Method and apparatus for reconfigurable pontoon boat fencing

Abstract

A method, apparatus, and system for constructing and mounting pontoon boat perimeter fencing that is made of a frame and lightweight, three-dimensional panels that can be easily changed without tools to alter the color, design and styling of the boat. Further, the present invention permits streamlined manufacture by use of uniform, interchangeable panels.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A pontoon boat comprising:
 a fencing system comprising:
 a frame, said frame having a top side, a bottom side and a plurality of side bars extending from said top side to said bottom side; and 
 a plurality of openings located in said frame; and 
   a plurality of panels, each of said panels being inserted into one of said openings,   a plurality of fasteners to hold the panels within said openings,   wherein said panels are held in place without the use of additional tools.   
     
     
         2 . The pontoon boat of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said panels is triangular in shape. 
     
     
         3 . The pontoon boat of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said panels is a quadrilateral. 
     
     
         4 . The pontoon boat of  claim 1 , wherein said panels further comprise a flange located on the edge of each of said panels, said flange generally being the shape of the opening. 
     
     
         5 . The pontoon boat according to  claim 1 , wherein said openings are formed by said top side, said bottom side, and a pair of said side bars. 
     
     
         6 . The pontoon boat according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the side panels is non-polygonal in shape. 
     
     
         7 . A fencing system for a pontoon boat comprising:
 a frame, said frame having a top side, a bottom side and a plurality of side bars extending from said top side to said bottom side; and   a plurality of openings located in said frame, said openings having a perimeter; and   a plurality of panels, each of said panels being inserted into one of said openings, each of said openings having a perimeter;   wherein said panels are held in place without the use of additional tools.   
     
     
         8 . The fencing system according to  claim 7 , wherein the perimeter of each of said panels is substantially the same as the perimeter of one of said openings. 
     
     
         9 . The fencing system according to  claim 7 , wherein said openings and said panels are polygons. 
     
     
         10 . The fencing system according to  claim 9 , wherein the shapes of said openings and said panels are selected from triangles and quadrilaterals. 
     
     
         11 . The fencing system according to  claim 7 , wherein at least one of the shapes of said openings and said panels are non-polygonal. 
     
     
         12 . The fencing system of  claim 7  further comprising a plurality of fasteners to hold the panels within the openings. 
     
     
         13 . The fencing system of  claim 7  wherein said openings are formed by said top side, said bottom side, and a pair of said side bars, 
     
     
         14 . A method of making a pontoon boat comprising the steps of:
 mounting a frame onto a pontoon boat deck, wherein said frame comprises:
 a top side, a bottom side and a plurality of side bars extending from said top side to said bottom side; and 
 a plurality of openings located in said frame, said openings formed by said top side, said bottom side, and a pair of said side bars; 
   inserting into at least one of said openings a panel; and   securing said panel in place without the use of tools.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said panels are essentially the same size as the openings in said frame. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising the step of:
 removing the panel without the use of tools. 
 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising the step of
 securing another panel into said opening where said removed panel was located.