Modified pontoon assembly for improved flotation and method of assembly thereof

Abstract

A section of a pontoon for a pontoon boat includes a tubular body having a first end and a second end. The second end is configured to being coupled to another section of the pontoon. An end cap is coupled to the first end of the tubular body and a profile having at least two curvatures. The at least two curvatures include a first curvature defined by a first radius and a second curvature defined by a second radius.

1 . A longitudinal section of a pontoon for a pontoon boat, comprising:
 a tubular body comprising a first end and a second end, the second end configured to being coupled to another section of the pontoon;   an end cap coupled to the first end of the tubular body;   wherein the end cap comprises a profile having at least two curvatures;   wherein the at least two curvatures including a first curvature defined by a first radius and a second curvature defined by a second radius.   
     
     
         2 . The longitudinal section of  claim 1 , wherein the first curvature is convex and the second curvature is concave. 
     
     
         3 . The longitudinal section of  claim 1 , wherein the profile forms a S-curve. 
     
     
         4 . The longitudinal section of  claim 1 , wherein the first radius is greater than the second radius. 
     
     
         5 . The longitudinal section of  claim 1 , wherein the first radius is less than the second radius. 
     
     
         6 . The longitudinal section of  claim 1 , wherein the first radius and second radius are approximately the same. 
     
     
         7 . The longitudinal section of  claim 1 , wherein the profile of the end cap is formed by a plurality of portions, the plurality of portions including at least a first portion, a second portion, a third portion, a fourth portion, and a fifth portion;
 wherein at least the first portion and fifth portion are generally flat and disposed in planes parallel to one another.   
     
     
         8 . The longitudinal section of  claim 7 , wherein the fifth portion comprises a surface area that is greater than a surface area of the first portion. 
     
     
         9 . The longitudinal section of  claim 7 , wherein the second portion forms the first curvature and the fourth portion forms the second curvature. 
     
     
         10 . The longitudinal section of  claim 9 , wherein the third portion is generally flat and disposed at an angle relative to the first and fifth portions. 
     
     
         11 . The longitudinal section of  claim 10 , wherein the first and fifth portions are arranged in vertical planes offset from one another, and the third portion is arranged in a horizontal plane. 
     
     
         12 . A pontoon boat, comprising:
 a frame having a first end and a second end, the first end located at a bow and the second end located at the stern;   a deck mounted to the frame;   a pontoon for providing floatation of the boat, the pontoon comprising:
 a longitudinal section formed by a tubular body comprising a first end and a second end, the second end configured to being coupled to another longitudinal section of the pontoon; 
 an end cap coupled to the first end of the tubular body; 
 wherein the end cap comprises a profile having at least two curvatures; 
 wherein the at least two curvatures including a first curvature defined by a first radius and a second curvature defined by a second radius. 
   
     
     
         13 . The pontoon boat of  claim 12 , wherein the pontoon comprises a plurality of pontoons. 
     
     
         14 . The pontoon boat of  claim 12 , wherein the first curvature is convex and the second curvature is concave. 
     
     
         15 . The pontoon boat of  claim 12 , wherein the profile of the end cap is formed by a plurality of portions, the plurality of portions including at least a first portion, a second portion, a third portion, a fourth portion, and a fifth portion;
 wherein at least the first portion and fifth portion are generally flat and disposed in planes parallel to one another;   wherein the second portion forms the first curvature and the fourth portion forms the second curvature;   wherein the third portion is generally flat and disposed at an angle relative to the first and fifth portions.   
     
     
         16 . The pontoon boat of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a bracket coupled to the fifth portion;   a wire chase coupled to the end cap, the wire chase extending between the first portion and the fifth portion; and   a riser assembly coupled between the tubular body and the deck.   
     
     
         17 . The pontoon boat of  claim 16 , wherein the riser assembly rearward of the end cap to overhang the tubular body. 
     
     
         18 . A method of forming a pontoon for a pontoon boat, comprising:
 forming a substantially flat piece of material into a tubular body, the tubular body having a defined length and diameter;   forming an end cap to include a profile having at least two curvatures, the at least two curvatures comprising a first curvature defined by a first radius and a second curvature defined by a second radius;   coupling the end cap to the tubular body;   forming a first section of the pontoon with the end cap and tubular body; and   coupling the first section of the pontoon with at least a second section.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the tubular body is formed by rolling the material to a desired diameter and cutting the material to a desired length. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the forming an end cap comprises:
 pressing the end cap to define the first curvature and the second curvature; and   forming a plurality of portions of the end cap to define the profile, the plurality of sections including a first section, a third section and a fifth section being substantially flat and a second section and a fourth section formed by the respective first curvature and the second curvature.