Portable and stowable step for water-borne vessel
US6792887B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 14, 2003 |
| Grant date | Sep 21, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 14, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB63B27/146
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A stowable and extendable step to facilitate entry by a person into a vessel from the water is disclosed. One embodiment comprises a support that may act as a handle and a step, a strap, the lower end of which is attached to the support, and a keeper comprising a substantially planar, foldable piece of material. The upper end of the strap is attached to the vessel, either directly or indirectly. The keeper has upper and lower areas, each with releasable fasteners (such as Velcro) on at least a portion of its perimeter, the fasteners on the upper area complementary to and interlocking with those on the lower area. The lower area of the keeper may thus be folded up and into contact with the upper area, forming an enclosure. The strap is gathered inside said enclosure, with the end attached to the handle extending from the upper junction of the upper and lower areas, such that the handle when pulled will cause the strap to extend and enclosure to open.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.