U.S. patent application number 09/760533 was filed with the patent office on 2001-07-05 for boat lift apparatus.
Invention is credited to Bishop, Charles L., Bishop, Richard B..
Application Number | 20010006590 09/760533 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27371734 |
Filed Date | 2001-07-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010006590 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bishop, Richard B. ; et
al. |
July 5, 2001 |
Boat lift apparatus
Abstract
The present invention relates to a stationary boat lift in which
a boat is able to enter and exit with little difficulty. The boat
lift allows a boat to bypass various barriers in a efficient and
safe manner by vertically lifting the boat out of one body of
water, translating the boat horizontally over a desired barrier,
and then vertically lowering the boat into a second body of
water.
Inventors: |
Bishop, Richard B.;
(Bradenton, FL) ; Bishop, Charles L.;
(Chesterfield, MO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OLDHAM & OLDHAM CO
TWIN OAKS ESTATE
1225 W MARKET STREET
AKRON
OH
44313
US
|
Family ID: |
27371734 |
Appl. No.: |
09/760533 |
Filed: |
January 16, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09760533 |
Jan 16, 2001 |
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09371321 |
Aug 10, 1999 |
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6174106 |
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09371321 |
Aug 10, 1999 |
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09205862 |
Dec 4, 1998 |
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5947639 |
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60070518 |
Jan 6, 1998 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
405/3 ; 114/44;
405/86 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02C 5/00 20130101; B63C
3/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
405/3 ; 114/44;
405/86 |
International
Class: |
B63C 003/06 |
Claims
Having described the invention, what is claimed is:
1. A boat lift apparatus comprising: a moveable hoist assembly
erected over a barrier separating a first body of water and a
second body of water, the hoist assembly including a moveable lift
frame and a load distribution subassembly connected to the lift
frame, wherein the load distribution subassembly includes a pair of
load distribution supports extending longitudinally and spaced
laterally relative to one another and a cradle connected between
the load distribution supports and capable of receiving a boat to
be carried across the barrier by the apparatus; a mechanism for
raising and lowering the lift frame; and a mechanism for conveying
the hoist assembly between a first position over the first body of
water to a second position over the second body of water.
2. The boat lift apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
mechanism for raising and lowering the lift frame is a
hydraulically operated mechanism.
3. The boat lift apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the lift
frame is connected to the hoist assembly by a plurality of scissors
mechanisms.
4. The boat lift apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the
mechanism for raising and lowering the lift frame is a plurality of
hydraulic cylinders.
5. The boat lift apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the
plurality of hydraulic cylinders are positioned between a portion
of the hoist assembly and the scissors mechanism.
6. The boat lift apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
mechanism for raising and lowering the lift frame is a plurality of
hydraulic cylinders.
7. The boat lift apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the
plurality of hydraulic cylinders are positioned between a portion
of the hoist assembly and the lift frame.
8. The boat lift apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lift
frame comprises two laterally spaced apart lift sub-frames, a load
distribution support being connect to each lift sub-frame.
9. The boat lift apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the lift
sub-frames are connected by at least one laterally extending cross
support.
10. The boat lift apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the cross
support is a truss.
11. The boat lift apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
cradle comprises at least two longitudinally spaced straps.
12. The boat lift apparatus according to claim 11, wherein one of
the at least two longitudinally spaced straps is slidingly attached
to the load distribution supports.
13. A boat lift apparatus comprising: a moveable hoist assembly
erected over a barrier separating a first body of water and a
second body of water, the hoist assembly including a moveable lift
frame; p1 a non-water retaining cradle connected to the lift frame
and capable of receiving a boat to be carried across the barrier by
the apparatus; a hydraulic mechanism for raising and lowering the
lift frame; and a mechanism for conveying the hoist assembly
between a first position over the first body of water to a second
position over the second body of water.
14. The boat lift apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the
hydraulic mechanism for raising and lowering the lift frame is a
plurality of hydraulic cylinders.
15. The boat lift apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the lift
frame is connected to the hoist assembly by a plurality of scissors
mechanisms.
16. The boat lift apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the
plurality of hydraulic cylinders are positioned between a portion
of the hoist assembly and the scissors mechanism.
17. The boat lift apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the lift
frame comprises two laterally spaced apart lift sub-frames.
18. The boat lift apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the lift
sub-frames are connected by at least one laterally extending cross
support.
19. A boat lift apparatus comprising: a moveable hoist assembly
erected over a barrier separating a first body of water and a
second body of water, the hoist assembly including a moveable lift
frame; a non-water retaining cradle connected to the lift frame and
capable of receiving a boat to be carried across the barrier by the
apparatus, the cradle comprising at least two longitudinally spaced
straps, one of the at least two longitudinally spaced straps being
slidingly attached to the lift frame; a plurality of scissors
mechanisms connected between the lift frame and the hoist assembly;
a hydraulic mechanism for raising and lowering the lift frame, the
hydraulic mechanism comprising a plurality of hydraulic cylinders
connected between a portion of the hoist assembly and the scissors
mechanism; and a mechanism for conveying the hoist assembly between
a first position over the first body of water to a second position
over the second body of water.
20. A method for transporting a boat over a barrier separating a
first body of water from a second body of water, the method
comprising the steps of: positioning over the first body of water a
moveable hoist assembly and moveable lift frame; positioning in the
first body of water a non-water retaining cradle that is connected
to the lift frame, the lift frame including a pair of lift
sub-frames spaced laterally relative to one another and the cradle
being connected between the lift sub-frames and capable of
receiving a boat to be carried across the barrier by the apparatus;
positioning the boat above the cradle; hydraulically raising the
lift frame and the boat to lift the boat out of the first body of
water and to an elevation that is higher than the barrier;
translating the hoist assembly along with the boat over and across
the barrier; positioning the hoist assembly and the boat over the
second body of water; and hydraulically lowering the lift frame and
the boat to lower the boat into the second body of water.
21. A method according to claim 20, wherein the steps of
positioning the hoist assembly over the first body of water,
translating the hoist assembly along with the boat over and across
the barrier, and positioning the hoist assembly and the boat over
the second body of water include horizontally moving the hoist
assembly.
22. A method according to claim 21, wherein the steps of
positioning in the first body of water the cradle, raising the lift
frame and the boat to lift the boat out of the first body of water,
and lowering the lift frame and the boat to lower the boat into the
second body of water include vertically moving the lift frame.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending
prior application Ser. No. 09/371,321, filed Aug. 10, 1999, which
was a continuation of prior application Ser. No. 09/205,862, filled
Dec. 4, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,947,639. This application claims
the benefit of U.S. Provisional application no. 60/070,518 filed
Jan. 6, 1998. Application serial nos. 09/371,321 09/205,862, and
60/070,518 are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a lifting apparatus used to
portage a boat. More specifically, the present invention relates to
a mechanism for vertically lifting a boat out of one body of water,
transferring the boat horizontally over a barrier, and then
vertically lowering the boat into a second body of water.
[0003] Known within the prior art are devices for lifting boats out
of water for such purposes as making repairs, protecting boats from
dock collision caused by tidal action, and preventing damage to a
boat's hull from excessive exposure to water. U.S. Pat. No.
5,184,914 describes and shows a boat lift that consists of a frame
which cradles and lifts a boat from the water by the means of a
hydraulic ram. The device requires a person to enter the water to
secure several members of the device around the bottom of the hull.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,593,247 describes a programmable boat lift control
system that with the push of a button, the lift may either raise or
lower the boat to a pre-programmed elevation.
[0004] Both of these devices are useful for lifting boats out of
water, but are both limited to lifting and lowering the boat in a
vertical direction which is indicative of the general state of the
art in boat lifting devices. The prior art fails to teach an
apparatus that can both, lift and lower a boat in a vertical
direction and transfer the boat in a horizontal direction.
Applicant has discovered the need to transfer boats over barriers,
such as water divider walls. In many areas salt water and fresh
water are separated by various types of barriers. Barriers are
needed to separate fresh water from salt water due to the various
types of organisms, plants and animals which can only survive in
either salt or fresh water, but not both. Regardless of the need to
isolate salt from fresh water, boats and other types of water
vehicles still require access to and from these separate bodies of
water.
[0005] The foregoing illustrates limitations known to exist in
present boat lift apparatuses. Thus, it is apparent that it would
be advantageous to provide an alternative directed to overcoming
one or more of the limitations set forth above. Accordingly, a
suitable alternative is provided including features more fully
disclosed hereinafter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In one aspect of the present invention, this is accomplished
by providing a boat lift apparatus comprising: a moveable hoist
assembly erected over a barrier separating a first body of water
and a second body of water, the hoist assembly including a moveable
lift frame and a load distribution subassembly connected to the
lift frame, wherein the load distribution subassembly includes a
pair of load distribution supports extending longitudinally and
spaced laterally relative to one another and a cradle connected
between the load distribution supports and capable of receiving a
boat to be carried across the barrier by the apparatus; a mechanism
for raising and lowering the lift frame; and a mechanism for
conveying the hoist assembly between a first position over the
first body of water to a second position over the second body of
water.
[0007] After the boat has entered the lift it is positioned over a
pair of slings which are placed under the boat. One sling is
located near the bow or front portion of the boat while the second
sling is located near the stern or rear portion of the boat. The
slings are fastened to a lift frame which is lowered or raised by
hydraulic power.
[0008] Once the boat is in a fully raised position, the boat lift
translates the boat in a horizontal direction over the particular
barrier. Translation of the hoist is controlled by a motor which
powers a set of flanged wheels to move the boat lift back and
fourth in a horizontal direction. An operator is able to easily
control the functioning of the boat lift through a control panel
located near or within the boat lift.
[0009] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a new and improved boat lift capable of lifting a boat in
and out of water in both a vertical and horizontal direction.
[0010] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
boat lift which can be easily and safely operated by one or more
individuals, who are operators of the boat and not require an
operator full time for the boat lift.
[0011] It is still a further object of the present invention to
provide a boat lift which allows a boat to be lifted and carried
over various types of barriers.
[0012] The foregoing and other aspects will become apparent from
the following detailed description of the invention when considered
in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0013] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the boat lift
apparatus of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the boat lift apparatus
shown in FIG. 1 as the boat initially enters the boat lift
apparatus.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a first embodiment of the
lift frame of the boat apparatus shown in FIG. 1; and
[0016] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of a second embodiment of
the lift frame of the boat apparatus shown in FIG. 1
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] In the following description of a preferred embodiment of
the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying
drawings which, in conjunction with this detailed description,
illustrate and describe a boat lift capable of hoisting a boat out
of one body of water, translating the boat in a horizontal
direction over a barrier and then lowering the boat into a second
body of water. Referring to FIG. 2, boat lift 10 consists of
vertically moveable lift frame 24 mounted on a horizontally
moveable lift frame support bed 26 which rolls on tracks 32 which
are placed alongside a first body of water 18 and a second body of
water 20 divided by barrier 16. Many areas having both salt and
fresh water bodies must take care not to allow the two bodies of
water to mix thereby contaminating the fresh water. Various types
of organisms, plants and animals can only survive in either salt
water or fresh water. To accomplish this many communities construct
barriers separating the two bodies of water. The down side to using
barriers is that boats are prevented from freely traveling between
the fresh and salt water bodies.
[0018] In FIG. 1, boat 12 enters boat lift 10 at either one of two
ends via either first body of water 18 or second body of water 20.
Channel 14 of boat lift 10 is divided into two sections by barrier
16. Barrier 16 is located between and divides the first and second
bodies of water, 18 and 20 respectively, at approximately the
middle of the channel 14 effectively creating two isolated bodies
of water.
[0019] The vertically moveable lift frame 24 consists of two
sub-frames 24a, 24b, one on each side of channel 14. As shown in
FIG. 3, each lift sub-frame 24a, 24b consists of two sections, an
upper platform 36 and a lower scissors platform 38. The upper
platform 36 includes a lower beam 52 attached to upper beams 56 by
a plurality of fixed supports 54. On the inner (or channel side)
side of each lift sub-frame 24a, 24b, a load distribution
subassembly 58 is attached to the upper beams 56. A cradle 80 is
attached to the load distribution subassemblies 58 at cradle
connectors 60. Preferably one connector 60a is a fixed connection
and the other connector 60b is slideable along load distribution
subassembly 58. Lift sub-frames 24a, 24b are connected to one
another by transversely extending trusses 68 which span channel 14.
Trusses 68 are connected to upper beams 56. To accommodate varying
loads, ground settlement and other alignment problems, trusses 68
may be fixed to one lift sub-frame 24a and slidingly connected to
the other lift sub-frame 24b to allow for movement of the tops of
the lift sub-frames 24a, 24b towards or away from each other. To
provide additional support and stiffness to the upper platform,
cross supports 62 can be provided. The load distribution
subassemblies 58 can be omitted and cradle 80 can be attached to
other portions of upper platform 36.
[0020] Preferably, cradle 80 is a pair of slings, as shown in the
Figures. Slings 80, preferably, are fabricated from high strength
polyester which is resistant to damage from abrasion and
deterioration from exposure to water, particularly salt water. The
slings 80 may also be fabricated materials offering similar damage
resistance, such as nylon and the like. It is also possible that
the cradle for carrying boat 12 may be comprised of other suitable
means, including but not limited to, a heavy gauge net which may be
coupled at its extremities to connectors 60a, 60b . Like the slings
80, such net may also be produced from high strength polyester or
nylon. In order that the slings 80, or alternatively a net, will
readily submerge rather than float, lead weights are provided with
the slings 80 and the net. In the case of the slings 80, the lead
weights are sewn into packets provided in the slings 80. Preferably
cradle 80 is does not retain any water around the boat 12 when the
boat 12 is lifted out of the water.
[0021] The lower scissors platform 38 consists of a lift frame
support bed 26 connected to upper platform lower beam 52 by double
scissors mechanisms 40. The lift frame support bed 26 has a
plurality of support legs 28 attached thereto with wheels 30
attached to axles 34 at the lower ends thereof. The wheels 30
engage a track 32 which extends along the channel 14 on both sides
of the channel 14. The wheels 30 and track 32 permit the boat lift
10 to move horizontally along the channel 14 to transport a boat 12
over the barrier 16 from the first body of water 18 to the second
body of water 20 or vice versa. A transit motor 70 is attached to a
lower side of the lift frame support bed 26. The transit motor 70
preferably drives one set of wheels 30 through a chain and sprocket
(not shown).
[0022] The scissors mechanisms 40 each consist of two scissors legs
40a, 40b, pivotally connected by scissors connector 46. One end 42
of each scissors mechanism legs 40a, 40b is fixed to the lower
scissors platform 38. The other end 44 slides along either an upper
surface of lift frame support bed 26 or a lower surface of upper
platform lower beam 52. Upper hydraulic cylinder beams 48 are
provided between scissors legs 40a, 40b (See FIG. 1). Hydraulic
cylinders are connected between the lift frame support bed 26 and
the upper hydraulic cylinder beams 48. The left side of FIG. 1
illustrates the lift frame 24 when the hydraulic cylinders 50 are
retracted and the lift frame 24 is in its lower position. The left
side of FIG. 1 also illustrates the left sling position (shown in
FIG. 2) with the slideable sling connector 60b. The left side of
FIG. 1 shows in phantom lines the upper position of lift frame 24.
The right side of FIG. 1 illustrates the lift frame 24 when the
hydraulic cylinders 50 are fully extended pressing against upper
hydraulic cylinder beam 48 causing the scissors mechanisms 40 to
lift the upper platform 36 to a raised or upper position. In the
preferred embodiment, the upper platform raises about 7 feet. A
hydraulic power source (not shown) is provided on the lift frame
24. Retractable cords (not shown) are provided to provide
electrical power and control signals to the transit motor 70 and
the hydraulic power source. The intended maximum boat weight that
boat lift 10 can lift is 20,000 lbs. By changing the strength and
configurations of the structural members, the size of the hydraulic
cylinders, higher boat weights can be accommodated.
[0023] Although the preferred embodiment shows a lift frame 24
which uses double scissors mechanisms 40, other configuration of
hydraulic lifting devices may be used. One example is shown in FIG.
4 where a single scissors mechanism 40 is used for each lift
sub-frame 24a, 24b. Another configuration could use multiple levels
of lift frame support beds, each support bed being connected to the
one above it by a set of hydraulic cylinders. The scissors
mechanisms 40 or other lift multiplier mechanisms are
preferred.
[0024] In use, the boat lift 10 is positioned over the first body
of water 18 with the lift frame 24 in the lower position. Boat 12
is driven into channel 14 and positioned with the slings 80 about
the boat 12 as shown in FIG. 2. Because of the slideable connector
60a, the left most sling 80 (as shown in FIG. 2) can be moved to
accommodate different length boats. Hydraulic power is provided to
the hydraulic cylinders 50 causing the hydraulic cylinders 50 to
extend and lifting the upper platform 36, attached slings 80 and
boat 12. Transit motor 70 is energized moving boat lift 10 from
over the first body of water 28 over the barrier 16 and over the
second body of water 20. The hydraulic power is turned off and the
hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic cylinders 50 is relieved
allowing the hydraulic cylinders 50 to retract, thereby lowering
the upper platform 36 along with slings 80 and boat 12 to its lower
most position, lowering the boat 12 into the body of water 20. The
boat 12, having successfully transited barrier 16, can now be
driven in the second body of water 20.
* * * * *