Coupler for attaching an accessory to a boat rail
Couplers for attachment to a protrusion extending outward from a portion of a boat is provided. The coupler may comprise a base having an opening adapted to receive the protrusion, the base having a locked position and an unlocked position. The base being translatable along a first direction between the unlocked position and the locked position. The coupler may further comprise a retainer positioned to hold the base in the locked position; and an accessory support extending outward from the base in a second direction angled relative to the first direction.
1 . A coupler comprising:
a base having an opening adapted to receive a protrusion extending outward from a portion of a boat, the base having a locked position and an unlocked position, the base being translatable along a first direction between the unlocked position and the locked position;
wherein the portion of the boat includes a rail supported on a horizontally extending deck and the rail is horizontally located between an edge of the horizontally extending deck and furniture supported on the horizontally extending deck;
a retainer having:
a ridge with a cam surface;
wherein, upon contact with the protrusion, the cam surface is configured to actuate the retainer with translation of the base along the first direction; and
wherein the ridge is configured to hold the base in the locked position;
an accessory support extending outward from the base in a second direction angled relative to the first direction; and
an adapter position between the base and the rail.
2 . The coupler of claim 1 , wherein the portion of the boat has a longitudinal axis and the first direction is parallel to the longitudinal axis.
3 . The coupler of claim 1 , wherein the accessory support includes a receiver which is adapted to retain an accessory.
4 . The coupler of claim 3 , wherein the accessory is a fender.
5 . The coupler of claim 1 , wherein the retainer includes a handle and the ridge for securing the base in the locked position.
6 . The coupler of claim 1 , wherein the retainer is hinged relative to the base of the coupler.
7 . The coupler of claim 1 , wherein the second direction is angled relative to the first direction in a horizontal plane.
8 . The coupler of claim 7 , wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.
9 . The coupler of claim 1 , wherein the opening of the base includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being larger than the second portion.
10 . The coupler of claim 1 , wherein the base and the retainer are integrally formed.
11 . A method of supporting an accessory, the method comprising:
positioning a coupler onto a protrusion of a boat, the coupler including:
a base moveable between a locked position relative to a rail and an unlocked position relative to the rail;
a retainer configured to hold the base in the locked position; and
an accessory support;
moving the coupler in a first direction to position the base in the locked position relative to the rail; and
positioning the base in the locked position includes:
contacting the protrusion with the retainer; and
actuating the retainer of the coupler with a cam surface of the retainer to secure the locked position.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the step of moving the coupler includes translating the coupler in the first direction.
13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the protrusion is coupled to the rail of the boat, the rail positioned adjacent to at least one piece of furniture.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the movement of the coupler to position the base in the locked position relative to the rail without the coupler contacting the at least one piece of furniture.
15 . The method of claim 11 , wherein positioning the coupler onto the protrusion includes receiving the protrusion in an aperture.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the aperture is included in the base, and positioning the coupler includes aligning the aperture with an opening of the rail and an opening of the protrusion.
17 . The method of claim 16 , where after positioning of the coupler onto the protrusion and aligning the aperture with the opening of the rail, the method includes inserting a securing element through the protrusion and through the opening of the rail.
18 . The method of claim 11 , including attaching an accessory to the accessory support of the coupler.
19 . The method of claim 11 , wherein prior to attaching an accessory, the accessory support is removed and replaced with an alternate accessory support.
20 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the retainer includes a handle hinged relative to the base.
21 . The method of claim 20 , wherein before translating the coupler, the method comprises moving the handle in a third direction to allow movement of the coupler.