Vertically adjustable pedestal for boat accessory

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11028963-B2
Application number	US-201916423628-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 28, 2019
Priority date	May 28, 2019
Publication date	Jun 8, 2021
Grant date	Jun 8, 2021

Abstract

A vertically adjustable pedestal for a boat accessory includes a hollow outer column and an inner column positioned within the outer column. The inner and outer columns are longitudinally slidable with respect to one another. A plate is captured between the inner and outer columns. The plate is laterally adjustable to create a frictional force between the inner and outer columns that prevents lateral movement therebetween. One of the inner and outer columns is configured to be connected to a supporting surface of a boat. The other of the inner and outer columns is configured to be connected to the boat accessory.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A vertically adjustable pedestal for a boat accessory, the pedestal comprising:
a hollow outer column;
an inner column positioned within the outer column, wherein the inner and outer columns are slidable with respect to one another in a longitudinal direction of the pedestal;
a first plate captured between the inner and outer columns at a first location, wherein the first plate is laterally adjustable with respect to the inner and outer columns to create a frictional force between the inner and outer columns that prevents lateral movement therebetween, wherein a surface of the first plate has a first groove therein extending in the longitudinal direction, and wherein a surface of one of the inner and outer columns that faces the surface of the first plate has a second groove therein extending in the longitudinal direction, the first and second grooves facing one another;
a first rod extending in the longitudinal direction and captured within the first and second grooves, wherein the first rod is made of a material with a lower coefficient of friction than a material of which the inner and outer columns are made; and
a second plate captured between the inner and outer columns at a second location that is different from the first location, wherein the second plate is made of a material with a lower coefficient of friction than the material of which the inner and outer columns are made and has at least one integral protrusion formed on a surface thereof, the at least one integral protrusion extending in the longitudinal direction, and wherein a surface of one of the inner and outer columns that faces the surface of the second plate has at least a third groove therein extending in the longitudinal direction that faces and receives the at least one integral protrusion;
wherein the surface of the first plate has a fourth groove therein extending in the longitudinal direction, wherein the surface of the one of the inner and outer columns that faces the surface of the first plate has a fifth groove therein extending in the longitudinal direction, the fourth and fifth grooves facing one another, and wherein the pedestal comprises a second rod extending in the longitudinal direction and captured within the fourth and fifth grooves, the second rod being made of the material of the first rod and being spaced apart from the first rod;
wherein the pedestal comprises a fastener contacting the first plate, the fastener being configured such that rotation thereof moves the first plate laterally to cause the inner column to wedge against the second plate and thereby adjust the frictional force between the inner and outer columns;
wherein the first plate is made of a material that is stiffer than the material of which the second plate is made; and
wherein one of the inner and outer columns is configured to be connected to a supporting surface of a boat, and the other of the inner and outer columns is configured to be connected to the boat accessory.

2. The pedestal of claim 1 , wherein the inner column has first and second planar outer surfaces extending in the longitudinal direction and facing respective first and second planar inner surfaces of the outer column that extend in the longitudinal direction.

3. The pedestal of claim 2 , wherein the first plate is captured between the first planar outer surface and the first planar inner surface, and the second plate is captured between the second planar outer surface and the second planar inner surface.

4. The pedestal of claim 1 , wherein the inner column has first, second, and third planar outer surfaces extending in the longitudinal direction and facing respective first, second, and third planar inner surfaces of the outer column that extend in the longitudinal direction;
wherein the first plate is captured between the first planar outer surface and the first planar inner surface and the second plate is captured between the second planar outer surface and the second planar inner surface; and
further comprising a third plate captured between the third planar outer surface and the third planar inner surface, wherein the third plate is made of a material with a lower coefficient of friction than the material of which the inner and outer columns are made.

5. The pedestal of claim 1 , further comprising a lifting actuator coupled to the inner column for raising and lowering the inner column with respect to the outer column.

6. The pedestal of claim 1 , wherein the at least one integral protrusion on the second plate comprises first and second integral protrusions, which are spaced apart and extend in the longitudinal direction;
wherein the third groove receives the first integral protrusion; and
wherein the surface of the one of the inner and outer columns that faces the surface of the second plate has a sixth groove therein extending in the longitudinal direction that faces and receives the second integral protrusion.

7. A vertically adjustable pedestal for a boat accessory, the pedestal comprising:
a hollow outer column comprising at least first, second, and third inner surfaces extending in a longitudinal direction of the pedestal;
an inner column positioned within the outer column and comprising at least first, second, and third outer surfaces extending in the longitudinal direction and respectively facing the first, second, and third inner surfaces; and
a first plate positioned between the first inner surface and the first outer surface, a second plate positioned between the second inner surface and the second outer surface, and a third plate positioned between the third inner surface and the third outer surface, wherein the first plate is laterally movable to wedge the second and third outer surfaces of the inner column against the respective second and third plates on the respective second and third inner surfaces of the outer column;
a fastener extending through one of the inner and outer columns and contacting the first plate, wherein the fastener is configured such that rotation thereof moves the first plate laterally; and
a first rod extending in the longitudinal direction and captured between the first plate and the first outer surface within a first groove in the first plate and a second groove in the first outer surface, wherein the first rod is made of a material with a lower coefficient of friction than a material of which the inner and outer columns are made;
wherein the second plate is attached to one of the second inner surface and the second outer surface and has first and second parallel, spaced-apart protrusions formed on a face of the second plate that is not attached to the one of the second inner surface and the second outer surface, the first and second protrusions extending in the longitudinal direction;
wherein the other of the second inner surface and the second outer surface that faces the one of the second inner surface and the second outer surface to which the second plate is attached has third and fourth parallel, spaced-apart grooves respectively facing the first and second protrusions on the face of the second plate;
wherein the first and second protrusions are respectively received within the third and fourth grooves and thereby configured to limit lateral and rotational movement of the inner and outer columns with respect to one another;
wherein the pedestal comprises a second rod extending in the longitudinal direction and captured between the first plate and the first outer surface within a fifth groove in the first plate and a sixth groove in the first outer surface, wherein the second rod is made of the material of the first rod, and wherein the first and second rods are spaced apart from one another;
wherein the second and third plates are made of a material with a lower coe

Assignees

• Brunswick Corp

Inventors

• Hilleren Derek E
• Moore Todd W
• Quiring Christopher P

Classifications

• A47B2220/003

  Height-adjustable feet or gliders for tables or desks · CPC title

• F16M11/28 Primary

  Undercarriages for supports with one single telescoping pillar · CPC title

• B63B2029/043

  Seats; Arrangements thereof on vessels · CPC title

• A47C3/40 Primary

  Telescopic guides · CPC title

• A47C3/26

  with vertical, {or inclined} toothed rack; {with peg-and-notch mechanism} · CPC title