WO2012064254A1

WO2012064254A1 - Mounting arrangement for deck equipment

Info

Publication number: WO2012064254A1
Application number: PCT/SE2011/051250
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jan Karlsson; Christer Bernson
Original assignee: SELDéN MAST AB
Priority date: 2010-11-09
Filing date: 2011-10-20
Publication date: 2012-05-18
Also published as: SE535358C2; SE1051169A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mounting arrangement (100) for mounting of deck equipment (50) onto an upper side of a deck of a boat, which comprises a first mounting element (10) with an outer circumferential element (11) provided with at least one elongate recess (13) adapted to receive a threaded fastening element (40) which has a free end for introduction into the deck of the boat so as to become accessible from the underside of the deck of the boat. The outer circumferential element has a contact surface (Hi) adapted to bear against the upper side of a deck, the recess (13) is a through recess and comprises a receiving opening facing away from the outer circumference of the circumferential element forming a limiting surface (12) and through which a fastening element can be introduced. The mounting arrangement (100) furthermore comprises a separate second mounting element (20) which is adapted for being arranged on the first mounting element (10) and to form a limiting element for a fastening element introduced into said recess (13), at least against axial movement.

Description

MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT FOR DECK EQUIPMENT

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a mounting arrangement for mounting of deck equipment onto an upper side of a deck of a boat. It comprises a first mounting element which is connected to, adapted to be connectable to, or formed integrally with the deck equipment. The deck equipment may comprise in principle any equipment which is used for a functional purpose and which needs to be attached to a deck of a boat, such as winches, rope clutches, cleats, rails etc. The first mounting element comprises an outer circumferential element. Said outer circumferential element comprises a number of recesses, or seats, which are adapted to take up respective fastening elements comprising a head and a pin part. The recesses or the seats are so formed that the fastening elements, in a mounted position, have a free end protruding in a

direction substantially perpendicular to a lower contact surface, and they are formed to allow insertion into respective through holes in the boat deck, so that the free ends will be accessible from the underside of the boat deck.

STATE OF THE ART

Several different arrangements for mounting of for example winches or other appliances are known. Many different requirements are to be met when mounting deck equipment. First, the equipment, and thereby also the mounting arrangement, is exposed to, in general high, forces, radially as well as axially. Second, the equipment is mounted in an exposed environment, insofar that it is mounted externally on a boat deck and is exposed to heat as well as to cold weather, dirt and wet. The consequences thereof are that the equipment both has to be mounted in a secure manner and conveniently be as well protected as possible against external impact such as penetrating dirt and eventually, at least to some extent, penetrating water. Furthermore there is an aesthetical aspect which is not to be neglected as far as for example sailing boats are concerned.

It is furthermore desirable that the equipment and the mounting arrangement respectively allows mounting in an easy and secure manner and, as far as possible, only requires one operator. It is well known to use functional fastening elements, screws or bolts, which are inserted into holes in a frame of the equipment and into

corresponding holes in the deck itself whereupon they are locked on the opposite ends, for example by means of washers, nuts or similar, i.e. on the underside of the deck. For mounting in such a manner, normally two

operators are needed, one on the side of the equipment, i.e. on the upper side of the deck, and one on the

underside of the deck who is supposed to hold either for example heads of screws or bolts in order to enable a correct mounting. EP-A-1 473 472 proposes an improved arrangement for mounting of for example a winch on a boat deck by means of screws inserted into holes provided in the appliance, which are supposed to be prevented from rotating with respect to the appliance by means of for example washers. The aim is to be able to reduce the number of operators since no operator is needed to prevent the screws from rotating during fastening. However, even if the number of operators can be reduced, the holes for the fastening elements are often difficult to get access to,

particularly when the appliance or the winch is assembled, since such holes are often covered or concealed by other components or covering elements when the arrangement is assembled so that it might not be possible to introduce the screws or similar into the holes. This has as a consequence that the deck equipment, for example the winch, at least partly has to be demounted or disassembled for fastening and thereafter it has to be assembled again. Furthermore additional retaining elements are needed to prevent the fastening elements mounted in seats from rotating and sliding with respect to the deck equipment.

Therefore, in EP-P-1 958 867 an improved mounting

arrangement for deck equipment is suggested, which is to make it possible to, in an easier and less time consuming manner, mount a deck appliance. In this document a

mounting arrangement is disclosed which comprises a base element having a plurality of seats intended to receive threaded fastening elements which, when they are

introduced, protrude from the base element and which thereafter can be inserted into through holes in the decks so that they will be accessible from the underside of the deck. These seats are accessible at a peripheral surface of the base element and have a retaining portion which through shape coupling is to cooperate with the threaded fastening elements to prevent the latter from rotating or sliding axially with respect to the base element. Each seat comprises a recess which has given a length, and which is formed in the peripheral surface of the base element, and which has a groove with parallel, flat surfaces forming the retaining portion section. The groove has an upper shoulder which serves the purpose of

preventing the fastening element from sliding axially and the base furthermore discloses a lower contact surface. The shoulder has a through hole which has a longitudinal axis which is substantially perpendicular to the lower contact surface and which has a transversal size which is smaller than the width of the groove.

The drawback of the arrangement disclosed in this document is that it is guite complicated to mount. The fastening elements, screws or bolts, are to be introduced laterally from the outside into grooves which are located at the peripheral surface. This means that screws as well as holes are very exposed, which is disadvantageous both from a contamination point of view and from a sealing point of view, and also from an aesthetical point of view.

Therefore a cover element is used which discloses openings adapted to receive the free, protruding ends of the screws, and which have a cylindrically shaped peripheral surface which is to cover the holes where these screws are introduced, and which are accessible from the outside.

For mounting, thus a number of steps are required.

Normally the mounting arrangement is delivered in an assembled state, i.e. the cover element is mounted on the base element. In order to be able to get access to the screws, therefore, first the cover element has to be removed, the screws have to be introduced, thereafter the cover element has to be mounted with the screws in an inserted position whereupon normally a sealing means, for example a sealing compound, is provided on the location where the equipment, for example the winch, is to be mounted and/or on the lower side of the cover element.

Only then the entity comprising a base element and a cover element with inserted screws is connected, the cover element by means of the sealing agent being glued onto the deck and final mounting takes place from below in that nuts or similar are fixed from the underside of the deck.

For a mounted deck equipment, for example a winch, the load to which it is exposed is highest at the outermost portion, i.e. in the peripheral part of the mounting arrangement, where the fastening elements are introduced through the holes. This means that the load is highest in that area where there are a number of openings and where the material is interrupted and does not show a uniform surface, which means that the construction has a certain weakness. Another disadvantage is that, if the deck equipment for some reason will have to be removed, it can be difficult with the arrangement that is described in EP- P-l 958 867 since the screws are not accessible, neither from the outer side nor from the upper side. From the outer side they are not accessible due to the cover element which has been attached by glueing, and from the upper side by they are not accessible for demounting due to the retaining elements, the shoulders, formed in one piece with the base element itself. This means that, once the nuts having been removed from the underside, it would be necessary to pull the whole arrangement upwards, perpendicularly to the mounting surface without the bolts being removed, which in principle is impossible since the fixed bolts would have to be withdrawn at the same time, which means that an even force would have to applied perpendicularly to the lower contact surface of the cover element which is fastened by glueing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a mounting arrangement of as initially referred to, and to a deck equipment with a mounting arrangement respectively, which is improved with respect to known arrangements. Generally it is an object of the invention to provide a mounting arrangement through which the above mentioned problems, with which known arrangements are associated, can be solved. Particularly it is an object to provide an arrangement which is easy to mount. A further object is to provide a mounting arrangement which enables a stronger mounting and which better can withstand the loads it may be exposed to. A particular object is to provide an arrangement which is easily demountable, so that, when it is needed, the mounting arrangement and the deck equipment respectively easily can be detached from the deck. It is also an object to provide an arrangement through which the mounting arrangement or the deck

eguipment can be mounted without the deck equipment which itself is to be mounted, has to be disassembled in order to enable mounting, and in some embodiments, also not for demounting to take place. A further object is to provide an arrangement which is aesthetically appealing and also provides a good protection against dirt and contamination.

Still another object is to provide an arrangement which is simple and cheap to fabricate and which can be mounted in a fast manner. It is also an object to provide a method for mounting functional deck equipment onto the upper side of the deck of a boat. Therefore an arrangement as initially referred to is provided which comprises the characterizing features of the characterizing part of claim 1.

Particularly the recesses, which are formed in the outer circumferential element, each have an opening which is directed away from the peripheral limiting surface of the outer circumferential element. The recesses are so formed with respect to the fastening elements that the recesses in the plane of extension of the circumferential element each has a dimension (width) which is smaller than the dimension of the heads of the fastening elements, but larger than the diameters of the pins, particularly the threaded elements, so that these, after (and during) introduction from the open side of the respective recess will bear against respective edges on the upper side of the outer circumferential element which surrounds each respective recess. (Alternatively fastening elements are selected which are so shaped that the above mentioned requirements are met.)

The mounting arrangement comprises a second mounting element which is separate from the first mounting element and which is adapted for being arranged on the first mounting element and to form a limiting element for, in said recesses, introduced fastening elements, at least against axial displacement. Preferably the second mounting element is detachably arranged on said first mounting element and can be removed without the winch being detached from the deck.

Particularly said first and/or second mounting element is provided with retaining elements, for example in the form of snap-in elements or similar so that the second mounting element can be snapped in at the first mounting element. Alternatively retaining elements in the form of threads for screwing the second mounting element on and off the first mounting element (the cross sectional shape then is circular), a bayonet fixing or similar.

In an advantageous embodiment the second element has springing connections so that upon mounting, the second mounting element can be snapped in at the first mounting element through the snapping element snapping in and being locked by upper edges of the respective openings in the first mounting element, by respective flanges or similar. The snap-in connection may for example be released by the snap-in elements being released from cooperating means

(for example upper opening edges) and the second mounting element can be removed. Similar connections may of course be formed in a number of different ways. In a particular embodiment the second mounting element has an outer limiting surface which has a circumference the form of which is adapted to the circumference of the outer peripheral limiting surface of said first mounting element and somewhat exceeds it so that the second mounting element in a mounted position forms a cover or protection element which surrounds the outer peripheral limiting surface of the first mounting element, or at least the peripheral limiting surface of the outer circumferential element, and furthermore has a lower peripheral edge which is substantially in parallel with and located in the same plane as the lower contact surface of the first mounting element .

In a particularly advantageous embodiment the first mounting element is provided with locking elements, for example in form of pins or similar, which are so located and formed that they, automatically or by means of manual interaction, lock the fastening elements against radial movement, particularly so that they can not fall out.

These retaining elements can be formed as elastic pins or similar. Introduction of the fastening elements

particularly takes place against the action of an elastic or springing force in the retaining elements which return to normal state, locking the fastening elements radially, when the fastening elements are completely introduced. In an alternative embodiment the locking elements, for example elastic pins or similar, are arranged on the second mounting element.

According to different embodiments the first mounting element comprises a number of recesses, for example between three and fifteen recesses, wherein the number on one hand depends on the size and the shape of the

equipment to be mounted, and on the other hand on the force that the equipment can be expected to be exposed to, and further on which is the function of the equipment and on how the construction of the mounting arrangement.

In certain embodiments the first and second mounting elements have a circular form, i.e. the outer

circumferential element and the outer peripheral limiting surface respectively has a circular cross section. More particularly the outer peripheral limiting surface of the second mounting element has the shape of a cylinder with a small height, normally a few centimeters depending on implementation, about 1-10 centimeters, preferably 2-7 centimeters or has a form corresponding to a section of a truncated cone.

According to different embodiments the cross sectional shape of the outer circumferential element or the

circumference of the lower contact surface is oval, rectangular, square shaped, elliptical or triangular.

The fastening elements particularly comprise bolts, for example hexagon headed bolts, screws or similar. For locking normally cooperating locking means such as nuts or similar are used, which are applied on the free end of the bolt or the screw from the underside of the deck. In an alternative embodiment the fastening elements comprise socket head cap screws.

The deck equipment may comprise a winch, a rope clutch, a cleat, a rail or similar which is to be arranged on the outer or upper surface of a deck. The invention also provides such a deck equipment comprising the mounting arrangement as above.

According to the invention also a method for mounting of deck equipment on an upper side of the deck of a boat is provided which comprises the steps of; introducing, laterally, a number of fastening elements in recesses in a first mounting element which is connected to, adapted to be connectable with, or formed integrally with the deck equipment, and which comprises an outer circumferential element with a lower contact surface adapted to be able to bear against the upper surface of a deck. The fastening elements are introduced in such a manner that the pins are substantially perpendicularly directed with respect to the lower contact surface with the lower side of their heads in contact with the upper side of the outer

circumferential element. The recesses are through recesses and they are arranged in said outer circumferential element and show respective openings facing away from an outer, peripheral, limiting surface along an outer

circumference of the first mounting element in such a manner that the pins of the fastening elements, for example threaded parts, protrude from the openings, their heads resting on edges surrounding the recesses; inserting the protruding free ends vertically through through holes in the deck; in a vertical direction, from the upper side of the deck, arranging a second mounting element, the form of which is adapted to the form of said first mounting element, and which has a circumference which somewhat exceeds the circumference of the first mounting element, and which is so formed that the introduced fastening elements are locked against axial movement; arranging nuts or similar locking elements on the free ends of the fastening elements from the underside of the deck so that they become locked. (This step can alternatively be performed earlier.) Before the step of bringing the lower contact surface in contact with the upper side of the deck conveniently either the deck and/or the lower contact surface is provided with a sealing and/or glueing agent. Preferably the method also comprises a step of, after introduction of the fastening elements in the recesses, by means of locking elements locking the heads of the fastening elements so that they cannot be displaced radially inwards, i.e. slip out of the recesses through the openings. In a particularly advantageous embodiment the step of introducing the fastening elements comprises pushing them laterally against the action of a respective snap-in element or a spring loaded elements which

automatically, after the fastening elements have passed, snap out or spring out to block the fastening element from moving radially inwards.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will in the following be further described in a non-limiting manner, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematical view in perspective of a mounting arrangement with a deck equipment comprising a winch,

Fig. 2 is a schematical view from below of a first

mounting element with a fastening element of a mounting arrangement in a position for

introduction into a recess,

Fig. 3 corresponds to Fig. 2 wherein a fastening element has been introduced into a recess in a first mounting element, Fig. 4 shows an example of a mounting arrangement with a first and a second mounting element, wherein the second mounting element is in a position for being arranged on the first mounting element, Fig. 5 shows the mounting arrangement according to Fig. 4 with the second mounting element arranged on the first mounting element,

Fig. 6 is a schematical view in detail from the outside of a first mounting element in a first embodiment with a hexagon headed bolt introduced into a recess ,

Fig. 7 is a schematical view in detail seen from the

outside of a first mounting element in a second embodiment wherein the fastening element comprises a socket head cap screw introduced into a recess, and

Fig. 8 is a schematical lateral view showing, in cross section, a deck equipment which by means of a mounting arrangement according to the invention is mounted on the upper side of a deck.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig. 1 shows a mounting arrangement 100 connected to a deck equipment which in this case comprises a winch 50 which is to be mounted on a deck (not shown in this figure) . The winch 50 will not be described more in detail here since it may be any arbitrary winch which is known per se with a drum 51 and a cap 52. The invention is of course not limited to deck equipment in the form of winches but a winch is mainly shown for exemplifying reasons. The mounting arrangement 100 comprises a first mounting element 10 and a second mounting element 20. In Fig. 1 the second mounting element is in the position for mounting onto the first mounting element 10.

In the shown embodiment the deck eguipment 50 is

demountably connected to the first mounting element 10 in any convenient manner. The deck equipment could also in some embodiments be fixedly connected to the first

mounting element. The first mounting element 10 comprises a lower contact element or an outer circumferential element 11 with a lower contact surface Hi which is adapted to be able to rest on the upper surface of a deck and which in this embodiment substantially is formed by an annular ring which comprises the area between two concentric circles of which the outer forms the circumference of the outer circumferential element of the first mounting element 10. The radius of the inner circle may take different values between zero and a value which is smaller than the radius of the outer circle, the width of the way at least

exceeding the diameter of a head of fastening element 40 adapted to being introduced into recesses 13 in said outer circumferential element 11. The outer circumferential element 11 is outwards limited by an outer peripheral edge or limiting surface 12 thereof. This outer peripheral limiting surface substantially has a height given by the thickness of the outer circumferential element 11 forming part of the first mounting element and which comprises the lower contact surface 11χ. This outer peripheral limiting surface 12 may comprise irregularities, for example may it may comprise protruding areas in connection with the recesses 13 which are formed in the outer circumferential element 11 (contact element) and which form openings directed inwards towards the centre of the mounting element 10 in the plane of the lower contact surface, i.e. the centre of, in this case, the concentric circles. Alternatively the openings of the recesses 13 may be obliquely arranged with the respect to the outer and the inner circle respectively or have a curved shape, the essential thing being that the recesses comprise

respective towards the centre directed openings which admit access in parallel with the lower contact surface so that the fastening elements can be introduced into the recesses in a plane parallel with the lower contact surface in a direction towards the outer circumference, the outer peripheral limiting surface, which thus

preferably is closed.

Each of the inwards open recesses 13 substantially has a width which is smaller than the width of the head 41 of a fastening element 40, and which is larger than the

diameter of the pin 42 or tap of the fastening element which is arranged perpendicularly to the head (for example threaded) , so that the head of the fastening element can bear against a separate edge of the outer circumferential element, or directly on the upper side II2 of the outer circumferential element in an area which surrounds the recess 13. In an advantageous embodiment reinforcing elements 14 are arranged on the upper side 11₂ of the outer circumferential element to surround the recesses 13, except for at the open sides. The reinforcing elements 14 may for example be U-shaped open in a same direction as said openings, and have leg distance which reaches or somewhat exceed the diameter of the head 41 of the

fastening element. These reinforcing elements 14 may be arranged around respective recesses and have a thickness or a height which substantially corresponds to or is smaller than the height of the heads 41 of the fastening elements. Alternatively the recesses may be so formed that they show an edge or a flange arranged to surround the pin 42 of the fastening element so that the head 41 can rest thereupon and at the same time be protected laterally. The reinforcing elements 14 for the recesses 13 may thus be formed in different manners, either integrally with the lower contact element or the outer circumferential element (the mounting attachments) 11 in some known manner or alternatively they may comprise separate elements as shown in Fig. 1. Alternatively no reinforcing elements are used and the outer circumferential element, also called the lower contact element, may have a uniform thickness, or comprise a corresponding lower flange or reinforcing edge 14₂ on the underside.

In the shown embodiment the first mounting element 10 is provided with a plurality of wall elements 15

perpendicular to said lower contact element 11 adjacent the inner side of the lower contact element 11, at least along a respective circular arc the size of which somewhat exceeds the width of an opening or a recess. Of course these inner wall elements may comprise openings 16 of different sizes and forms or substantially extend

throughout large portions of the inner circumference of the outer circumferential element. The reason for having the openings 16 is substantially based on the aim at reducing the amount of material needed or to reduce the weight of the mounting arrangement, except for that, in some embodiments, they do not perform any particular function and could in principle be disposed of. The wall elements 15, in the cases when they are arranged in connection with the openings of the recesses 13, are provided with wall openings 17, adjacent the recesses and their openings, which particularly have a height which at least exceeds the height of the heads 41 of the fastening elements so that they easily can be introduced.

The arrows denoted "y" in the figure show the direction of mounting for a second mounting element 20 comprising an element which has an outer limiting surface 21 and which has a form and a circumference which is adapted to the circumference of the peripheral limiting surface of the first mounting element (particularly the outer limiting surface of the outer circumferential element) and is slightly so that the second mounting element 20 at least covers and has a height exceeding that of the outer peripheral limiting surface of the circumferential element, the lower edge 25 of which hence will surround and be substantially in parallel with, particularly in the same plane as, the lower contact surface Hi.

According to an advantageous embodiment the second

mounting element 20 is provided with connecting elements in the form of snap-in elements 22 which are arranged at the inner side thereof, and which extend upwardly in an axial direction and which are elastic so that they can be snapped in into cooperating elements of the first mounting element (not shown here since such a function can be provided for in many different ways) so that the first and second mounting elements 10, 20 can be mounted and

demounted respectively at the same time as they in the mounted position are securely connected to each other. In alternative embodiments the first mounting element may be detachably connectable with the second mounting element in that the second mounting element is screwed onto the first mounting element by means of cooperating threads; however, then the cross-sectional shape has to be circular. In another alternative embodiment a bayonet connection or similar may be used.

The second mounting element 20 comprises, or itself also forms locking elements (see for example Fig. 8) intended to protect and block a mounted fastening element against movement in an axial direction, i.e. cover and lock, from above, heads of fastening elements introduced into

recesses and to prevent them from moving in an axial direction, and furthermore contribute to prevent the entry of dirt and similar.

Fig. 2 shows a first mounting element 10 in perspective from below. A fastening element 40 is brought into a position for introduction into a recess 13; the arrow XI shows the direction of introduction. Also shown is an elastic blocking element 18 in the form of a pin.

According to one embodiment the pin is elastic so that upon introduction of a fastening element 40, it is pushed laterally or upwardly depending on how it is arranged or where it is arranged, and after passage of the head of the fastening element (alternatively its pin depending on the particular the embodiment) , the pin snaps back into a normal position under the action of a spring and is ejected so that an automatical retention of the fastening element in the recess is assured, i.e. so that the

fastening element cannot move in a radial direction towards the opening once it has been introduced. Fig. 3 shows in a similar manner the inner side of a first mounting element 10 in a perspective view from below, but now with a fastening element 40 in an introduced position and with a locking element 18 in a blocking position. This locking element may be formed in many different ways; it may be elastic per se, it may be spring loaded so that introduction takes place against for example the action of a compression spring, and arranged for actuation against the action of a spring in a vertical or a horizontal direction, or in any other direction.

Fig. 4 is a view in perspective from above of a mounting arrangement 100A with a first mounting element 10A and a second mounting element 20A. The second mounting element corresponds to the second mounting element shown in Fig. 1 and the reinforcing elements 14, which have a U-shaped cross section, have two parallel side walls 14', 14' the heights of which increase radially inwards so that the height of these side walls is highest furthest in where they are connected to wall elements 15. The protruding portion 23 of the outer limiting surface of the second mounting element is of no significance for the present invention but it is exclusively provided for leaving an additional space for in the interior located accessories such a gear wheel. In Fig. 4 is also shown the snap-in element 22A which, when the second mounting element 20A is arranged on the first mounting element 10A, snaps in for example in the opening 16 (see Figs. 1 and 5

respectively) . These attachment or snap-in elements are preferably elastic with upwardly directed free ends. On the side of the respective free end facing the centre, engagement elements 26A are arranged to releasably lock the second mounting element 26A to the first mounting element 10A in a mounted position where it for example bears against a lower edge in opening 16A (see Fig. 5) .

In the shown embodiment fastening elements 4 OA comprising hexagon headed bolts are via radially inwards directed openings introduced into their respective recesses 13 where they are blocked and prevented from slipping out of the recesses inwardly in a radial direction, i.e. towards the direction of introduction, by means of the described locking elements or pins 18, 18' referred to in Figs. 2 and 3 (not shown in this figure) . In the shown embodiment the deck equipment is not shown for reasons of clarity and in order to illustrate the inner side of the second mounting element 20A, but the bolts 40A can be introduced into the recesses 13 (also called mounting attachments) without the deck equipment, particularly a winch, needing to be dismantled. Normally the bolts are pushed in

laterally from the side with a small radial force directed radially outwards which is applied in order to overcome the force of an elastic or spring loaded element 18; 18' or a pin which, when the bolt has been introduced and is in place, snaps back and regains its normal position either behind the head of the bolt or just below it according to different embodiments.

Fig. 5 shows how the second mounting element 20A has been pushed down around the first mounting element 10A. The outer surface 21 of the second mounting element 20A encloses the first mounting element 10A, i.e. the outer peripheral limiting surface 12 of the outer

circumferential element, and it has a height which at least exceeds the height of the screw heads when they are introduced and bear against the edge (see Fig. 4). The outer ends of the, in a normal state, upwards and somewhat inwards, radially, directed snap-in elements 22A (which also, or alternatively, may be provided with inwards directed engagement elements 26A) have during the

arrangement of the second mounting element 20A on the first mounting element 10A been pushed somewhat outwards by for example a second smaller circumference 31 of the first mounting element (for example the circumference defined by the wall elements) when passing, in an axial direction during the mounting. When the second mounting element 20A once has been mounted, and its lower, outer edge 25 is substantially located in parallel with, and in the same plane as, the lower contact surface Hi of the first mounting element, or shortly before that, the snap- in elements 22A are released and will rest against a lower edge which upwardly limits openings 16A in the walls of the first mounting elements (see also Fig. 1). Preferably engagement element 26A bear against the lower edge whereas the respective upper free ends of the snap-in elements 22A bear against the outer side of the wall which, at the upper end, surround openings 16A. The snap elements may for example be actuated upon by means of a screw driver or a similar tool to be released so that the engagement part 26A or similar not more bears against the lower edge which on the upper end limits the opening 16A (more generally the snap-in elements or similar brought from a blocked position or a locking position) so that the second

mounting element 20A can be lifted up and released from the first mounting element 10A.

Fig. 6 very schematically shows an example of a fastening element 40 comprising a hexagon headed bolt with a pin 42 and a head 41 and which is mounted in a recess 13. The lower edge of the head 41 here rests on an edge which surrounds the recess 13, except for at the inwards

directed opening. A reinforcing element 14 is arranged on said edge and protects the head of the bolt from being exposed to forces from the outside, inwards and laterally respectively .

Fig. 7 shows an alternative embodiment with a fastening element comprising a socket head cap screw 40B with a head 4 IB and a tap/pin 42B. Also in this embodiment the

fastening element is externally and laterally surrounded by a reinforcing element 14. Different from those cases in which a screw or a bolt for example according to Fig. 6 is used, at least in some cases, the second mounting element need to be removed for mounting on and removal from the deck. Depending on how the deck equipment is mounted to the mounting arrangement at least the second mounting element has to be detached from the first mounting

element. The second mounting element may also be so mounted that even if socket head cap screws are used, the deck equipment need not be dismantled or removed. In a particular embodiment the second mounting element

comprises for example two shell halves which are mounted from respective sides. If the deck equipment is mounted on a second mounting element also the deck equipment has to be detached whereas if it is mounted in the first mounting element, it in some embodiments is enough to demount the second mounting element.

When hexagon headed bolts or similar are used, the second mounting element, or the winch (or the deck equipment) does not need to be demounted or detached for mounting. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the fastening element 40B mounted in a through hole in a deck 60. A nut 70 is arranged on a pin element 42B from the underside of the deck 60. The head 41B of the fastening element 40B bears against the surrounding edge 19 on the outer

circumferential element 11 of a first mounting element 10 and the reinforcing element 14 comprises side walls, corresponding to U-legs (which protect the screw head and surround it so that it will not be exposed to radially directed forces) .

In an advantageous embodiment the deck equipment, for example a winch, is mounted as follows: a number of fastening elements comprising for example hexagon headed screws or bolts are introduced into recesses laterally, i.e. sideways, radially outwards, which are intended for that purpose, and provided in a plane which is parallel to the upper side of the lower contact element of the first mounting element. The screws are prevented from slipping out of, back, through the opening by locking or snap-in elements or similar as described earlier. If for example hexagon headed bolts or similar are used, a winch, for example, need not be dismantled for mounting on deck but it can also be mounted while connected to the mounting element. Thereafter (or at the same time or shortly before) a sealing and/or glueing agent is applied either on the lower contact surface of the first mounting element and/or on the corresponding surface of the upper side of the deck on the location where the deck equipment is to be arranged, and which also is provided with through holes through which the free ends of the fastening elements can be introduced. The mounting element with deck equipment is thereafter mounted by the screws being introduced into the holes, nuts can be screwed on at the underside of the deck and then, or before that, the second mounting element is snapped in onto the first mounting element. It should be noted that if instead socket head cap screws are used, the winch cannot be pre-mounted for fastening to the deck in cases when access would not be given to the heads of the socket head cap screws.

If the deck equipment later needs to be removed from the deck, it is simple to lift off the second mounting element by, depending on how it is fastened (screwed, snapped in or similar) onto the first mounting element, either by screwing it off, manually releasing the snap-in elements or similar, and then simply lift it up. Then the fastening elements can be removed. Since the lower contact surface of the first mounting element by the sealing agent is glued on to the deck, some force is required in order to remove it, but since there are no longer any bolts or screws locking it to the deck, an non-vertical upwardly directed force can be applied so that the mounting element can be broken off from the deck which is considerably easier than applying a vertical upwardly directed force perpendicularly to the contact surface/the deck. An advantage of the invention is that a mounting

arrangement is provided which is secure, with the use of which it is simple to mount deck equipment and which also facilitates or enables demounting of deck equipment. The invention is not limited to the shown embodiments but it can be varied in a number of ways within the scope of the appended claims .

Claims

1. An mounting arrangement (100;100A) for mounting deck eguipment (50) onto an upper side of a deck of a boat (60), comprising

a first mounting element (10;10A) which is connected to, adapted to be connectable to, or formed integrally with, said deck equipment (50) and comprising an outer

circumferential element (11;11A),

said outer circumferential element being provided with at least one elongate recess (13) intended to take up a threaded fastening element (40;40B) comprising a head (41;41B) and a pin element (42;42B), in such a manner that the pin upon reception in the recess (13) has a free end which protrudes in a direction substantially perpendicular to a lower contact surface (Hi), said free end being adapted for perpendicular introduction into a respective through hole in the deck of the boat so that the free end will be accessible from the underside of the deck of the boat,

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n

that the outer circumferential element comprises an upper side (II2) and a lower contact surface (Hi) adapted for being arranged to bear against an upper surface of the deck and has an outer, peripheral, limiting surface (12) forming a circumference of the first mounting element adjacent the lower contact surface (Hi) of the outer circumferential element,

that said recess (13) formed in said outer circumferential element (11) is a through recess and comprises a receiving opening facing away from said circumference forming the peripheral limiting surface (12) of the outer

circumferential element, and wherein the receiving opening has such a shape and size that a fastening element can be introduced via the receiving opening,

that the upper side (11₂) of the outer circumferential element comprises an edge surrounding the recess and that the recess and the edge respectively have such dimensions in a plane formed by said upper surface or in a plane parallel therewith, that the head of the fastening element in an introduced position can bear against this edge, that the mounting arrangement (100) furthermore comprises a second mounting element (20;20A), that said second mounting element (20;20A) is an element separate from said first mounting element (10;10A), and is adapted to be arranged on the first mounting element (10;10A) and to form a limiting element for in said recess (13) or

recesses introduced fastening elements, at least against axial movement.

2. A mounting arrangement according to claim 1,

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n

that said second mounting element (20;20A) is detachably arranged at said first mounting element (10;10A).

3. A mounting arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n

that the second mounting element (20;20A) has an outer limiting surface which has a circumference with a form which is adapted to the form of the outer peripheral limiting surface (12) of said first mounting element and somewhat larger than that so that the second mounting element (20;20A) in a mounted state forms a cover and/or protection element surrounding the peripheral limiting surface of the outer circumferential element and comprises a lower peripheral edge (25) which is substantially parallel to and located in the same plane as the lower contact surface (Hi) of the first mounting element.

4. A mounting arrangement according to any one of claims 1-3,

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n

that said first and second mounting elements (20;20A) comprise a connecting arrangement (16,22).

5. A mounting arrangement according to claim 4,

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n

that the connecting arrangement comprises a number of, in or on, the first (10;10A) or the second (20;20A) mounting element, arranged springing elements (22) which are so arranged that the second mounting element (20;20A) by means of a snap-in connection between said elastic element and an on the second or the first mounting element

respectively provided cooperating engagement element (16), can be snapped in onto said first mounting element.

6. A mounting arrangement according to any one of claims 1-5,

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n

that said second mounting element is provided with a number of locking elements (18), for example pins, pegs or similar, which are so located and have such a shape that they, when the second mounting element is arranged on the first mounting element, lock respective fastening elements introduced into the recesses (13) to prevent at least radial movement of the fastening elements (40;40B) and to retain them in said respective recesses (13) .

7. A mounting arrangement according to any one of claims 1-5,

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n

that said first mounting element (10;10A) at each recess (13) is provided with a locking element (18), for example a pin, a peg or similar which adapted to lock a fastening element introduced into a recess (13) so that radial movement of the fastening element (40) is prevented and so that it is retained in the recess.

8. Mounting arrangement according to any one of claims 1- 7,

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n

that the first mounting element (10;10A) comprises three to fifteen recesses.

9. A mounting arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims,

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n

that the lower contact surface (Hi) of the first mounting element (10;10A) comprises a periphery or a circumference which is circular.

10. A mounting arrangement according to claim 9,

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n

that the outer limiting surface of the second mounting element (20;20A) has the shape of a truncated cone or of a cylinder with a height of a few centimeters, for example 1- 12 centimeters, preferably 2-7 centimeters.

11. A mounting arrangement according to claim 4 and 9 or 4 and 10,

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the connecting arrangement comprises a first external threading provided on said first mounting element, a second internal threading provided on the second mounting element at least on portions thereof which are facing inwards, and what is adapted to be able to engage with the corresponding first external threading of said first mounting element, and in that a locking element is arranged to releasably lock the second mounting element with respect to the first mounting element so that unintentional twisting of the mounting elements with respect to one another is prevented.

12. A mounting arrangement according to any one of claims 1-8,

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n

that the circumference of the lower contact surface has an oval, rectangular, sguare, elliptical or triangular shape.

13. A mounting arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims,

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n

that the fastening elements comprise bolts, screws or similar adapted to, in a position when they are inserted into the first mounting element, by means of cooperating fastening means provided on the free ends of the bolts or the screws, which in the inserted position are accessible from the underside of the deck, be locked with nuts or similar .

14. A mounting arrangement according to any one of claims 1-12,

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n

that the fastening element comprise socked head cap screws (40B) .

15. A mounting arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims,

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n

that the deck eguipment comprises a winch (50) .

16. A mounting arrangement according to any one of claims 1-14,

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n

that the deck eguipment comprises a rope clutch.

17. A mounting arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims,

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n

that the deck eguipment comprises a cleat, a rail or similar .

18. Deck eguipment (50) provided with or connected to a mounting arrangement (100;100A) according to any one of claims 1-13, wherein said deck eguipment comprises a winch, a rope clutch, a cleat, a rail or similar.

19. A method for mounting deck eguipment (50) onto the upper side of a deck of a boat (60), comprising the steps of:

introducing a number of fastening elements laterally into respective recesses (13) formed in an outer circumferential element (11;11A) forming a lower contact surface of, and forming part of, a first mounting element (10;10A) connected to, connectable to or formed integrally with, said deck eguipment (50), so that said fastening elements (40;40B), in an introduced position, have respective free ends which protrude in a direction substantially perpendicular to said lower contact surface;

placing and arranging the mounting arrangement

(100;100A) on the upper side of the deck in connection with through holes in the deck so that the fastening elements protrude through the through holes and become accessible from the underside of the deck;

arranging locking elements, for example nuts or similar, on the fastening elements (40;40B), from the underside of the deck;

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n

that the lower contact surface (Hi) of the outer

circumferential element (11;11A) is adapted to be able to bear against the upper side of a deck, that the recesses (13) open inwards, and in that introduction of the fastening elements (40;40B) takes place outwards in a direction towards a closed peripheral limiting surface (12) which outwards limits the outer circumferential element (11;11A), and in that it further comprises the steps of:

locking the fastening elements (40;40B) by means of locking elements in said recesses so that they at least are prevented from moving radially inwards, arranging, detachably, a second mounting element (20;20A), vertically from above, around the first mounting element (10;10A) to the shape of which it is adapted, wherein the second mounting element (20;20A) preferably comprises a lower peripheral edge or a circumference which in a mounted position is

substantially parallel to and located in the same plane as the lower contact surface of said first mounting element (10:10A), whereby said second mounting element (20;20A) in a mounted position protects and blocks the fastening elements (40;40B) from moving axially.