand gate, such that when interfacing bodyis received in guide troughinterfacing bodyhas an opening angle of approximately 180° but gatehas an opening angle of approximately 90°.

Guidemay extend further than shown in the illustrated embodiments, and guide troughmay be positioned anywhere along guide. Additionally, guidemay comprise multiple guide troughssuch that gatemay be biased toward multiple different stopped open locations. In such embodiments, guidemay comprise multiple guide stopsbetween guide troughs. For example, guidemay extend along the entire opening range of gate(e.g. −180 to 0° and 0° to 180° or 0° to 180°) and may comprise multiple guide troughsat multiple opening angles such as 30°, 45°, 60°, 120°, and/or 180°. Guide troughsmay be present for inward and/or outward opening angles, since guidemay extend fully through the opening range of gate.

Additionally, gate systemmay comprise multiple guides. For example, gate systemmay comprise an inward guide for opening the gate inward, in the direction R, and an outward guide for opening the gate outward, in the direction opposite R. In such an embodiment, each guide may independently comprise one or multiple guide troughsand may have the same features and functionality as described above with respect to a single guide. The inward guide may be discontinuous from the outward guide, or they may be coupled together or integral with one another. When gateis positioned in a closed, lowered position, interfacing bodymay be positioned between the two guides. In such an embodiment, gate catchmay be omitted from gate system, since interfacing bodyand the two guides may restrain movement of gatein a closed position.

Referring still togatemay be moved from a stopped open position towards another open position, towards another stopped open position, and/or towards a closed position without a user lifting gate. In other words, gatemay be lifted to be closed through only a lateral force acting on gate, such as pushing or pulling in a direction perpendicular to the plane of gate. Pushing or pulling on gatemay cause interfacing bodyto slide up a curved surface of guidesuch as up guide surfaceor the top of guide stop, thereby lifting gateas it rotates. Gatemay be closed from an open position by pushing or pulling gatefrom an open position towards a closed position, and guidemay bias guide interface memberand gate, upward such that the lower extent of lower endis above Hand gatemay pass over stopping memberof gate catch. Once past stopping member, gatemay lower into gate catchunder its own weight thereby placing gatein a closed, lowered position.

As shown best in, gatemay be moved to an angle beyond that of guide trough, such that interfacing bodypasses over guide stop. Gateas shown inhas an obtuse opening angle relative to the adjacent portion of wallabout hinge. When gateis moved beyond guide trough, gatemay swing or rotate freely, or may be biased back towards guide troughby guide stopor guide surface. In some embodiments where guidedoes not extend along the entire opening angle range of gate, interfacing bodyand/or gatemay be moved beyond the extent of guide. In some embodiments, a portion of interfacing bodymay still contact a portion of guide stopwhen gateis opened beyond guide trough. Guide stopmay be generally curved or sloped, similar to guide surface, to allow for movement of interfacing bodyalong the surface ofwithout lifting from a user or without catching any facets or edges. In the illustrated embodiment, guide stophas a steeper slope between than at least a portion of guide surface.

Referring to, in summary gatemay be opened by lifting gatein a direction D, opening gatean amount in the direction Rto position interfacing bodyabove guide body, and releasing gate, allowing guideto guide gateto a further opening angle, and receiving interfacing bodyin guide troughto bring gateto a stopped opening position. Gatemay be opened beyond the stopped opening position defined by guide troughand may be opened to multiple stopped opening positions with multiple guide troughsand/or multiple guides. Gatemay be closed from an open position without requiring a user to life gateby moving gatein a direction towards a closed position and sliding interfacing bodyup guide surfacethereby biasing gateupward and enter a closed position.

While this invention has been described as having exemplary designs, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains.