U.S. patent application number 13/444797 was filed with the patent office on 2013-10-17 for boat docking apparatus that maintains boat away from shallow waters.
The applicant listed for this patent is Mark Miller. Invention is credited to Mark Miller.
Application Number | 20130269583 13/444797 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49323910 |
Filed Date | 2013-10-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130269583 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Miller; Mark |
October 17, 2013 |
BOAT DOCKING APPARATUS THAT MAINTAINS BOAT AWAY FROM SHALLOW
WATERS
Abstract
The docking apparatus of the present invention is designed and
configured to maintain a floating dock with a boat attached thereto
within deep enough areas of a lake, river, or the like so that the
boat or dock does not collide with land as it would if the water
was shallow. The water level of lakes, rivers, and the like vary
depending on the time of the year. A boat that is docked for an
extended period of time may collide with the floor of the lake,
river, or the like as the water level decreases. The docking
apparatus of the present invention has a depth sensing system that
senses the water depth directly underneath the floating dock and
the boat. When the water depth decreases below a predetermined
level, the docking apparatus of the present invention energizes an
electric motor to move the floating dock and boat along a chain and
away from shore onto deeper areas where the water depth is greater
than the predetermined level.
Inventors: |
Miller; Mark; (Camarillo,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Miller; Mark |
Camarillo |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49323910 |
Appl. No.: |
13/444797 |
Filed: |
April 11, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
114/263 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63C 1/02 20130101; E02B
3/064 20130101; B63H 15/00 20130101; B63B 21/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
114/263 |
International
Class: |
B63C 1/02 20060101
B63C001/02 |
Claims
1. A docking apparatus that is attached to a floating dock that is
on a lake, river, or the like and comprising: a timer electrically
connected to a depth sensing system that is electrically connected
to an electric motor; said electric motor having a rotating shaft
to which a pulley is attached; said pulley having a plurality of
pockets that pull a chain that is wrapped partially around said
pulley when said electric motor is energized to: rotate said
rotating shaft; said timer energizes said depth sensing system at
predetermined times to sense the water depth underneath said
floating dock; and when said water depth is lower than a
predetermined level, said electric motor is energized until said
water depth is greater than said predetermined level.
2. A docking apparatus that is attached to a floating dock that is
on a lake, river, or the like according to claim 1 wherein said
depth sensing system comprises: a hose connected to an air pump and
a pressure sensor so that said air pump can inject air inside said
hose, and said pressure sensor can sense the pressure inside said
hose at predetermined times set by said timer; and the lowermost
end of said hose is positioned inside the water of said lake,
river, or the like so that said pressure inside said hose after air
is injected by said air pump decreases as said water depth
decreases.
3. A docking apparatus that is attached to a floating dock that is
on a lake, river, or the like according to claim 1 wherein said
chain is arranged longitudinally along said floating dock and
comprising: a front end that is anchored underwater to the floor of
said lake, river, and the like past the farthest extension of said
floating dock; and a back end that is anchored to the shore of said
lake, river, and the like.
4. A docking apparatus that is attached to a floating dock that is
on a lake, river, or the like according to claim 3 wherein said
floating dock moves along said chain away from said shore when said
electric motor is energized.
5. A docking apparatus that is attached to a floating dock
comprising: a depth sensing system that periodically senses the
water depth underneath said floating dock; an electric motor that
is energized when said depth sensing system determines that said
water depth is below a predetermined level; and a chain along which
said floating dock moves when said electric motor is energized.
6. A docking apparatus that is attached to a floating dock
according to claim 5 wherein said depth sensing system comprises: a
hose connected to an air pump and a pressure sensor so that said
air pump can inject air inside said hose and said pressure sensor
can sense the pressure inside said hose; and said hose is
positioned so that said pressure inside said hose after air is
injected by said air pump decreases as said water depth
decreases.
7. A docking apparatus that is attached to a floating dock
according to claim 5 wherein said chain is arranged longitudinally
along said floating dock and comprising: a front end that is
anchored underwater past the farthest extension of said floating
dock; and a back end that is anchored to land outside the
water.
8. A docking apparatus that is attached to a floating dock
according to claim 7 wherein said floating dock moves along said
chain when said electric motor is energized.
9. A docking apparatus that is attached to a floating dock on a
lake, river, or the like comprising: a depth sensing system that
periodically senses the water depth underneath said floating dock;
and a motor that moves said floating dock away from the shore of
said lake, river, or the like when said depth sensing system
determines said water depth is below a predetermined level.
10. A docking apparatus that is attached to a floating dock
according to claim 9 wherein said depth sensing system comprises: a
hose connected to an air pump and a pressure sensor so that said
air pump can inject air inside said hose and said pressure sensor
can sense the pressure inside said hose; and said hose is
positioned so that said pressure inside said hose after air is
injected by said air pump decreases as said water depth
decreases.
11. A docking apparatus that is attached to a floating dock
according to claim 9 further comprising a chain that is arranged
longitudinally along said floating dock having a front end that is
anchored underwater past the farthest extension of said floating
dock; and a back end that is anchored to land outside the
water.
12. A docking apparatus that is attached to a floating dock
according to claim 11 wherein said floating dock moves along said
chain when said motor is energized.
13. A docking apparatus that is attached to a floating dock
according to claim 1 wherein said chain is replaced by a cable.
14. A docking apparatus that is attached to a floating dock
according to claim 5 wherein said chain is replaced by a cable.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of Invention
[0002] The present invention is related to an apparatus and method
of preventing a floating dock and a boat from being docked on areas
of a lake, river, or the like where the water depth is below a
predetermined value. More particularly, the invention relates to a
docking apparatus having a depth sensing system that periodically
senses the water depth directly underneath a floating dock and
boat. When the water depth decreases below a predetermined value,
the present invention energizes an electric motor to move the
tloating dock and boat along a chain and onto deeper waters where
the water depth is greater than the predetermined level.
[0003] 2. Description of Prior Art
[0004] Large bodies of water, such as lakes and rivers, often have
docks or docking systems for boats. People who own homes along the
shore of lakes and rivers will often dock their boats for extended
periods of time, for example, through the entire cold winter
season. It is well known to those skilled in the art that docking
boats along the shore of lakes and rivers creates problems caused
by the expected variation in the water level. The amount of water
or the water level in a lake or river varies throughout the year
for many reasons. For example, the water level increases in the
late winter and early spring months as the snow packs in the
mountains melt and the rain season begins. On the other hand, the
water level in lakes and rivers typically drop substantially in the
summer months as the water is released to reservoirs for use by the
public.
[0005] These variations in the water level of lakes, rivers, and
the like, have always presented difficulties for operators of small
watercrafts. Boats are typically docked in areas along the shore of
the lakes, rivers, and the like, that have shallower water depths.
As the water level drops at certain times of the year, docked boats
run the risk of being pushed down against land and damaging its
propeller, hull, and other components. Additionally, as the water
level drops, the docks to which the boats are attached are also
pushed against land. Once a dock ends up on land, it is extremely
difficult to push it back into the water.
[0006] Several docking techniques and docking system designs have
been developed to prevent or minimize the damage caused to boats
and docks by the variation in water level. U.S. Pat. No. 3,088,287
teaches a device that utilizes rails that is secured to the shore
and extended downwardly at an angle to the surface of the water.
The rails are long enough to reach the lowest anticipated water
level. A connecting bar is attached to the watercraft at one end
and to the rails on the other end. The connecting bar is allowed to
slide along the rails so as to allow the watercraft rise and fall
with the change in the water level. Although this device allows the
watercraft to be secure as the water level rises and falls, it
fails to protect the watercraft from damage resulting from its
collision with the floor of the lake or river when the water level
falls too much.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,138,965 also teaches another solution with a
railing system to which the watercraft is attached and allows the
watercraft to safely move up and down as the water level rises and
falls. U.S. Pat. No. 4,697,538 teaches a similar solution but uses
an extended arm that pivots up and down to allow the watercraft
rise and fall safely with the water level. However, none of these
solutions remotely address the issue of the watercraft being
damaged by its collision with the floor of the lake or river when
the water level drops too far.
[0008] The most common solution to this problem currently practiced
by those skilled in the art is a manual system consisting of
attaching the watercraft to the side of a floating dock. The
floating dock is tethered to the floor of the lake or river at one
end and to the shore of the lake or river at the opposite end with
a chain or a strong rope. As the water level drops and the lake or
river becomes shallower, the owner of the watercraft uses the chain
or rope to move the floating dock further away from the shore so
that the watercraft would be in a deeper area of the lake or river.
Thus, by pushing the watercraft further from the shore, its
collision with the floor of the lake or river when the water level
drops too much is averted. On the other hand, when the water level
rises, the owner of the watercraft utilizes the chain or strong
rope to pull the floating dock and watercraft closer to shore for
easier access.
[0009] Constantly having to move the floating dock and watercraft
closer and away from the shore of a lake or river to prevent the
watercraft from colliding with the floor of the lake or river as
the water level varies is extremely burdensome. Some watercraft
owners will often hire someone to periodically move their floating
dock and watercraft as the water level rises or falls. However,
hiring someone for this task can be a very expensive
proposition.
[0010] Unless these and other practical problems associated with
these docking systems or methods are resolved, the risk of boats
and other watercrafts from being damaged by their collision with
the floor of the lakes or rivers as the water level drops will
persist and any effective docking device will fail to be
realized.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of
the above-mentioned disadvantages occurring in the prior art. The
present invention is a docking apparatus with a timer that
periodically activates a depth sensing system to sense the water
depth directly underneath the floating dock and boat. When the
water depth is below a predetermined level, a strong electric motor
is energized to move the floating dock and boat linearly along a
chain and further away from the shore of the lake on to a deeper
section of the lake.
[0012] It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to
provide automatic movement of the floating dock away from the shore
and on to deeper waters whenever the water depth underneath the
floating dock is low enough to risk the boat being damaged by a
collision with land.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
automatic and periodic measurement of the water depth directly
underneath the floating dock so as to automatically move the boat
away from harm way when the water level drops.
[0014] Yet another object of the present invention is to reduce the
installation and operation complexity of the docking apparatus so
that the boat owner can install and operated it with ease.
[0015] The above objects and other features of the present
invention, as well as the structure and operation of various
embodiments of the present invention, are described in detail below
and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The accompanying drawings which are incorporated by
reference herein and form part of the specification, illustrate
various embodiments of the present invention and, together with the
description, further serve to explain the principles of the
invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to
make and use the invention. In the drawings, like reference numbers
indicate identical or functional similar elements. A more complete
appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages
thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better
understood by reference to the following detailed description when
considered in connection with the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the docking apparatus of the
present invention in its assembled state and installed on a
floating dock to which a boat is attached.
[0018] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the docking apparatus of the
present invention to show the long plate that slides down inside a
structural tubular frame.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the mechanical interaction
between the pulley that is attached to the electric motor and the
chain.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a side view of the chain anchored at both the
front end and the back end while running over and around the
pulley.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] Reference will now be made to the drawings in which various
elements of the present invention will be given numerical
designations and in which the invention will be discussed so as to
enable one skilled in the art and make use the invention.
[0022] The present invention comprises a docking apparatus 100 with
a timer 10, a depth sensing system 20, and an electric motor 30
that is attached to a pulley 40 that pulls a chain or cable 50. The
docking apparatus 100 has a primary source of electrical power
which can be a heavy duty battery, direct connection to
high-voltage power line, a regular electrical wall outlet, or even
solar panels. The docking apparatus 100 is rigidly attached to a
floating dock 200 and the chain 50 has a front end 51 that is
rigidly attached to the floor of the lake while the back end 52 is
rigidly attached to the shore. The timer 10 activates the depth
sensing system 20 to periodically check the water depth directly
underneath the floating dock. When the depth sensing system 20
determines that the water depth is less or greater than a
predetermined amount, the electric motor 30 is energized to rotate
the pulley 40. As the pulley 40 rotates, it begins moving the
floating dock 200 along the chain 50 away from the shore on to a
deeper section of the lake. Once the depth sensing system 20
determines that the water depth underneath the floating dock 200 is
greater than a predetermined amount, the motor 30 stops, and the
floating dock 200 stays at its new location.
[0023] Application of the present invention is with floating docks
to which various watercrafts can be attached. The watercrafts can
range from small boats to large ships, submarines, house boats, and
even jet-skis. In addition, instead of being rigidly attached to a
floating dock, the present invention can be rigidly attached to the
watercraft. Finally, the present invention can be used in any body
of water, such as lakes, rivers, oceans, water reservoirs, and the
like. However, the preferred embodiment described herein has been
configured to be used on a floating dock that is on a lake and to
which a boat is attached. It will be appreciated by those skilled
in the art that the principles of this invention may be applied to
any of the abovementioned configurations without departing from the
spirit of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the docking apparatus 100
of the present invention in its assembled state and installed on a
floating dock to which a boat is attached. FIG. 2 shows an exploded
view of the docking apparatus 100 of the present invention to
depict in greater detail the various components that comprise the
docking apparatus 100. A principal component of the present
invention is the depth sensing system 20 which, in the preferred
embodiment of the present invention, comprises an air pump 21, a
pressure sensor 22, and a hose 23. The hose 23 is connected to the
air output nozzle 21a of the air pump 21. The pressure sensor 22 is
hydraulically connected to the hose 23 so as to be able to sense
the pressure inside the hose 23. When the depth sensing system 20
is energized, the pump 21 injects air directly into the hose 23 to
which it is connected. Then the pressure sensor 22 senses the
pressure inside the hose 23. When the pressure inside the hose 23
is less than a predetermined value, the pressure sensor 22 allows
the depth sensing system 20 to output an electrical current that
then energizes a relay 26 to allow a large electrical current to
energize the electric motor 30.
[0025] As the electric motor 30 is energized, it generates high
torque to rotate a pulley 40. Both the electric motor 30 and the
pulley 40 are heavy duty items designed to support and pull heavy
loads. The pulley 40 has a small diameter to operate under high
torque and slow speeds. The pulley 40 is preferably cast from a
strong material, such as metal, and has a series of pockets 41 that
allow the links 51 of the chain 50 to nest in them as the pulley 40
is rotated. The exact number of pockets 41 depends on the size of
the chain 50. The preferred embodiment of the present invention
uses a pulley 40 having 5 pockets 41. The pockets 41 mechanically
engage with the chain 50 that is wrapped partially around the
pulley 40, as shown in FIG. 3. As the pulley 40 is rotated, the
pockets 41 pull against the chain links 51 so as to move the chain
50 in the direction of the rotation of the pulley 40.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 4, the chain 50 used in the preferred
embodiment of the present invention can be several yards in length.
The chain 50 is arranged longitudinally along the floating dock 200
with the front end 51 rigidly attached to the floor or bottom
surface of the lake at a predetermined distance away from the
shore. Similarly, the back end 52 of the chain 50 is rigidly
attached to the shore of the lake outside of the water. As such, as
the motor 30 is energized to rotate the pulley 40, the pockets 41
pull against the chain 50. Since the chain 50 is rigidly attached
at both its ends 51 and 52, the resulting force moves the pulley 40
and anything attached to it linearly along the length of the chain
50. Since the pulley 40 is attached to the motor 30 which is then
attached to the floating dock 200, the entire floating dock 200
moves linearly along the chain 50 as the pulley 40 is rotated by
the motor 30.
[0027] In essence, the chain 50 that is rigidly attached to the
shore and the floor of the lake serves as a railing system to guide
the movement of the floating dock 200. The chain 50 functioning as
a railing system may appear similar to the rails used in U.S. Pat.
No. 3,088,287 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,138,965. However, a substantial
difference with the present invention is that the chain 50 does not
extend along the shore or the floor of the lake. The front end 51
of the chain 50 in the present invention is rigidly attached to the
floor of the lake at a substantial distance away from the shore. On
the other hand, the back end 52 of the chain 50 is rigidly attached
to the shore of the lake. This is a very important distinction
because the boat 300 in the present invention is moved away from
the shore of the lake and on to deeper areas of the lake as the
water level drops. On the other hand, the prior art listed above
moves the boat along a fixed distance from the shore of the lake
rather than away from the shore as the water level of the lake
drops. This is an important distinction because the shore of a lake
rarely ever has a consistent steepness and shape. Hence, as the
boat is moved along a fixed distance from the shore, there is a
high likelihood that it will collide with the floor of the lake due
to the inconsistent steepness and shape. The prior art listed above
does not have any system that senses the water depth to ensure that
the boat does not collide with land. Rather, the prior art blindly
moves the boat along a fixed distance from the shore of the
lake.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 4, the chain 50 in the present invention
must be attached to the floating dock 200 in an orderly fashion so
that it is kept longitudinally in a straight line along or
underneath the floating dock 200 without any entanglements and with
a natural catenary curve at the ends of the dock 200 so that the
chain 50 will not interfere with a boat or its propeller as the
boat passes close to the floating dock 200.
[0029] Finally, the docking apparatus 100 of the present invention
has a timer 10 that is used to periodically activate the depth
sensing system 20. The timer 10 can be of the type that is commonly
used in sprinkler systems or household appliances. It simply has a
clock that can be programmed to release an electrical current once
a day or even once a week. The electrical current that is released
would traditionally be used to energize a sprinkler system, an
appliance, or some house lights. But instead, in the present
invention, the electrical current periodically released by the
timer 10 at predetermined times is used to energize the depth
sensing system 20.
[0030] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention,
however, the timer is within a microprocessor that is programmed to
periodically energize the depth sensing system 20. The
microprocessor is also part of the depth sensing system 20 as the
component that calculates or estimates the water depth underneath
the floating dock 200. The microprocessor, as part of the depth
sensing system 20, calculates the water depth based on the pressure
inside the hose 23 as sensed by the pressure sensor 22.
[0031] Hereinafter, the method of installing the docking apparatus
100 of the present invention to a floating dock 200 and the
operating method thereof will be given.
[0032] The docking apparatus 100 of the present invention is
installed by directly attaching it to a floating dock 200,
preferably to a rigid post 210 that is part of the floating dock
200. The timer 10 and the depth sensing system 20 are attached to a
long plate 75 that slides down inside a structural tubular frame
70. Although the timer 10 and the depth sensing system 20 are
attached to the same plate 75, they are spaced apart with
sufficient distance to allow an operator to access each without
disturbing the settings of the other. In addition, although
separate from each other, the timer 10 and depth sensing system 20
always maintain an electrical connection with each other. The
tubular frame 70 with the plate 75 inside is rigidly attached to
the post 210. Thereafter, the electric motor 30 is rigidly attached
to the floating dock 200, preferably on to the floor 220 and
adjacent to the post 210 for greater stability and accessibility.
With the motor 30 rigidly attached to the floating dock 200, the
pulley 40 is attached to the rotating shaft 31 of the motor 30.
Then the motor 30 is electrically connected to the depth sensing
system 20. Alternatively, the depth sensing system 20 can be in
communication with the motor 30 via Radio Frequency (RF) waves. In
essence, when appropriate, the depth sensing system 20 would emit
an RF signal that closes the relay 26 that is integral with the
motor 30 allowing electrical current to energize the motor 30.
[0033] Once the docking apparatus 100 of the present invention is
attached to the floating dock 200, the floating dock 200 is placed
on the water near the shore and positioned with its longitudinal
section being perpendicular to the shore. The back end 52 of the
chain 50 is then rigidly anchored to the shore outside the water.
On the other hand, the front end 51 of the chain 50 is rigidly
anchored to the floor of the lake in a deep section of the lake and
far enough from shore to be past the farthest extension of the
floating dock 200. Rather than anchoring the chain directly to the
shore and floor of the lake, the anchor points of the chain 50 may
be large blocks of concrete that are heavy and stable enough to
hold the floating dock 200 at a fixed location and secured against
wind and waves. As the chain 50 is anchored, it is passed over and
around the pulley 40 that is attached to the motor 30 so that it
mechanically engages the pockets 41 of the pulley 40, as shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4. Finally, the chain 50 is pulled taut before fully
being anchored in place so as to build tension thereon but ensuring
that the chain's 50 natural catenary curve lay will not interfere
with a boat propeller as it passes close to the floating dock
200.
[0034] Once the chain 50 is fully taut and anchored, the depth
sensing system 20 needs to be calibrated and programmed. First, a
hose 23 is connected to the outlet 21a of the pump 21. The hose 23
must be longer than the lowest level that the water underneath the
floating dock 200 can reach without letting the boat collide with
land. It is preferred that the hose 23 be long enough to reach the
floor of the lake at the deep section at which the front end 51 of
the chain 50 is anchored. With the hose 23 connected to the outlet
21a of the pump 21, the hose 23 is dropped into the water.
Secondly, the hose 23 is slowly lifted out of the water until the
end of the hose 23a is at the lowest depth that the water level can
reach before the boat runs the risk of colliding with land. Holding
the hose 23 at this position, the pressure sensor 22 is used to
sense the pressure inside the hose 23. The pressure sensor 22 is
adjusted to the predetermined pressure value at which the motor 30
must be energized to move the floating dock 200 further away from
the shore and on to deeper water. With the pressure sensor 22
calibrated and programmed, the entire hose 23 is allowed to drop
into the water. The preferred embodiment includes a screen 23b
attached to the end of the hose 23a so as to prevent the hose from
being clogged with debris which may result in false readings by the
pressure sensor 22.
[0035] With the depth sensing system 20 properly set and
programmed, the operator uses the timer 10 to program the times at
which the depth sensing system 20 needs to sense the water depth
directly underneath the floating dock 200. The timer 10 can be set
to activate as often as 52 times per week although it is often not
necessary to sense the water level more than once, or two times per
day.
[0036] Once the docking apparatus 100 of the present invention is
properly installed and programmed, the operator and owner of the
boat no longer needs to manually move the floating dock when the
water level drops. Instead, at the predetermined times programmed
in the timer 10, the depth sensing system 20 will sense the water
depth directly underneath the floating dock 200 by sensing the
pressure inside the hose 23 after the air pump 21 injects air into
the hose 23. When the water level or water depth underneath the
floating dock 200 is high, the end of the hose 23a that is resting
on the floor of the lake will allow for high levels of pressure
within the hose 23. In essence, the amount of water inside the hose
23 will extend from the floor of the lake up to the water level.
The higher the water extends up or the greater the water column,
the more force or pressure is required by the pump 21 to inject air
through the hose 23, thus the higher the pressure inside the hose
23. As the water level or water depth underneath the floating dock
200 decreases, the pressure inside the hose 23 decreases because
the height extension or water column inside is reduced and less
pressure is required by the pump 21 to inject air through the hose
23, thus the pressure inside the hose 23 decreases. When the
pressure inside the hose 23 drops to the predetermined value, the
motor 30 is energized because the water depth has dropped too much
and the boat is in jeopardy of colliding with land. When the motor
30 is energized, the floating dock 200 is moved along the chain 50
further away from shore until the pressure inside the hose 23 is
raised back to acceptable levels according to the adjustable
pressure sensor ensuring that the boat is on deeper and safer
waters.
[0037] It is also recognized by one skilled in the art that the
operator can stand on the floating dock 200 and manually activate
the motor 30 to rotate the pulley 40 in a direction toward the
shore. This is done when the operator wishes to move the floating
dock 200 out of the water and on to the shore. It is customary to
attach wheels to the bottom of the floating dock 200, thus, making
it easier to roll the floating dock 200 on to shore for storage or
repair.
[0038] An alternative embodiment of the docking apparatus 100 of
the present invention connects the timer 10 to a daylight sensor so
that the depth sensing system 20 is activated once per day in the
morning when daylight appears over the sky.
[0039] Another alternative embodiment of the docking apparatus 100
of the present invention utilizes a depth sensing system 20 that
senses the depth of the water with sonar or sonic waves rather than
by measuring the pressure inside the hose 23.
[0040] Another alternative embodiment of the docking apparatus 100
of the present invention replaces the pressure sensor 22 with a
mercury reed switch that hangs on the floor of the lake such that
when the water level changes, the switch is activated as it becomes
suspended vertically above the floor of the lake or lays down flat
on the floor of the lake.
[0041] Yet another alternative embodiment of the docking apparatus
100 of the present invention replaces the pressure sensor 22 with a
float switch attached to a wheel at the bottom end of a sliding
pole and positioned to roll or slide on the floor of the lake. The
sliding pole is designed to slide freely in the vertical direction.
Thus, as the water depth decreases, the wheel is pushed upward to
activate a switch that would then energize the motor.
[0042] Yet another alternative embodiment of the docking apparatus
100 of the present invention uses a microprocessor for more
demanding applications and for a higher level of accuracy. In
addition, with a microprocessor, the depth sensing system can be
configured to activate the motor away from shore when the water
level decreases and toward the shore when the water level
increases.
[0043] It is understood that the described embodiments of the
present invention are illustrative only, and that modifications
thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, this
invention is not to be regarded as limited to the embodiments
disclosed, but to be limited only as defined by the appended claims
therein.
* * * * *