Boat fender

Abstract

An inflatable/deflatable boat fender that is generally V- or U-shaped to protect the hull of a boat from the dock and/or pilings, cushioning any impact between the dock and the hull of a boat. The inflatable boat fender is shaped to prevent the fender from slipping off the piling of a dock.

The invention claimed is:  
     
         1 . A fender for a watercraft comprising: 
 an elongated body portion having an inwardly facing surface for contacting the watercraft and an opposite outwardly facing surface;    said outwardly facing surface having a generally U-shaped recess to closely fit the pilings of a dock.    
     
     
         2 . The watercraft fender of  claim 1 , wherein said elongated body is inflatable.  
     
     
         3 . The watercraft fender of  claim 1 , wherein said elongated body is deflatable.  
     
     
         4 . The watercraft fender of  claim 1 , wherein said elongated body is made of a solid material.  
     
     
         5 . The watercraft fender of  claim 1  wherein said elongated body is made of a semi-solid material.  
     
     
         6 . The watercraft fender of  claim 1 , wherein said elongated body is filled with a liquid material.  
     
     
         7 . The watercraft fender of  claim 1 , wherein the recess has a depth less than half of the width of the elongated body but more than a quarter of the width of the elongated body.  
     
     
         8 . A fender for a watercraft, comprising: 
 an elongated body portion having an inwardly facing surface for contacting the watercraft and an opposite outwardly facing surface;    said outwardly facing surface having a generally U-shaped recess to closely fit an edge of a dock.    
     
     
         9 . A fender for a watercraft comprising: 
 an elongated body portion having an inwardly facing surface for contacting the watercraft and an opposite outwardly facing surface;    said outwardly facing surface having a generally V-shaped recess.    
     
     
         10 . The watercraft fender of  claim 9 , wherein said outwardly facing surface closely fits the pilings of a dock.  
     
     
         11 . The watercraft fender of  claim 9 , wherein said outwardly facing surface closely fits an edge of a dock.  
     
     
         12 . The watercraft fender of  claim 9 , wherein said elongated body is inflatable.  
     
     
         13 . The watercraft fender of  claim 9 , wherein said elongated body is deflatable.  
     
     
         14 . The watercraft fender of  claim 9 , wherein said elongated body is made of a solid material.  
     
     
         15 . The watercraft fender of  claim 9 , wherein said elongated body is made of a semi-solid material.  
     
     
         16 . The watercraft fender of  claim 9 , wherein said elongated body is filled with a liquid material.  
     
     
         17 . The watercraft fender of  claim 9 , wherein the recess has a depth less than half of the width of the elongated body but more than a quarter of the width of the elongated body.