U.S. patent application number 16/052872 was filed with the patent office on 2019-02-07 for marine boarding ladder.
The applicant listed for this patent is LIPPERT COMPONENTS, INC.. Invention is credited to Mark HOWIE.
Application Number | 20190039694 16/052872 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 65232000 |
Filed Date | 2019-02-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20190039694 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HOWIE; Mark |
February 7, 2019 |
MARINE BOARDING LADDER
Abstract
A marine ladder includes a base and a stair assembly connected
to the base. The stair assembly includes four telescoping
assemblies, each having an outermost member and one or more
telescoping members telescopingly extendable therefrom. A step is
connected between the respective outermost members of the four
telescoping assemblies. Further steps are connected between
respective telescoping members of the four telescoping
assemblies.
Inventors: |
HOWIE; Mark; (Edwardsburg,
MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LIPPERT COMPONENTS, INC. |
Elkhart |
IN |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
65232000 |
Appl. No.: |
16/052872 |
Filed: |
August 2, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62540955 |
Aug 3, 2017 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63B 27/14 20130101;
B63B 2027/141 20130101; B63B 27/146 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B63B 27/14 20060101
B63B027/14 |
Claims
1. A marine boarding ladder comprising: a base configured for
connection to a boat; a stair assembly comprising: a first
telescoping assembly having a corresponding outermost member
connected to the base; a second telescoping assembly having a
corresponding outermost member connected to the base, the second
telescoping assembly spaced from and parallel to the first
telescoping assembly; a third telescoping assembly having a
corresponding outermost member connected to the outermost member of
the first telescoping assembly, the third telescoping assembly
spaced from and parallel to the first telescoping assembly and the
second telescoping assembly; and a fourth telescoping assembly
having a corresponding outermost member connected to the outermost
member of the second telescoping assembly, the fourth telescoping
assembly spaced from and parallel to the first telescoping
assembly, the second telescoping assembly, and the third
telescoping assembly; the outermost member of each of the first,
second, third, and fourth telescoping assemblies having a first end
and a second end; each of the first, second, third, and fourth
telescoping assemblies further having a corresponding first
telescoping member disposed within and telescopingly extendable
from and retractable into the corresponding outermost member
through the second end thereof; a first step connected to the
outermost member of each of the first, second, third, and fourth
telescoping assemblies; a second step connected to the first
telescoping members of each of the first, second, third, and fourth
telescoping assemblies; and at least one lateral stair support
connected to the stair assembly and engagable with the boat.
2. The marine boarding ladder of claim 1 wherein the at least one
lateral stair support comprises a first lateral stair support
connected to the outer tube of the first telescoping assembly.
3. The marine boarding ladder of claim 2 wherein the at least one
lateral support comprises a second lateral stair support connected
to the outer tube of the second telescoping assembly.
4. The marine boarding ladder of claim 2 wherein the at least one
lateral stair support has a telescopically-adjustable length.
5. The marine boarding ladder of claim 1 further comprising a
handrail connected to the base and to the stair assembly.
6. The marine boarding ladder of claim 5 wherein the handrail is
connected to the base and to the outer tube of one of the third
telescoping assembly and the fourth telescoping assembly.
7. The marine boarding ladder of claim 6 further comprising a
second handrail connected to the base and to the outer tube of the
other of the third telescoping assembly and the fourth telescoping
assembly.
8. The marine boarding ladder of claim 1, each of the first,
second, third, and fourth telescoping assemblies further comprising
a second telescoping member telescopingly extendable from and
retractable into said first telescoping member; the marine boarding
ladder further comprising a third step connected to the second
telescoping member of each of the first, second, third, and fourth
telescoping assemblies.
9. The marine boarding ladder of claim 1, the first telescoping
member of one or more of the first, second, third, and fourth
telescoping assemblies comprising a stop located nearer the
midpoint than the second end thereof, the stop configured to limit
extension of the second telescoping member of the one or more of
the first, second, third, and fourth telescoping assemblies
therefrom.
10. The marine boarding ladder of claim 1 wherein the first step is
connected to the outer tubes of the first and second telescoping
assemblies or to the outer tubes of the third and fourth
telescoping assemblies through an intervening step support.
11. The marine boarding ladder of claim 1 further comprising a
lanyard disposed within and extending from the outermost tube of
one of the first, second, third, and fourth telescoping assemblies,
and connected to the first telescoping member of the one of the
first, second, third, and fourth telescoping assemblies or to a
further telescoping member disposed within and extendable from the
first telescoping member.
12. The marine boarding ladder of claim 1, the outermost member of
one or more of the first, second, third, and fourth telescoping
assemblies comprising a stop located intermediate the first end and
the second end thereof, the stop configured to limit extension of
the first telescoping member of the one or more of the first,
second, third, and fourth telescoping assemblies therefrom.
13. The marine boarding ladder of claim 12, the stop located nearer
the midpoint than the second end of the outermost member of one or
more of the first, second, third, and fourth telescoping
assemblies.
14. The marine boarding ladder of claim 12, the first end of the
first telescoping member of the assembly one or more of the first,
second, third, and fourth telescoping assemblies comprising a boss
configured to interfere with the stop.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119
of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/540,955, filed on
Aug. 3, 2017, and incorporates by reference the disclosure thereof
in its entirety.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] It is known to provide a boat with a boarding ladder to
facilitate boarding the boat from within a body of water, for
example, a lake or river in which the boat is situated. Such a
boarding ladder typically is exactly that--a ladder including a
pair of elongated stringers or rails and a number of rungs fixedly
connected therebetween.
[0003] A boarding ladder typically is connected to the deck of a
pontoon boat or the transom of a v-hulled boat. The ladder may be
pivotably connected to the boat between a deployed configuration in
which one or more rungs are disposed below the water line to
facilitate boarding, and a stowed configuration in which the ladder
is completely out of the water to facilitate operation of the boat
while it is underway.
[0004] Although such boarding ladders offer convenience, they are
not without certain drawbacks. For example, such ladders often are
lightweight and flimsy and do not inspire confidence in persons
using them. Also, such ladders, when deployed, typically are
oriented vertically. This orientation may make it difficult for
certain persons to use the ladders, and it generally renders the
ladders unusable by dogs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a pontoon boat
with a telescopingly retractable ladder attached thereto, the
ladder in an extended state;
[0006] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the telescopingly
retractable ladder of FIG. 1 in the extended state;
[0007] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the telescopingly
retractable ladder of FIG. 1 in the extended state;
[0008] FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the telescopingly
retractable ladder of FIG. 1 in the extended state;
[0009] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the telescopingly
retractable ladder of FIG. 1 in a retracted state;
[0010] FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the telescopingly
retractable ladder of FIG. 1 in the retracted state;
[0011] FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the telescopingly
retractable ladder of FIG. 1 in the retracted state; and
[0012] FIG. 8 is a side elevation cross-sectional detail view of
the telescopingly retractable ladder of FIG. 1 in the extended
state.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The drawings show an illustrative embodiment of a marine
boarding ladder 10 according to the present disclosure. FIG. 1
shows the ladder 10 in a deployed configuration, attached to a deck
D of a pontoon boat B in an illustrative manner. FIGS. 2-8 show the
ladder 10 in greater detail in deployed and stowed
configurations.
[0014] The ladder 10 includes a telescoping stair assembly 12
connected to a mounting base 14, first and second handrails 16A,
16B connected to the stair assembly and the mounting base, and
first and second lateral supports 18A, 18B connected to the stair
assembly, as will be discussed further below.
[0015] The telescoping stair assembly 12 includes first through
fourth telescoping assemblies 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D (sometimes
referred to herein individually or collectively as telescoping
assemblies 20n). Each of the first through fourth telescoping
assemblies 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D includes a corresponding generally
tubular or annular outermost member 22A, 22B, 22C, 22D (sometimes
referred to herein individually or collectively as the outermost
members 22n) having a first end and second end. Each of the first
through fourth telescoping assemblies 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D also
includes a corresponding first telescoping member 24A, 24B, 24C,
24D (sometimes referred to herein individually or collectively as
the first telescoping members 24n) having a first end and a second
end. The first end of each of the first telescoping members 24A,
24B, 24C, 24D is telescopingly extendable from and retractable into
an interior region of the corresponding outermost member 20A, 20B,
20C, 20D through the second end thereof. Each of the first
telescoping members 24A, 24B, 24C, 24D may be a final telescoping
member, that is, a telescoping member with no further telescoping
member connected thereto.
[0016] As shown, each of the first through fourth telescoping
assemblies 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D may also include a corresponding
second telescoping 26A, 26B, 26C, 26D (sometimes referred to herein
individually or collectively as the second telescoping members 26n)
having a first end and a second end. The first end of each of the
second telescoping members 26A, 26B, 26C, 26D is telescopingly
extendable from and retractable into an interior region of the
corresponding first telescoping member 24A, 24B, 24C, 24D through
the second end thereof. In embodiments including the second
telescoping members 26A, 26B, 26C, 26D, the second telescoping
members may be final telescoping members.
[0017] Also, as shown, each of the first through fourth telescoping
assemblies 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D may further include a corresponding
third telescoping member 28A, 28B, 28C, 28D (sometimes referred to
herein individually or collectively as the third telescoping
members 28n) having a first end and a second end. The first end of
each of the third telescoping members 28A, 28B, 28C, 28D is
telescopingly extendable from and retractable into an interior
region of the corresponding second telescoping member 26A, 26B,
26C, 26D through the second end thereof. In embodiments including
the third telescoping members 28A, 28B, 28C, 28D, the third
telescoping members may be final telescoping members.
[0018] Further, as shown, each of the first through fourth
telescoping assemblies 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D may also include a
corresponding fourth telescoping member 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D
(sometimes referred to herein individually or collectively as the
fourth telescoping members 30n) having a first end and a second
end. The first end of each of the fourth telescoping members 30A,
30B, 30C, 30D is telescopingly extendable from and retractable into
an interior region of the corresponding third telescoping member
28A, 28B, 28C, 28D through the second end thereof. In embodiments
including the fourth telescoping members 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, the
fourth telescoping members may be final telescoping members. In the
embodiment shown, the fourth telescoping members 30A, 30B, 30C,
30D, are final telescoping members.
[0019] In other embodiments, each of the first through fourth
telescoping assemblies 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D may include one or more
additional corresponding telescoping members extendable from the
second ends of the fourth telescoping members 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D
(and subsequent telescoping members) in a similar manner.
[0020] Each of the foregoing telescoping members (for example, the
first telescoping members 24A, 24B, 24C, 24D) except the final
telescoping members typically would be generally tubular or annular
to permit any subsequent telescoping members (for example, the
second telescoping members 26A, 26B, 26C, 26D) to be receivable
therein, as discussed above. The final telescoping members (for
example, the fourth telescoping members 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D) may be,
but need not be, generally tubular or annular.
[0021] Any of the members 22n, 24n, 26n, 28n, 30n and any
subsequent members (not shown) receiving another of the members
24n, 26n, 28n, 30n and any subsequent members (not shown) may be
referred to herein as a receiving member. Any of the members 24n,
26n, 28n, 30n and any subsequent members (not shown) received by
another of the members 22n, 24n, 26n, 28n, 30n and any subsequent
members (not shown) may be referred to herein as a received
member.
[0022] Any or all of the receiving members (for example, any or all
of the outermost members 22A, 22B, 22C, 22D, or any or all of the
first telescoping members 24A, 24B, 24C, 24D) may define or
otherwise include a corresponding stop 32 configured to limit the
extension travel of the corresponding received member (for example,
the corresponding one(s) of the first telescoping members 24A, 24B,
24C, 24D or the second telescoping members 26A, 26B, 26C, 26D)
received therein. The final telescoping members (for example, the
fourth telescoping members 30n in the embodiment shown) may, but
need not, include or define a stop 32. Any or all of the stops 32
may be defined by crimping the corresponding receiving member as
shown, so that a corresponding portion of the wall defining the
receiving member extends inwardly into the interior region of the
receiving member. Alternatively, any or all of the stops 32 could
be embodied as an interfering structure extending inwardly into the
interior region of the receiving member from an inner surface
thereof. Any such stop 32 may be located at any desired point of
the respective member 22n, 24n, 26n, 28n, 30n between the first end
and the second end thereof. In an embodiment, any such stop 32 may
be located between the midpoint and the second end of the
respective member 22n, 24n, 26n, 28n, 30n. For example, as shown,
any such stop 32 may be located between the midpoint and the second
end of the respective member 22n, 24n, 26n, 28n, 30n, nearer to the
midpoint than to the second end thereof.
[0023] Also, any or all of the received members may define or
otherwise include a corresponding boss 34 configured to interfere
with the stop 32 of the corresponding receiving member. Any or all
of the bosses 34 may be defined as an outwardly flared portion of
the received member, as shown, or embodied as a structure connected
to and extending outwardly from the surface of the wall defining
the received member.
[0024] The outermost member 22C of the third telescoping assembly
20C is fixedly connected to the outermost member 20A of the first
telescoping assembly 20A, for example, by first and second
standoffs 36, 38, so that the third telescoping assembly 20C and
its constituent members 22C, 24C, 26C, 28C, 30C are spaced from and
parallel to connected to the first telescoping assembly 20A and its
constituent members 22A, 24A, 26A, 28A, 30A. Similarly, the
outermost member 22D of the fourth telescoping assembly 20D is
fixedly connected to the outermost member 20B of the second
telescoping assembly 20B, for example, by third and fourth
standoffs 40, 42 so that the fourth telescoping assembly 20D and
its constituent members 22D, 24D, 26D, 28D, 30D are spaced from and
parallel to connected to the second telescoping assembly 20B and
its constituent members 22B, 24B, 26B, 28B, 30B.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, a cable 44 may be attached to the fourth
telescoping member 30n (or other final telescoping member) of any
of the telescoping assemblies 20n and routed through the interior
region thereof, the interior region of the outermost member 22n of
the telescoping assembly 20n, the interior regions of any
intervening telescoping members (the first, second, and third
telescoping members 24n, 26n, 28n in the embodiment shown), and
outwardly from the outermost member 22n through an aperture 47
defined thereby. As shown, the cable 44 is associated with the
third telescoping assembly 20C in the foregoing manner. In other
embodiments, the cable 44 could be associated with any or all other
ones of the telescoping members 20n in the foregoing manner. A
cable clamp or other structure (not shown) may be provided to
selectively secure the free end or other portion of each such cable
44.
[0026] A first step 22E is connected to the respective outermost
members 22n of the first through fourth telescoping assemblies 20n
proximate the mounting base 14, as will be discussed further below.
The first step 22E may be directly connected to the outermost
members 22n, or it may be connected thereto through one or more
intervening structures, for example, a first support rod (not
shown) extending between the first and second telescoping
assemblies 20A, 20B and a second support rod (not shown) extending
between the third and fourth telescoping assemblies 20C, 20D.
[0027] A second step 22E' is connected to the respective outermost
members 22n of the first through fourth telescoping assemblies 20n
proximate the second ends thereof. The second step 22E' may be
directly connected to the outermost members 22n in a manner similar
to that in which the first step 22E is connected to the outermost
members or otherwise.
[0028] A third step 24E may be similarly connected to the
respective first telescoping members 24n of the first through
fourth telescoping assemblies 20n; a fourth step 26E may be
similarly connected to the respective second telescoping members
26n of the first through fourth telescoping assemblies 20n; a fifth
step 28E may be similarly connected to the respective third
telescoping members 28n of the first through fourth telescoping
assemblies 20n; and a sixth step 30E may be similarly connected to
the respective fourth telescoping members 30n of the first through
fourth telescoping assemblies 20n.
[0029] The first and second telescoping assemblies 20A, 20B
cooperate to define a first plane, and the third and fourth
telescoping assemblies 20C, 20D cooperate to define a second plane
generally parallel to the first plane. Each of the steps 22E, 22E',
24E, 26E, 28E, 30E defines a corresponding stepping surface, and
each of the stepping surfaces defines a corresponding plane. The
steps 22E, 22E', 24E, 26E, 28E, 30E are connected to the
corresponding telescoping assemblies 20n so that the planes defined
by the steps are parallel to each other. In an embodiment, the
steps 22E, 22E', 24E, 26E, 28E, 30E are connected to the
corresponding telescoping assemblies 20n so that the first and
second planes defined by the telescoping assemblies 20n are
inclined at an angle .alpha. of about 50 degrees with respect to
planes defined by the steps. In other embodiments, the angle
.alpha. may vary from about 10 degrees to about 60 degrees.
[0030] As suggested above, the stair assembly 12 is connected to a
mounting base 14 configured for connection to a boat, for example,
to a deck of a pontoon boat, or to a swim platform connected to a
boat. As shown, the mounting base 14 includes a first elongated
base member 14A connected to and extending from the first
telescoping assembly 20A, and a second elongated base member 14B
connected to and extending from the first telescoping assembly 20B,
for example, proximate the first step 22E. Each of the first and
second base members 14A, 14B extends from the corresponding
telescoping assembly 20A, 20B generally parallel to the planes
defined by the steps 22E, 24E, 26E, 28E, 30E. The first and second
base members 14A, 14B may be parallel to each other.
[0031] The mounting base 14 may include a first mounting bracket
14C connected to the first base member 14A near the free end
thereof, and a second mounting bracket 14D connected to the second
base member 14B near the free end thereof. The mounting base 14 may
also include a third mounting bracket 14E having a first end
connected to the first base member 14A near the end thereof
connected to the first telescoping assembly 20A, and a second end
connected to the second base member 14B near the end thereof
connected to the second telescoping assembly 20B. Alternatively,
the third mounting brackets could be embodied as a third mounting
bracket connected to the first base member 14A near the end thereof
connected to the first telescoping assembly 20A and a separate
fourth mounting bracket connected to the second base member 14B
near the end thereof connected to the second telescoping assembly
20B. Each of the foregoing mounting brackets may define one or more
apertures therethrough configured to receive a mechanical fastener
for securing the mounting brackets and, thereby, the ladder 10, to
the deck or other portion of a boat or swim platform.
[0032] In an embodiment, the mounting base 14 could be pivotably
mounted to the deck D or otherwise to the boat B.
[0033] The first hand rail 16A is shown as a tubular or cylindrical
member connected at a first end to the outermost member 22C of the
third telescoping assembly 20C, and near a second end to the first
base member 14A via an intervening first strut 16C. Similarly, the
second hand rail 16B is shown as being connected at a first end to
the outermost member 22D of the fourth telescoping assembly 20D,
and near a second end to the second base member 14B via an
intervening second strut 16D.
[0034] The first lateral support 18A is shown as an elongated
member having a first end connected to the outermost member 22A of
the first telescoping assembly 20A and a free end configured for
abutment with a portion of the boat B, for example, an end of
pontoon of a pontoon boat. As such, the free end of the first
lateral support 18A may be provided with an end cap 19 made of or
faced with a material selected to preclude or inhibit damage to the
portion of the boat B while in abutment therewith. The first
lateral support 18A may be embodied, as shown, as a telescoping
assembly, for example, an assembly having an outer tube and an
inner tube extendable from and retractable into the outer tube. The
inner and outer tubes may define corresponding apertures configured
for alignment with each other with the inner and outer tubes set a
various overall lengths. A pin may be extended through
corresponding ones of the apertures to pin the inner tube to the
outer tube at a desired overall length. The second lateral support
18B may be configured in a similar manner and connected to the
outermost member 22B of the second telescoping assembly 20B in a
similar manner. The first and second lateral supports 18A, 18B may
be oriented so that they lie in a plane parallel to the planes
defined by the steps 22E, 22E', 24E, 26E, 28E, 30E. The first and
second lateral supports 18A, 18B also may be oriented so that they
are generally perpendicular to the portion of the boat they abut
when in abutment therewith.
[0035] In use, the ladder 10 may connected to the deck D of the
pontoon boat B. For example, the mounting brackets 14C, 14D, 14E
may be placed in abutment with the deck D and the ladder may be
secured thereto using fasteners inserted through the apertures
defined by the brackets and driven into the deck. The lengths of
the first and second lateral supports 18A, 18B, if adjustable, may
be adjusted so that the free ends of the first and second lateral
supports or end caps thereon may abut or nearly abut an adjacent
portion of the boat B when the ladder 10 is unloaded, that is, when
it is not supporting a user. The adjacent portion of the boat B may
be, as shown, an aft end of a pontoon P. In the event the free ends
or end caps of the first and second lateral supports 18A, 18B do
not abut the adjacent portion of the boat B when the ladder 10 is
unloaded, they may be located so that they become abutted with the
adjacent portion of the boat when the ladder becomes loaded, that
is, when it is supporting a user, with little rotation or pivoting
or flexing of the outermost members 22n of the telescoping
assemblies 22n with respect to the mounting base 14.
[0036] The ladder 10 may be placed into a deployed configuration
from a stowed configuration by releasing the free end of the cable
44, thereby allowing the various telescoping members 24n, 26n, 28n,
30n to extend from the members 22n, 24n, 26n, 28n, 30n within which
they are received. The various telescoping members 24n, 26n, 28n,
30n may extend from the members 22n, 24n, 26n, 28n, 30n within
which they are received under their own weight. If the various
telescoping members 24n, 26n, 28n, 30n do not extend from the
members 22n, 24n, 26n, 28n, 30n within which they are received
under their own weight, a user may pull any of the members or steps
connected thereto to extend them from the members within which they
are received. In the deployed configuration, at least one of the
steps 24E, 26E, 28E, 30E may be below the waterline. With the
ladder 10 in the deployed configuration, a user, for example, a
human or a dog, may climb the ladder.
[0037] The ladder 10 may be placed in a stowed configuration from a
deployed configuration by pulling on the cable(s) 44, thereby
drawing the final telescoping members toward and into the outermost
members and any intervening telescoping members. With the
telescoping members fully received within the corresponding
receiving members (or in any state of partial retraction), the free
end (or intermediate portion) of the cable 44 may be secured,
thereby securing the ladder 10 in the stowed configuration.
[0038] The ladder 10 has been described and illustrated alone and
in connection with a pontoon boat B. The ladder 10 also could be
used in connection with a dock, a floating swim platform, a swim
platform connected to a boat, or another structure disposed upon,
disposable upon, or adjacent a body of water. The mounting base 14
could readily be modified to enable use of the ladder 10 with
another form of boat, for example, a speedboat.
[0039] The embodiment disclose herein are illustrative and should
not be construed to limit the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *