Pontoon shields

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to pontoon shields. The pontoon shields disclosed herein may, for example, protect pontoons from damage and/or enhance the aesthetic appearance of pontoons. The shields may be fashioned from one or more segments of resilient material configured to attach along a longitudinal aspect of a pontoon. The shields may be fashioned from a single segment, or from one or more segments configured to mate with one another. The shields may be attached to a pontoon, for example, via an adhesive, weld, and/or one or more brackets, or other mechanical means.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pontoon shield comprising:
 a length of resilient material having edge surfaces configured to be attached to an outer arcuate surface of a pontoon, along a longitudinal aspect of the pontoon,   a curvilinear outer surface, and   a concentric curvilinear inner surface, the inner surface configured to define, with the outer surface of the pontoon, a generally hemi-cylindrical chamber; and   a front segment and a rear segment that close off front and rear ends, respectively,   of the chamber.   
     
     
         2 . The pontoon shield of  claim 1 , wherein the length of resilient material is formed of a natural or synthetic rubber to allow the shield to resiliently deflect upon impact and return to its original shape after impact. 
     
     
         3 . The pontoon shield of  claim 1 , wherein the edge surfaces carry an adhesive configured to seal the outer edges to the outer surface of the pontoon so as to form a seal effective to prevent water from penetrating between the shield and the pontoon into the chamber. 
     
     
         4 . The pontoon shield of  claim 3 , wherein the adhesive is provided in the form of an adhesive tape. 
     
     
         5 . The pontoon shield of  claim 4 , wherein the adhesive tape comprises acrylic tape. 
     
     
         6 . The pontoon shield of  claim 1 , wherein the length of resilient material comprises one or more of: natural or synthetic rubbers, polymers, ceramics, and plastics. 
     
     
         7 . The pontoon shield of  claim 1 , wherein the length of resilient material has a cross-sectional thickness from 0.8 mm to 5 mm thick. 
     
     
         8 . The pontoon shield of  claim 1 , wherein the length of resilient material measures between  3  to  5  inches wide. 
     
     
         9 . The pontoon shield of  claim 1 , wherein the cross-sectional thickness of the length of resilient material is from 0.1 to 1.0 inches. 
     
     
         10 . The pontoon shield of  claim 1  further comprising one or more brackets configured to attach the length of resilient material to the outer surface of the pontoon. 
     
     
         11 . The pontoon shield of  claim 10 , wherein the length of resilient material comprises a channel or a socket configured to receive one of the one or more brackets. 
     
     
         12 . The pontoon shield of  claim 11 , wherein the cross-sectional shape of the channel or the socket comprises a circle or an L-shape. 
     
     
         13 . The pontoon shield of  claim 1 , wherein the length of resilient material is reinforced with a substantially inductile material. 
     
     
         14 . The pontoon shield of  claim 13 , wherein the substantially inductile material outwardly bisects the resilient material, providing abrasion resistance. 
     
     
         15 . The pontoon shield of  claim 1 , wherein the length of resilient material comprises an outer surface having a splash deflector. 
     
     
         16 . The pontoon shield of  claim 1 , wherein the front segment and rear segment are formed integrally with the length of resilient material. 
     
     
         17 . The pontoon shield of  claim 1 , wherein the front segment and rear segment are joined to the length of resilient material. 
     
     
         18 . The pontoon shield of  claim 17 , wherein the front segment and rear segment are mated to the length of resilient material with interlocking couplings. 
     
     
         19 . The pontoon shield of  claim 1 , wherein the length of resilient material comprises a plurality of segments, mated together by coupling elements.