Sundeck with Self-Stowing Rumble Seat for a Boat

Abstract

A convertible seating arrangement for a sundeck of a boat includes a seating element that is pivotally moveable between a stowed configuration and a seating configuration. The seating element provides a backrest and, in part, forms a seat when in the seating configuration. The seating element lies flush with the sundeck when in the stowed configuration. A sitting surface is positioned under and hidden by the seating element when the seating element is in the stowed configuration. The sitting surface is exposed and, in part, forms the seat when the seating element is moved to the seating configuration.

1 . A convertible sundeck for a boat comprising:
 a seating element having a stowed configuration and a seating configuration, the seating element having a first cushioned side and a second cushioned side that face in opposite directions;   a pivot mount pivotally mounting the seating element to the boat, the pivot mount allowing the seating element to be pivoted between the stowed configuration and the seating configuration;   a sitting surface positioned below and at least partially hidden by the seating element when the seating element is in the stowed configuration; and   a cushioned deck surface;   wherein the sitting surface and the first cushioned side of the seating element form a seat when the seating element is in the seating configuration;   wherein the second cushioned side of the seating element is flush with the cushioned deck surface when the seating element is in the stowed configuration; and   wherein the sitting surface is recessed relative to the cushioned deck surface.   
     
     
         2 . The convertible sundeck of  claim 1 , wherein the seating element fits in a recess in the convertible sundeck when the seating element is in the stowed configuration, the recess defines a perimeter that substantially surrounds the seating element on four sides when the seating element is in the stowed configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The convertible sundeck of  claim 1 , wherein the first cushioned side of the seating element forms a backrest when the seating element is in the seating configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The convertible sundeck of  claim 1 , wherein the second cushioned side of the seating element forms a portion of the cushioned deck surface when the seating element is in the stowed configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The convertible sundeck of  claim 1 , wherein the cushioned deck surface includes a starboard region, an aft region, and a port region, and wherein a first edge of the seating element is adjacent the starboard region, a second edge of the seating element is adjacent the aft region, and a third edge of the seating element is adjacent the port region when the seating element is in the stowed configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The convertible sundeck of  claim 5 , wherein one or more of the starboard region, the aft region, and/or the port region of the cushioned deck surface is a cover that covers an under-deck storage area. 
     
     
         7 . The convertible sundeck of  claim 6 , wherein the cover is a flip-up panel mounted on a hinge-line. 
     
     
         8 . The convertible sundeck of  claim 7 , wherein the flip-up panel can be opened by a person sitting on the seat when the seating element is in the seating configuration. 
     
     
         9 . The convertible sundeck of  claim 7 , wherein the flip-up panel can be closed by a person sitting on the seat when the seating element is in the seating configuration. 
     
     
         10 . The convertible sundeck of  claim 8 , wherein the under-deck storage area is reachable by a person sitting on the seat when the seating element is in the seating configuration and the flip-up panel is in an open configuration. 
     
     
         11 . The convertible sundeck of  claim 5 , wherein a starboard edge of the aft region of the cushioned deck surface generally aligns with the first edge of the seating element and a port edge of the aft region of the cushioned deck surface generally aligns with the third edge of the seating element, wherein an aft edge of the aft region of the cushioned deck surface is spaced by a distance from the second edge of the seating element when the seating element is in the stowed configuration, and wherein the distance by which the aft edge is spaced is sufficient to allow the aft region of the cushioned deck surface to form a footrest for the seat when the seating element is in the seating configuration. 
     
     
         12 . The convertible sundeck of  claim 1 , wherein the cushioned deck surface is located at an aft region of the boat, and wherein the first cushioned side of the seating element faces in an aft direction when the seating element is in the seating configuration. 
     
     
         13 . The convertible sundeck of  claim 12 , wherein at least a portion of the second cushioned side of the seating element rests on a portion of stem seating of the boat when the seating element is in the seating configuration, and wherein the stem seating is located forward of the seating element. 
     
     
         14 . The convertible sundeck of  claim 13 , wherein the stem seating of the boat includes a backrest and the second cushioned side or the portion of the second cushioned side of the seating element rests on the backrest of the stem seating. 
     
     
         15 . The convertible sundeck of  claim 1 , further comprising a beverage holder positioned on the cushioned deck surface. 
     
     
         16 . A convertible sundeck for a boat aft of a stem seating area, the convertible sundeck comprising:
 a seating element having a stowed configuration and a seating configuration, the seating element having a first side and a second side that face in opposite directions, the seating element being moveable relative to the boat between the stowed configuration and the seating configuration;   a sitting surface positioned below and at least partially hidden by the seating element when the seating element is in the stowed configuration; and   a deck platform having a first portion that at least partially surrounds the sitting surface;   wherein the sitting surface is recessed relative to the first portion of the deck platform;   wherein the sitting surface and the first side of the seating element form an aft facing seat when the seating element is in the seating configuration; and   wherein the second side of the seating element forms a second portion of the deck platform when the seating element is in the stowed configuration.   
     
     
         17 . The convertible sundeck of  claim 16 , wherein the first portion of the deck platform includes a starboard portion located starboard of the seating element, a port portion located port of the seating element, and an aft portion, located aft of the seating element when the seating element is in the stowed configuration. 
     
     
         18 . The convertible sundeck of  claim 16 , wherein the first portion of the deck platform is a cushioned deck surface. 
     
     
         19 . The convertible sundeck of  claim 16 , wherein the first side of the seating element is a cushioned surface. 
     
     
         20 . The convertible sundeck of  claim 16 , wherein the second side of the seating element is a cushioned surface.