Apparatus for storing and transporting boat propellers

Abstract

An apparatus for carrying and storing watercraft propellers comprises a soft-shell enclosure having a rigid bottom member. The apparatus further comprises means for securing the propeller to the bottom member to help secure the propeller within the apparatus. An embodiment of the apparatus may shaped in the form of a cube or other parallelepiped with an opening symmetrically bisecting the enclosure along the top and the sides, with a single panel defining the bottom of the enclosure. Alternatively, the apparatus may have a cylindrical shape. An embodiment of the invention may further comprise carrying means such as a continuous loop strap which is attached to and supports the bottom and sides of the enclosure.

1 . An apparatus for storing and transporting a boat propeller comprising: 
 a soft-shell enclosure having sides and a single panel defining the bottom of the enclosure, the enclosure having an opening;    a rigid bottom member which overlies the single panel on the bottom; and    means for securing the propeller to the rigid bottom member.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the means for securing the propeller to the rigid bottom member comprises a threaded stud attached to the rigid bottom member.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the means for securing the propeller to the rigid bottom member comprises a first strap and a second strap, the first strap and second strap each having a first end and a second end, the first ends respectively attached to the rigid bottom member and the first strap and second strap comprising means at their respective second ends for connecting the first strap to the second strap.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the opening of the enclosure comprises closing means.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the apparatus comprises carrying means.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the closing means comprises a zipper.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the closing means comprises a draw cord used in combination with grommets.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the carrying means comprises a continuous loop strap which is attached to and supports the bottom and sides of the enclosure, and which extends above each side of the enclosure in matching loops.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the soft-shell enclosure is in a cylindrical shape.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the soft-shell enclosure is in the shape of a parallelepiped  
   
   
       11 . An apparatus for storing and transporting boat propellers comprising: 
 a soft-shell enclosure shaped in the form of a parallelepiped having a top, sides, and a single panel defining the bottom of the enclosure, the enclosure having an opening which symmetrically bisects the enclosure along the top and the sides;    a rigid bottom member which overlies the single panel on the bottom; and    means for securing the propeller to the rigid bottom member.    
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the means for securing the propeller to the rigid bottom member comprises a threaded stud attached to the rigid bottom member.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the means for securing the propeller to the rigid bottom member comprises a first strap and a second strap each having a first end and a second end, the first ends respectively attached to the rigid bottom member and the first strap and second strap comprising means at their respective second ends for connecting the first strap to the second strap.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the opening of the enclosure comprises closing means.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the apparatus comprises carrying means.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the closing means comprises a zipper.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the carrying means comprises a continuous loop strap which is attached to and supports the bottom and sides of the enclosure, and which extends above each side of the enclosure in matching loops.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the rigid bottom member comprises a textured top surface.