U.S. patent application number 12/370993 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-19 for boat carrier assemblies and boat lift systems and methods including the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to Tide Tamer Industries, Inc.. Invention is credited to William Bradley Griffin, Larry M. Smith.
Application Number | 20100209191 12/370993 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42560045 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100209191 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Griffin; William Bradley ;
et al. |
August 19, 2010 |
BOAT CARRIER ASSEMBLIES AND BOAT LIFT SYSTEMS AND METHODS INCLUDING
THE SAME
Abstract
A boat lift system for raising and lowering a multi-hulled boat
from and into a body of water, the boat including first and second
laterally spaced apart hull structures, includes a carrier assembly
and a drive system. The carrier assembly is configured to hold the
boat. The carrier assembly includes a crossbeam having a length and
first and second cradle assemblies spaced apart along the length of
the crossbeam and secured to the crossbeam. Each of the first and
second cradle assemblies is configured to receive a respective one
of the first and second hull structures and includes a coupling
bracket and a pair of longitudinally extending runners each secured
to the coupling bracket and positioned to receive and support the
respective one of the first and second hull structures. The
coupling bracket connects and resists lateral separation between
the runners. The drive system is operable to selectively raise and
lower the carrier assembly.
Inventors: |
Griffin; William Bradley;
(LaGrange, NC) ; Smith; Larry M.; (Scroggins,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MYERS BIGEL SIBLEY & SAJOVEC
PO BOX 37428
RALEIGH
NC
27627
US
|
Assignee: |
Tide Tamer Industries, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
42560045 |
Appl. No.: |
12/370993 |
Filed: |
February 13, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
405/3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63C 3/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
405/3 |
International
Class: |
B63C 3/06 20060101
B63C003/06 |
Claims
1. A boat lift system for raising and lowering a multi-hulled boat
from and into a body of water, the boat including first and second
laterally spaced apart hull structures, the system comprising: a) a
carrier assembly configured to hold the boat, the carrier assembly
including: a crossbeam having a length; first and second cradle
assemblies spaced apart along the length of the crossbeam and
secured to the crossbeam, wherein each of the first and second
cradle assemblies is configured to receive a respective one of the
first and second hull structures and includes: a coupling bracket;
and a pair of longitudinally extending runners each secured to the
coupling bracket and positioned to receive and support the
respective one of the first and second hull structures; wherein the
coupling bracket connects and resists lateral separation between
the runners; and b) a drive system operable to selectively raise
and lower the carrier assembly.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein each coupling bracket is directly
secured to the crossbeam.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein each coupling bracket is bolted to
the crossbeam.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein each coupling bracket has
laterally opposed sides and the associated runners are secured to
respective ones of the opposed sides such that downward loading on
the runners from the supported hull structure applies a tension
load across the coupling bracket.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein each runner includes a bearing
surface and the bearing surfaces of each pair of runners define a
generally V-shaped trough to receive the respective one of the
first and second hull structures.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein each runner includes a rail having
a bearing surface and a bumper on the bearing surface to directly
engage the respective one of the first and second hull
structures.
7. The system of claim 1 wherein each runner rests on an upper side
of the crossbeam.
8. The system of claim 1 further including a second crossbeam
having a length, wherein: the first and second cradle assemblies
are spaced apart along the length of the second crossbeam and
secured to the second crossbeam, and each include a second coupling
bracket that connects and resists lateral separation between the
runners thereof; and the second crossbeam is spaced apart from the
first crossbeam along the lengths of the runners.
9. The system of claim 8 wherein: each first coupling bracket is
directly bolted to the first crossbeam and each second coupling
bracket is directly bolted to the second crossbeam; each of the
first and second coupling brackets has laterally opposed sides and
the associated runners are secured to respective ones of the
opposed sides such that downward loading on the runners from the
supported hull structure applies a tension load across the coupling
bracket; each runner includes a bearing surface and the bearing
surfaces of each pair of runners define a generally V-shaped trough
to receive the respective one of the first and second hull
structures; each runner includes a bumper on the bearing surface
thereof to directly engage the respective one of the first and
second hull structures; and each runner rests on an upper side of
the first crossbeam and an upper side of the second crossbeam.
10. The system of claim 1 wherein the drive system includes: a
drive motor operable to selectively raise and lower the carrier
assembly; and a linkage between the drive motor and the carrier
assembly.
11. A carrier assembly for use with a drive mechanism for raising
and lowering a multi-hulled boat from and into a body of water, the
boat including first and second laterally spaced apart hull
structures, the carrier assembly configured to hold the boat and
comprising: a) a crossbeam having a length; b) first and second
cradle assemblies spaced apart along the length of the crossbeam
and secured to the crossbeam, wherein each of the first and second
cradle assemblies is configured to receive a respective one of the
first and second hull structures and includes: a coupling bracket;
and a pair of longitudinally extending runners each secured to the
coupling bracket and positioned to receive and support the
respective one of the first and second hull structures; wherein the
coupling bracket connects and resists lateral separation between
the runners.
12. A method for raising and lowering a multi-hulled boat from and
into a body of water, the boat including first and second laterally
spaced apart hull structures, the method comprising: a) providing a
boat lift system including: a carrier assembly configured to hold
the boat, the carrier assembly including: a crossbeam having a
length; first and second cradle assemblies spaced apart along the
length of the crossbeam and secured to the crossbeam, wherein each
of the first and second cradle assemblies is configured to receive
a respective one of the first and second hull structures and
includes: a coupling bracket; and a pair of longitudinally
extending runners each secured to the coupling bracket and
positioned to receive and support the respective one of the first
and second hull structures; wherein the coupling bracket connects
and resists lateral separation between the runners; and a drive
system operable to selectively raise and lower the carrier
assembly; b) mounting the boat on the carrier assembly with the
first and second hull structures seated in the first and second
cradle assemblies, respectively; and c) raising and lowering the
carriage assembly, and thereby the boat, with respect to the water
using the drive system.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to boat lifts and, more
particularly, to boat lifts for lowering watercraft into a body of
water and lifting the watercraft out of the water.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is often desirable or necessary to remove a boat stored
at a dock from the water. For example, during a storm, the boat may
be damaged as a result of being banged against the dock by wind,
waves or surges. Boats that are stored in the water may experience
increased maintenance costs due to the need for more frequent
painting, floating objects striking the hull and/or growth of
crustaceans on the hull that must be removed.
[0003] In view of the foregoing, many boat owners need or desire to
store their boats out of the water. In response to this demand,
boat yards are available that will store a boat on land in a cradle
or in a warehouse and, upon demand, will retrieve and place the
boat in the water using a crane, forklift or the like. However,
this alternative may be expensive and/or inconvenient.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] According to embodiments of the present invention, a boat
lift system for raising and lowering a multi-hulled boat from and
into a body of water, the boat including first and second laterally
spaced apart hull structures, includes a carrier assembly and a
drive system. The carrier assembly is configured to hold the boat.
The carrier assembly includes a crossbeam having a length and first
and second cradle assemblies spaced apart along the length of the
crossbeam and secured to the crossbeam. Each of the first and
second cradle assemblies is configured to receive a respective one
of the first and second hull structures and includes a coupling
bracket and a pair of longitudinally extending runners each secured
to the coupling bracket and positioned to receive and support the
respective one of the first and second hull structures. The
coupling bracket connects and resists lateral separation between
the runners. The drive system is operable to selectively raise and
lower the carrier assembly.
[0005] According to embodiments of the present invention, a carrier
assembly for use with a drive mechanism for raising and lowering a
multi-hulled boat from and into a body of water, the boat including
first and second laterally spaced apart hull structures, is
configured to hold the boat. The carrier assembly includes a
crossbeam having a length and first and second cradle assemblies
spaced apart along the length of the crossbeam and secured to the
crossbeam. Each of the first and second cradle assemblies is
configured to receive a respective one of the first and second hull
structures and includes a coupling bracket and a pair of
longitudinally extending runners each secured to the coupling
bracket and positioned to receive and support the respective one of
the first and second hull structures. The coupling bracket connects
and resists lateral separation between the runners.
[0006] According to method embodiments of the present invention, a
method for raising and lowering a multi-hulled boat from and into a
body of water, the boat including first and second laterally spaced
apart hull structures, includes providing a boat lift system
including a carrier assembly and a drive system. The carrier
assembly is configured to hold the boat. The carrier assembly
includes a crossbeam having a length and first and second cradle
assemblies spaced apart along the length of the crossbeam and
secured to the crossbeam. Each of the first and second cradle
assemblies is configured to receive a respective one of the first
and second hull structures and includes a coupling bracket and a
pair of longitudinally extending runners each secured to the
coupling bracket and positioned to receive and support the
respective one of the first and second hull structures. The
coupling bracket connects and resists lateral separation between
the runners. The drive system is operable to selectively raise and
lower the carrier assembly. The method further includes: mounting
the boat on the carrier assembly with the first and second hull
structures seated in the first and second cradle assemblies,
respectively; and raising and lowering the carriage assembly, and
thereby the boat, with respect to the water using the drive
system.
[0007] Further features, advantages and details of the present
invention will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art
from a reading of the figures and the detailed description of the
preferred embodiments that follow, such description being merely
illustrative of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a boat lift system according
to embodiments of the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a partially exploded, perspective view of a
carriage assembly forming a part of the boat lift system of FIG.
1.
[0010] FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, exploded, perspective
view of a cradle assembly of the carriage assembly of FIG. 2.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a coupling bracket
forming a part of the cradle assembly of FIG. 3.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the coupling bracket of FIG.
4.
[0013] FIG. 6 is an end view of the carriage assembly of the boat
lift system of FIG. 1 with a multi-hulled boat mounted thereon.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0014] The present invention now will be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
illustrative embodiments of the invention are shown. In the
drawings, the relative sizes of regions or features may be
exaggerated for clarity. This invention may, however, be embodied
in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to
the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are
provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and
will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in
the art.
[0015] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as
being "coupled" or "connected" to another element, it can be
directly coupled or connected to the other element or intervening
elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is
referred to as being "directly coupled" or "directly connected" to
another element, there are no intervening elements present. Like
numbers refer to like elements throughout.
[0016] In addition, spatially relative terms, such as "under",
"below", "lower", "over", "upper" and the like, may be used herein
for ease of description to describe one element or feature's
relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in
the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative
terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the
device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted
in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned
over, elements described as "under" or "beneath" other elements or
features would then be oriented "over" the other elements or
features. Thus, the exemplary term "under" can encompass both an
orientation of over and under. The device may be otherwise oriented
(rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially
relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.
[0017] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and
"the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood
that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this
specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude
the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As
used herein the expression "and/or" includes any and all
combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
[0018] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and
scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly
understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this
invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such
as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be
interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their
meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be
interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly
so defined herein.
[0019] With reference to FIGS. 1-6, a boat lift system 50 according
to embodiments of the present invention is shown therein. The boat
lift system 50 may be mounted on a set of pilings 20 (FIG. 1) or
the like. The boat lift system 50 can be used to raise a multi-hull
boat 10 (FIG. 6) from a body of water W and lower the boat 10 into
the water W.
[0020] The boat 10 is exemplary of the multi-hull boats that may be
handled using the boat lift system, but other types and
configurations of multi-hulled boats may be employed. As used
herein, a "multi-hull boat" is a boat having two or more separate,
spaced apart hull structures that depend from a body of the boat
and, in use, are at least partly submerged in the water and support
the boat on the water. The hull structures typically are joined by
a common deck. The hull structures may be unitarily formed or may
be coupled by a separate connecting structure or structures.
Examples of multi-hull boats include pontoon boats, catamarans,
cathedral hull boats, and tunnel hull boats. Multi-hull boats are
distinguished from, for example, flat bottom boats, round bottom
boats, and single V-hull boats.
[0021] Turning to the boat 10 in more detail, the boat 10 includes
a hull system 12 supporting a body or chassis 18. The hull system
12 includes a pair of elongated hull structures 14, 16 joined by a
deck 15. The hull structures 14, 16 have convex, substantially
U-shaped bottom surfaces 14A, 16A. It will be appreciated that
boats having three or more hull structures or hull structures with
different profiles (e.g., V-shaped) may also be handled using the
boat lift system 50.
[0022] The boat lift system 50 includes a drive system 61 (FIG. 1)
and a carrier assembly 100. The drive system 61 includes a pair of
drive mechanisms 60 and a pair of drive linkages 70. The drive
mechanisms 60 and the linkages 70 are merely exemplary of
embodiments of the invention and other configurations and types of
drive mechanisms and linkages may be employed.
[0023] Each drive mechanism 60 includes a drive motor 62, a gear
reducer 64, and a drive unit 66. The drive mechanism 60 may include
a drive mechanism as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,383,781 to
Griffin, for example, the disclosure of which is incorporated
herein by reference.
[0024] The drive linkages 70 include respective longitudinally
extending, channel beams 72 that are spaced apart from one another.
A reel 74 is rotatably mounted in each channel beam 72. Each reel
74 is coupled to a respective drive unit 66 to be selectively
driven by the associated motor 62. Two cables 76 are mounted on
each reel 74 on either end thereof. The cables 76 are arranged to
be wound onto the reels 74 when the reels 74 are rotated in a
first, forward direction, and to be paid out from the reels 74 when
the reels 74 are wound in the opposite, reverse direction. The
cables 76 are secured to the carriage assembly 100 by cable
brackets 78.
[0025] The carriage assembly 100 has a longitudinal or lengthwise
dimension or axis X-X and a lateral dimension or axis Y-Y
perpendicular to the axis X-X (FIG. 2). The carriage assembly 100
includes a pair of laterally extending elongated crossbeams 102,
104 and a pair of cradle assemblies 110, 130 extending
longitudinally across the crossbeams 102, 104. The cradle
assemblies 110, 130 are supported on either end by the crossbeams
102, 104. The crossbeams 102, 104 are in turn supported by the
cables 76 via the cable brackets 78, which are affixed to opposed
ends 106 of the crossbeams 102, 104.
[0026] The crossbeams 102, 104 are spaced apart along the length of
the carriage assembly 100 and extend substantially parallel to one
another. The crossbeams 102, 104 may be formed of any suitable
material and of any suitable configuration to rigidly support the
boat 10. Suitable materials for the crossbeams 102, 104 may include
steel. According to some embodiments, the crossbeams 102, 104 are
I-beams (i.e., I-shaped in cross-section).
[0027] The cradle assembly 110 includes a pair of first coupling
brackets 112, a pair of second coupling brackets 114, a pair of
opposed runners 120, 122, securing bolts 111A, 111B, and nuts 113.
Similarly, the cradle assembly 130 includes components 132, 134,
140, 142, 131A, 131B and 133 corresponding to components 112, 114,
120, 122, 111A, 111B and 113, respectively. The runners 120, 122
are secured to one another and to the crossbeams 102 and 104 by the
coupling brackets 112, 114. Likewise, the runners 140, 142 are
secured to one another and to the crossbeams 102 and 104 by the
coupling brackets 132, 134.
[0028] The components of the cradle assemblies 110, 130 are
assembled as subassemblies 112', 114', 132' and 134' including the
coupling brackets 112, 114, 132, and 134, respectively. The
subassemblies 112', 114', 132', 134' form attachments to the
crossbeams 102, 104. The attachment or subassembly 112' including
the coupling bracket 112, the runners 120, 122 and the crossbeam
102 is exemplary of the subassemblies 114', 132', 134' including
the other three coupling brackets 114, 132, 134. The subassembly
112' will now be described in further detail; however, it will be
appreciated that this description likewise applies to the
subassemblies 114', 132', 134'.
[0029] With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, each coupling bracket 112
has opposed side walls 112A, 112B connected by a center wall 112C.
A bolt hole 112D is defined in a lower portion of the center wall
112C and bolt holes 112E are defined in the side walls 112A, 112B.
According to some embodiments, the coupling bracket 112 is C-shaped
in cross-section; however, other suitable shapes may be used (e.g.,
tubular). The coupling bracket 112 may be formed of any suitable
strong, rigid material such as steel. According to some
embodiments, each coupling bracket 112 is a unitary member (e.g.,
formed by bending, machining, stamping and/or welding).
[0030] Each runner 120, 122 (FIG. 3) includes a rail 120A, 122A and
a bumper 120G, 122G. Each rail 120A, 122A has an elongate tubular
body 120B, 122B and a bearing surface or wall 120C, 122C on the top
side of the respective rail 120B, 122B. The bumpers 120G, 122G are
mounted on the bearing walls 120C, 122C. The tubular bodies 120B,
122B each include an inner side wall 120D, 122D, a bottom wall
120E, 122E, and bolt holes 120F, 122F.
[0031] The rails 120A, 122A may be formed by any suitable material,
such as steel. The bumpers 120G, 122G may be formed of any suitable
material, such as rubber.
[0032] With reference to FIGS. 3 and 6, the coupling brackets 112
are mounted on opposed front and rear sides of the crossbeam 102
and secured to one another by a bolt 111A (which extends through
the bolt holes 112D and beneath the crossbeam 102) and a nut 113.
The runners 120, 122 are mounted on the crossbeam 102 with the
bottom walls 120E, 122E abutting the top wall 108 of the crossbeam
102. Bolts 111B extend through the runner bolt holes 120F, 122F and
the bracket bolt holes 112E and are secured by nuts 113. The bolts
111A, 111B are tightened to clamp the coupling brackets 112 onto
the crossbeam 102 and to firmly secure the runners 120, 122 to
opposed sides of the brackets 102 as illustrated.
[0033] Each bearing wall 120C, 122C is configured to form a bearing
surface that is angled with respect to horizontal when the
subassembly 112' is installed. The runners 120, 122 are oriented
with respect to the coupling brackets 112 and one another such that
the bearing walls 120C, 122C define a generally V-shaped trough T
therebetween to receive a hull structure 14. According to some
embodiments, each bearing wall 120C, 122C defines an angle A (FIG.
6) with respect to horizontal in the range of from about 0 to 25
degrees and, according to some embodiments, between about 5 and 25
degrees.
[0034] The remaining subassemblies 114', 132', 134' have
corresponding components and can be assembled in the same manner as
described above to construct the carriage assembly 100.
[0035] In use, the boat 10 is mounted on the carriage assembly 100
such that the hull structures 14 and 16 are seated in the troughs T
of the cradle assembly 110 and the cradle assembly 130,
respectively. For example, the carriage assembly 100 may be lowered
into the water W by the drive mechanism 60. The boat 10 is then
driven over the carriage assembly 100. The carriage assembly 100 is
then raised by the drive system 61 to capture the hull structures
14 and 16 in the trough T between the runners 120, 122 and in the
trough T between the runners 140, 142.
[0036] When the boat 10 is further raised out of the water W by the
carriage assembly 100, the weight of the boat 10 will be exerted as
a downward force or load D onto the bearing walls 120C, 122C of the
runners 120, 122, 140, 142. The angled orientation of the bearing
walls 120C, 122C and/or the angled orientation of the engaging
surfaces 14A, 16A of the hull structures 14, 16 will convert a
portion of the downward load into laterally outward and divergent
loads or forces E tending to force the runners 120 and 122 apart
from one another and tending to force the runners 140 and 142 apart
from one another. As a result, the runners 120, 122 apply a tension
load across the coupling brackets 112, 114 and the runners 140, 142
apply a tension load across the coupling brackets 132, 134. Because
the coupling brackets 112, 114, 132, 134 are rigid and the bolts
111B, 131B are particularly strong in longitudinal tension, the
runners 120, 122 and 140, 142 are prevented from being displaced or
further spaced apart from one another.
[0037] The carriage assembly 100 can thus provide improved
reliability and durability as compared to conventional designs. The
carriage assembly 100 can support relatively heavy multi-hulled
boats for extended periods of time and through repeated raising and
lowering cycles without displacing the runners 120, 122 or 140, 142
out of proper relative spacing and alignment.
[0038] The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and
is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although a few
exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described, those
skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications
are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially
departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this
invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be
included within the scope of this invention. Therefore, it is to be
understood that the foregoing is illustrative of the present
invention and is not to be construed as limited to the specific
embodiments disclosed, and that modifications to the disclosed
embodiments, as well as other embodiments, are intended to be
included within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *