U.S. patent application number 11/223564 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-15 for boat slip step assembly.
Invention is credited to Larry Palmer.
Application Number | 20070056499 11/223564 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37769474 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070056499 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Palmer; Larry |
March 15, 2007 |
BOAT SLIP STEP ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A boat slip step assembly (10) for being mounted proximate the
corner of a boat slip (16). The step assembly (10) includes at
least one tread member (24) for being mounted in a corner of the
boat slip (16) below the level of the upper surface of the boat
dock (14) that defines the boat slip (16). The tread member (24)
has a first edge portion (26) for being secured to a first dock
section (20), and a second edge portion (28) for being secured to a
second dock section (22).
Inventors: |
Palmer; Larry; (Harriman,
TN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PITTS AND BRITTIAN P C
P O BOX 51295
KNOXVILLE
TN
37950-1295
US
|
Family ID: |
37769474 |
Appl. No.: |
11/223564 |
Filed: |
September 9, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
114/362 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02B 3/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
114/362 |
International
Class: |
B63B 17/00 20060101
B63B017/00 |
Claims
1. A boat slip step assembly for being mounted proximate the corner
of a boat slip defined by a boat dock having at least first and
second dock sections that cooperatively define a corner of the
slip, the boat dock defining an upper surface, said step assembly
comprising a tread member for being fixedly mounted below the level
of the upper surface of the boat dock, said tread member having a
first edge portion for being secured to the first dock section of
the boat dock, and having a second edge portion for being secured
to the second dock section of the boat dock, whereby said tread
member is disposed within said corner defined by said first and
second dock sections.
2. The boat slip step assembly of claim 1 where said step assembly
includes a first riser member extending upward from said first edge
portion of said tread member.
3. The boat slip step assembly of claim 1 wherein said step
assembly includes a first riser member extending upward from said
first edge portion of said tread member, and includes a second
riser member extending upward from said second edge portion of said
tread member.
4. A boat slip step assembly for being mounted proximate the corner
of a boat slip defined by a boat dock having at least first and
second dock sections that cooperatively define a corner of the
slip, the boat dock defining an upper surface said step assembly
comprising a tread member for being mounted below the level of the
upper surface of the boat dock, said tread member having a first
edge portion for being secured to the first dock section of the
boat dock, and having a second edge portion for being secured to
the second dock section of the boat dock, wherein said step
assembly includes a first riser member extending upward from said
first edge portion of said tread member, and includes a second
riser member extending upward from said second edge portion of said
tread member, wherein said first riser member is provided with a
first supporting flange for extending over the upper surface of the
boat dock, and wherein said second riser member is provided with a
second supporting flange for extending over the upper surface of
the boat dock, whereby said first and second supporting flanges
support said step assembly on the upper surface of the boat
dock.
5. A boat slip step assembly for being mounted proximate the corner
of a boat slip defined by a boat dock having at least first and
second dock sections that cooperatively define a corner of the
slip, the boat dock defining an upper surface, said step assembly
comprising a tread member for being mounted below the level of the
upper surface of the boat dock, said tread member having a first
edge portion for being secured to the first dock section of the
boat dock, and having a second edge portion for being secured to
the second dock section of the boat dock, wherein said tread member
defines a rear edge portion that, in cooperation with the first and
second dock sections, defines an opening.
6. A boat slip step assembly for being mounted proximate the corner
of a boat slip defined by a boat dock having at least first and
second dock sections that cooperatively define a corner of the
slip, the boat dock defining an upper surface, said step assembly
comprising a tread member for being mounted below the level of the
upper surface of the boat dock, said tread member having a first
edge portion for being secured to the first dock section of the
boat dock, and having a second edge portion for being secured to
the second dock section of the boat dock, wherein said step
assembly includes a first riser member extending upward from said
first edge portion of said tread member, and includes a second
riser member extending upward from said second edge portion of said
tread member, and, wherein said tread member defines a rear edge
portion that, in cooperation with the first and second dock
sections, defines an opening, and wherein said step assembly
includes a third riser member extending upwardly from said rear
edge portion of said tread member.
7. A boat slip step assembly for being mounted proximate the corner
of a boat slip defined by a boat dock having at least first and
second dock sections that cooperatively define a corner of the
slip, the boat dock defining an upper surface, said step assembly
comprising a tread member for being fixedly mounted below the level
of the upper surface of the boat dock, said tread member having a
first edge portion for being secured to the first dock section of
the boat dock, and having a second edge portion for being secured
to the second dock section of the boat dock wherein said tread
member has a front edge portion and a rear edge portion and defines
a substantially trapezoidal shape.
8. The boat slip step assembly of claim 1 wherein said step
assembly includes a hand rail.
9. The boat slip step assembly of claim 4 wherein said step
assembly includes a hand rail.
10. A boat slip step assembly for being mounted proximate the
corner of a boat slip defined by a boat dock having at least first
and second dock sections that cooperatively define the corner of
the slip, the boat dock defining an upper surface, said step
assembly comprising: a tread member for being mounted in a corner
of the boat slip below the level of the upper surface of the boat
dock, said tread member having a first edge portion for being
secured to the first dock section, and having a second edge portion
for being secured to the second dock section of the boat dock; a
first riser member extending upwardly from said first edge portion
of said tread member, said first riser member being provided with a
first supporting flange for extending over an upper surface of the
first dock section; and a second riser member extending upwardly
from said second edge portion of said tread member, said second
riser member being provided with a second supporting flange for
extending over an upper surface of the second dock section.
11. The boat slip step assembly of claim 10 wherein said tread
member defines a rear edge portion that, in cooperation with the
first and second dock sections defines an opening between said step
assembly and the boat dock, and wherein said step assembly includes
a third riser member extending upwardly from said rear edge portion
of said tread member.
12. The boat slip step assembly of claim 10 wherein said first edge
portion of said tread member defines a notch that provides an
opening between said tread member and the first dock section.
13. The boat slip step assembly of claim 12 wherein said first
riser member is configured to follow the edges of said tread member
defining said notch so as to form a wall bordering said notch.
14. The boat slip step assembly of claim 10 wherein said tread
member has a front edge portion and a rear edge portion, and
defines a substantially trapezoidal shape.
15. The boat slip step assembly of claim 10 wherein said step
assembly includes a hand rail.
16. The boat slip step assembly of claim 11 wherein said third
riser member defines an upper edge provided with a third supporting
flange, and wherein said step assembly includes a hand rail having
a first support member anchored to, and extending upwardly from,
said third supporting flange, and a second support member anchored
to and extending upwardly from said tread member, said hand rail
also including a grasping rail extending between said first support
member and said second support member.
17. The boat slip step assembly of claim 16 wherein said grasping
rail is angled downwardly from said first support member to said
second support member.
18. The boat slip step assembly of claim 17 wherein said second
support member angles outwardly from said tread member such that
said grasping rail extends beyond said tread member in the
direction of the boat slip.
19. A boat slip step assembly for being mounted proximate the
corner of a boat slip defined by a boat dock having at least first
and second dock sections that cooperatively define a the corner of
the slip, the boat dock defining an upper surface, said step
assembly comprising: a tread member for being mounted in a corner
of the boat slip below the level of the upper surface of the boat
dock, said tread member having a first edge portion for being
secured to the first dock section, and having a second edge portion
for being secured to the second dock section of the boat dock, said
tread member defining a rear edge portion that, in cooperation with
the first and second dock sections defines an opening between said
tread member and the boat dock; a first riser member extending
upwardly from said first edge portion of said tread member, said
first riser member being provided with a first supporting flange
for extending over an upper surface of the first dock section; a
second riser member extending upwardly from said second edge
portion of said tread member, said second riser member being
provided with a second supporting flange for extending over an
upper surface of the second dock section; a third riser member
extending upwardly from said rear edge portion of said tread
member, said third riser being provided with a third supporting
flange extending substantially horizontally from an upper edge of
said third riser; and a handrail, said handrail having a first
support member anchored to, and extending upwardly from, said third
supporting flange, and a second support member anchored to, and
extending from, said tread member proximate a front edge portion of
said tread member, said hand rail also including a grasping rail
extending between said first support member and said second support
member.
20. The boat slip step assembly of claim 19 wherein said grasping
rail is angled downwardly from said first support member to said
second support member, and wherein said second support member
angles outwardly from said tread member such that said grasping
rail extends beyond said tread member in the direction of the boat
slip.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of Invention
[0004] This invention pertains to a step assembly for mounting in a
boat slip to facilitate movement of an individual between the dock
that defines the slip and a boat moored in the slip. More
particularly, this invention pertains to a step assembly which is
mountable in the corner of a slip, and which incorporates at least
one tread member that is disposed at a level below the level of the
upper surface of the dock.
[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0006] Boat docks are often provided with boat slips for mooring
boats. A boat slip is typically defined by a boat dock having at
least two dock sections that intersect to define a corner of the
slip. Boat slips can also be defined by three dock sections such
that the dock borders the slip on three sides, and the slip defines
two corners. Whereas boat slips are provided to facilitate the
movement of individuals between the dock defining the slip and
boats moored at the dock, often the disparity in the height of the
upper surface of the dock and the height of the deck of the boat
can make such movement difficult. This disparity can be
particularly pronounced where the dock is located in a body of
water where there are significant shifts in the water levels due to
tides, or due to artificial changes in water levels as is common in
the case of reservoirs. Ladders secured to the dock have been used
to provide a means for boat users to move between the dock and the
deck of a boat, but ladders can be difficult to use, particularly
for an individual who is carrying something, or an individual who
does not have the necessary physical dexterity climb up or down a
ladder. Moreover, such ladders are generally mounted on the portion
of the dock which forms the side of the slip and can take up useful
slip space, and also can be an undesirable obstacle when a boat is
being pulled into the slip.
[0007] Therefore, there is a need for a device or apparatus which
facilitates the movement of boat users between a dock defining a
boat slip and the deck of a boat moored in the slip. There is also
a need for such a device that does not require great physical
dexterity to use, and which takes up little useable space in the
boat slip.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a boat
slip step assembly is provided for being mounted in or proximate
the corner of a boat slip, the boat slip being defined by at least
first and second dock sections that cooperatively define a corner
of the slip. The step assembly includes a tread member for being
mounted in the corner of the boat slip below the level of the upper
surface of the boat dock. The tread member has a first edge portion
for being secured to the first dock section of the boat dock, and a
second edge portion for being secured to the second dock section of
the boat dock. In one embodiment the tread member also defines a
rear edge portion that, in cooperation with the first and second
dock sections, defines an opening between the tread member and boat
dock to accommodate a service or utility pole, or a dock
support.
[0009] The deck assembly also includes a first riser member
extending upwardly from the first edge portion of the tread member,
the first riser member being provided with a first supporting
flange for extending over the upper surface of the first dock
section to facilitate the securing of the step assembly to the boat
dock. Further, the deck assembly also includes a second riser
member extending upwardly from the second edge portion of the tread
member, the second riser member being provided with a second
supporting flange for extending over the upper surface of the
second dock section to facilitate the securing of the step assembly
to the boat dock. In one embodiment the step assembly is also
provided with a third riser member extending upwardly from the rear
edge portion of the tread member, with the third riser member being
provided with a third support flange extending substantially
horizontally from an upper edge of the third riser member. Further,
the step assembly can be provided with a handrail to facilitate
movement of an individual from the boat dock to a boat moored in
the boat slip.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The above-mentioned features of the invention will become
more clearly understood from the following detailed description of
the invention read together with the drawings in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a boat slip step assembly in
accordance with the present invention as it is mounted in the
corner portion of a boat slip.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a boat slip step assembly in
accordance with the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of a boat slip step assembly in
accordance with the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of a boat slip step assembly
in accordance with the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of
a boat slip step assembly in accordance with the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] A boat slip step assembly in incorporating various features
of the present invention is illustrated generally at 10 in FIGS.
1-4. The step assembly 10 is designed to facilitate movement of an
individual 12 from a boat dock 14 defining a boat slip 16 onto a
boat 18 docked in the slip 16, and to facilitate the movement of an
individual 12 from a boat 18 to the dock 14. The assembly 10 can
also be used to facilitate the entry of an individual into the
water, and the individuals exit from the water, as in the case
where an individual is swimming in the proximity of the dock. In
this regard, those skilled in the art will recognize that boat
slips, such as the boat slip 16, are typically defined by a boat
dock having at least a first dock section 20 and a second dock
section 22 which generally cooperate to define a corner of the slip
16. Further, the boat dock 14 can include a third section (not
shown) such that the slip is defined by dock sections on three
sides. As will be discussed in detail below, the boat slip step
assembly 10 is mounted in the boat slip 16 so as to extend between
the first dock section 20 and the second dock section 22.
[0017] In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, the assembly 10
includes at least one tread member 24 that is mounted below the
level of the upper surface of the dock 14 and which extends between
the first dock section 20 and the second dock section 22. More
specifically, the tread member 24 defines a first edge portion 26
that is secured to the first dock section 20 and a second edge
portion 28 that is secured to the second dock section 22. It will
be noted that in the illustrated embodiment the tread member 24
defines a trapezoidal shape having a front edge portion 30 and a
shorter rear edge portion 32, with the first and second edge
portions 26 and 28 extending between the front and rear edge
portions 30 and 32, respectively. One advantage to this trapezoidal
configuration is that an opening 34 is defined between the rear
edge portion 32 and the dock 14 that can accommodate a dock or roof
support, or a service pole which provides electricity, water or
other services to the slip. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the opening
34 provides a space through which the dock support 36 extends. It
will, however, be understood by those skilled in the art that the
tread member 24 could define various configurations. For example,
where the opening 34 is not necessary, the tread member 24 could
define a triangular configuration. Moreover, the front edge portion
30, and/or rear edge portion 32, could be arcuate or otherwise
non-linear;
[0018] Those skilled in the art will recognize that various
mechanisms could be used to secure the first edge portion 26 of the
tread member 24 to the first dock section 20 and the second edge
portion 28 of the tread member 24 to the second dock section 22.
However, in one embodiment a first riser member 38 extends upward
from the first edge portion 26 of the tread member 24. Whereas the
first riser member 38 could be used as a securing flange to secure
the assembly 10 to the first dock section 20, as by inserting
screws or other fasteners through the riser member 38 and into the
dock 14, in the illustrated embodiment, the first riser member 38
is provided with a supporting flange 40 that extends substantially
horizontally to engage the upper surface of the dock section 20.
Further, a second riser member 42 extends upward from the second
edge portion 28 of the tread member 24. As with the first riser
member 38, the second riser member 42 could be used to secure the
assembly 10 to the second dock section 22. However, in the
illustrated embodiment, the second riser member 42 is provided with
a supporting flange 44 that extends substantially horizontally to
engage the upper surface of the second dock section 22. As
illustrated in FIG. 1, fasteners, such as the illustrated screws
46, can be used to secure the support flanges 40 and 44 to the
docking 14, thereby securing the step assembly 10 in place in the
corner of the slip 16.
[0019] It will be noted that in the embodiment of the step assembly
10 in which the tread member 24 defines the rear edge portion 32, a
third riser member 48 can be provided along with a further
supporting flange 50. The third riser member 48 serves to prohibit
an individual's foot and/or leg from accidentally slipping into the
opening 34, and the further support flange serves to reinforce the
rear portion of the assembly 10. It will also be noted that in one
embodiment the front edge portion 30 of the tread member 24 is
provided with a downwardly turned lip 52 that serves to strengthen
and support the front edge portion 30 such that the weight of an
individual 12 can be supported. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 3,
reinforcement structures, such as the illustrated angle irons 54,
can be secured to the underside of the tread member 24 to
strengthen the tread member 24.
[0020] In order to facilitate the safety of individuals using the
step assembly 10, one embodiment of the assembly 10 is provided
with a handrail 56. The handrail 56 includes a first support member
58 which is anchored to, and extends upwardly from, the further
support flange 50, and a second support member 60 that is anchored
to the assembly 10 at, or proximate, the front edge portion 30 of
the tread member 24, and extends upwardly from the tread member 24.
The handrail 56 also includes a grasping rail 62 which extends
between the first support member 58 and the second support member
60. As illustrated in FIG. 4, in the preferred embodiment the
grasping rail 62 angles downwardly a selected angle 64 from the
first support member 58 to the second support member 60 to
facilitate the grasping of the rail 62 as the individual moves
between the level of the tread member 24 and the dock 14. Moreover,
the second support member 60 angles outwardly from the tread member
24 a preselected angle 66 to allow the grasping rail 62 to extend
beyond the front edge portion 30 of the tread member 24. It will be
appreciated that extending the grasping rail 62 out into the slip
16 in this manner facilitates the supported movement of an
individual 12 between the tread member 24 of the assembly 10 and a
boat 18 moored in the slip 16.
[0021] The various components of the step assembly 10 are
preferably fabricated of a strong durable metal such as steel, iron
or aluminum, but various strong, durable materials could be used.
In one embodiment the tread member 24, the riser members 38, 42,
and 48, the support flanges 40, 44, and 50, and the lip 52, of the
assembly 10 are made of diamond tread steel such that a non-slip
surface is provided on exposed surfaces. However, various strong,
durable materials having non-slip surfaces could be used, or the
components of the assembly 10 could be coated or covered with
non-slip materials.
[0022] In FIG. 5 an alternate embodiment of the boat slip step
assembly of the present invention is illustrated generally at 10'.
Components of the step assembly 10' that are common to the step
assembly 10 described above will be referenced with common prime
numbers. It will be noted that the tread member 24' of the step
assembly 10' is provided with a notch 68 that provides an opening
to accommodate a service pole or dock support. Further, in the one
embodiment the first riser member 38' is configured to follow the
edges of the notch 68 so as to form a protective wall around the
edges of the notch 68 to prohibit an individual's foot and/or leg
from accidentally being inserted into the opening defined by the
notch 68. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that
the placement of the notch 68 in the tread member 24' will vary
depending upon the location of service poles or dock supports.
Moreover, it may be necessary to provide more than one notch 68 to
accommodate various dock structures.
[0023] In light of the above, it will be recognized that the boat
slip step assembly 10, 10' provides great advantages over the prior
art. The step assembly 10, 10' provides a convenient structure for
facilitating the movement of an individual between the dock 14 and
the boat 18, and also provides a structure to facilitate entry
into, and exit from, the water as when individuals are swimming
proximate the dock. It will also be recognized that the step
assembly 10, 10' can also be used as a platform to provide greater
access to the boat 18 when the boat 18 is being worked on.
Moreover, because of the placement of the step assembly 10, 10' in
the corner of a slip, very little usable slip space is lost when
the assembly is used.
[0024] While the present invention has been illustrated by
description of several embodiments and while the illustrative
embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not
the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the
scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages
and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art.
The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to
the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and
illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures
may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or
scope of applicant's general inventive concept.
* * * * *