Abstract:
An apparatus for lifting and storing a boat above water and particularly for shallow water, is made up of a pair of laterally spaced floats fixedly secured to inner ends of a pair of beams whose outer ends are pivotally secured to a dock, a set of fixed posts, a bulkhead or other fixed structure. The floats and beams form a well having an entrance away from which is mounted a rear bar and further away from the rear bar and on the beams is mounted a front bar. A boat mounting frame onto which a boat can be driven under its own power is pivotally mounted on the rear bar such that after a boat is loaded on the boat mounting frame, the frame can be tilted such that its leading end engages the front bar and maintains the boat above the water in a position suited for storage. A method of forming the apparatus and a kit containing the apparatus is also disclosed.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
   This invention relates to a self-contained boat docking apparatus suited to being detachably secured to a fixed dock, a set of fixed posts, a bulkhead or other such fixed structure. The invention apparatus is used for the purpose of docking, particularly in shallow water, and elevating a pleasure boat with its passengers. The invention further relates to a method and kit for creating such apparatus. 
   BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
   The self-contained apparatus, method and kit of the present invention is based upon and represents an alternative and useful form of the apparatus, method and kit described in applicant&#39;s prior U.S. Pat. No. 6,602,022 issued Aug. 5, 2003. The contents of hereafter referred to &#39;022 patent, are incorporated herein by reference. 
   As with the invention apparatus described in the &#39;022 patent, the apparatus of the present invention is intended to facilitate removal of a pleasure boat from the water, elevating the boat, maintaining the boat in a stored position elevated above the water, and launching of the boat back into the water when desired. Pleasure boats of the kind to which the present invention is particularly adapted are, as with the invention of the &#39;022 patent, thought of, for purpose of the present description, as being generally within the range of about fifteen to twenty-four feet in length and within the range of about 800 to 6,000 pounds in weight. 
   Further useful background information related to the present invention is to be found in the background information given in the &#39;022 patent, and therefore will not be repeated here. What is to be recognized however is that the apparatus, method and kit of the &#39;022 patent has brought about a significant improvement in the way pleasure boats are removed from the water, elevated, stored above and later returned to the water. Extensive use of the present invention docking apparatus incorporating the invention of the &#39;022 patent is also to be recognized as having revealed a need for a self-contained docking structure exhibiting both the advantages of the docking structure of the &#39;022 patent as well as the advantage of not being dependent for its construction and operation on any other docking structure. It further exhibits the advantage of being detachably and pivotally securable to a fixed dock, a fixed set of posts, a bulkhead and the like as a self contained operable apparatus. 
   With the foregoing in mind, the primary object of the present invention becomes that of providing a self contained pleasure boat docking apparatus which can operate without requiring other docking structure and in addition can be detachably and pivotally secured to an existing dock, a bulkhead, or other fixed objects such as a pair of posts adjacent a body of water. The apparatus of the present invention also has an object that of being uniquely adapted for use with a boat support frame, such as found in the &#39;022 patent, onto which the boat can be driven, particularly in shallow water, loaded with passengers, and positioned ready for storage using only the motive power of the boat itself and which, after being positioned on the boat support frame, can with the boat support frame be pivoted so as to elevate the boat above the water for storage and later be pivoted in an opposite direction so as to be able to discharge the boat into the water for further use. The apparatus of the invention also has as an object that of being adapted to use a winching apparatus such as disclosed in the &#39;022 patent. 
   A further object is that of providing an apparatus of the kind described which can be quickly assembled, quickly removed from the water and quickly disassembled. 
   Another object is that of providing a method and kit for creating the described apparatus. Other objects will become apparent through the detailed description to follow. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A self-contained apparatus is provided comprising and adapted for use with a rectangular boat support frame of a construction similar to that illustrated in the &#39;022 patent, the boat support frame being adapted to receive a pleasure boat loaded with passengers and having adjustably supported laterally spaced support pads mounted on and running lengthwise of the boat support frame. A rear bar on which the boat support frame is pivotally mounted extends across and has its ends supported by buoyant float structures which effectively form and are located on opposite sides of a well. The support frame is mounted in a manner which permits load on the rear bar to be distributed onto the float structures. A pair of beams which further define and are located on opposite sides of the well are each adjustable lengthwise, are each secured at one end to one of the float structures and at an opposite end are each pivotally and vertically adjustably connected to a dock, post, bulkhead or other fixed surface. A front bar, located parallel to and forwardly of the rear bar is supported by and extends between and below the beams. The invention apparatus is particularly adapted for docking a pleasure boat in shallow water of three feet or even slightly less in depth. Within the scope of the invention there is also described the method of creating the described apparatus utilizing the mentioned boat support frame, beams, rear and front bars, and buoyant structures. There is also described as part of the invention a kit made up of such parts with instructions for assembling such parts. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of one of a pair of float mounting frames used in the invention apparatus to each of which a pair of floats are attached. 
       FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of the frame of  FIG. 1  with a pair of floats attached so as to form one of a pair of float-frame assemblies used in the invention apparatus. 
       FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the floating and pivotally supported dock portion of the invention apparatus fitted with a pair of the laterally spaced float-frame assemblies of  FIG. 2 , the rear bar of the invention about which the boat support frame pivots and the front bar of the invention which supports the weight of the bow of the boat on the boat support frame after the boat has been pivoted and winched to its stored position by means of a winch indicated in dashed lines. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a vertically adjustable portion of the inner end of one of the beams and its pivotal and vertically adjustable metal fabricated bracket connection secured to a fixed surface. 
       FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the floating and pivotally supported dock portion of the invention apparatus adapted for and fitted with a boat support frame (shown in dashed lines), the front and rear bars of the invention and indicating the boat support frame pivotally mounted on the rear bar and resting on the front bar after being pivoted and winched into place. 
       FIG. 6  is a side elevation view taken in the direction of line  6 — 6  in  FIG. 5  illustrating the form of the metal fabricated brackets on which the front and rear bars are mounted. 
       FIG. 7  is a side elevation view of the floating and pivotally supported dock portion of the invention apparatus fitted with the boat support frame and illustrating a pleasure boat resting on the boat support frame (both the boat support frame and boat are shown in dashed lines), which in turn is shown in  FIG. 7  pivotally mounted and resting on the rear bar, but above the front bar and indicating the trailing end of the boat support frame pivoted downwardly in the position assumed by the boat support frame when ready to receive the boat. 
       FIG. 8  is an elevation view of the floating and pivotally supported dock portion of the invention apparatus as shown in  FIG. 7  but with the leading end of the boat support frame on which the boat rests (both the boat support frame and boat are shown in dashed lines) shown resting on the front bar and with the boat in an elevated position above the water suitable for storage. 
       FIG. 9  is a side view illustrating a dual wheel structure adapted for being inserted into the rear bar on which the boat frame pivots when it is desired to transport the invention apparatus over land; one wheel structure being shown in place with the other wheel structure being shown in an exploded view. 
       FIG. 10  is a side elevation view of a floatation structure made as a single, integral structure. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The apparatus of the present invention is uniquely adapted to use of a boat support frame such as described in the &#39;022 patent. Since the contents of the &#39;022 patent are deemed to be incorporated herein by reference as previously stated, it is suggested that a reading and understanding of the &#39;022 patent will be found helpful in understanding the present invention, as well as the differences between the present invention and that which is set forth in the &#39;022 patent. 
   Referring initially to  FIG. 1  of the present invention, there is shown a substantially rectangular float mounting frame  10 , made up in a welded galvanized steel construction of lengthwise extending right angle side rails  12 ,  14 , crosswise extending outer flat rails  16 ,  18  and laterally spaced crosswise extending inner rails  20 ,  22 . While not shown, bolts or other appropriate means may be used to reinforce or used instead of welding to secure the members of float mounting frame  10  together. 
   As best seen in  FIG. 2 , each float mounting frame  10  is used to mount a pair of buoyant floats which by way of example are illustrated as being a larger float  26  and smaller float  27 . Floats  26 ,  27  are secured by means of bolts  15   a  ( FIG. 2 ) placed in holes  15  ( FIG. 1 ) or other means. Each float is preferably encased in a suitable coated fabric  26   a ,  27   a  respectively ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ) and forms a component of a frame-float assembly  11 . Dimensions of the components of the docking apparatus of the invention may vary according to the weight and size of the boats being docked, and thus floats  26 ,  27  may be of unequal size as illustrated by way of example in  FIG. 2  or of equal size. In the embodiment being used as a reference for the present description based on a representative boat length of about 21 feet and representative weight of about 3200 pounds, the overall length L ( FIG. 5 ) of the apparatus was 22 feet, the length LF of the float mounting and support frame  10  was 11 feet, the width WF was 4 feet and the height HF was 2½ inches. In the same embodiment, the width WFL of larger float  26  was 4 feet, its length LFL was 6 feet, and its height HFL was 18½ inches. The width WL of the lip  29  was 2½ inches and its thickness LT was 2½ inches. As seen in  FIG. 2 , the width WFLa (not shown) and the height HFLa (not shown) of smaller float  27  were the same as that of larger float  26 . However, the length LFL(a) of smaller float  27  was 4 feet. Likewise, the lip  30  of smaller float  27  had the same width and thickness as did lip  29  of larger float  26 . Both floats in the referenced embodiment were made of polyurethane material. In the embodiment being used for reference, the width WEE ( FIG. 3 ) of the well W was 9 feet, and the length LBF ( FIG. 5 ) of the boat mounting frame  25  was 16 feet. It was found through experiment that each block of foam of the size described with reference to the larger float  26  would support a weight in the water of 1828 pounds. As mentioned, float  26  is larger than float  27  and is designed such that when the boat  44  ( FIG. 7 ) is being driven onto the boat mounting frame  25  ( FIG. 7 ) a greater portion of the weight load is supported by float  26 . During this procedure, it is also recognized that the occupant or occupants of the boat together with the weight of the boat motor will require greater buoyancy than will the unoccupied bow of the boat. As previously referred to and, as shown in  FIG. 2 , float frame  10  and floats  26 ,  27  make up a frame-float assembly  11 . A pair of frame-float assemblies  11  and  11 ( a ) of like construction are utilized in the present invention, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
   While not shown in detail, it should also be understood that the boat mounting frame  25  is provided with laterally and longitudinally adjustable support means adapted to conform with the shape of the bottom surface of the boat as more fully explained in the &#39;022 patent and for which the present invention is adapted. 
   A rear bar  35  connects frame-float assemblies  11 ,  11   a  and provides the support on which the boat mounting frame  25  (shown in dashed lines in  FIG. 5 ) pivots. Each frame-float frame assembly  11 ,  11   a  supports rear bar  35  by a pair of bracket assemblies  37 ,  38  and  37   a ,  38   a  ( FIG. 3 ) respectively made up in a welded galvanized steel construction in the form indicated in  FIG. 6 . Bracket assemblies  37 ,  38  are secured to and suspended from and below respective right angle side rails  12 ,  14  of float assembly  11 . Bracket assemblies  37   a ,  38   a  are likewise secured to and suspended from and below respective right angle rails  12   a ,  14   a  of float assembly  11   a . The height at which the rear bar  35  is supported is adjustable by means of the vertically adjustable crossbars  21   a ,  21   b  ( FIG. 6 ) secured by respective bolts (not shown) in holes  21  ( FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 ). 
   A pair of metal fabricated beams  47 ,  49  are each secured by appropriate lengthwise adjustable securing means  58 ,  59  at a respective inner end to and extend from a corner of one of frame-float assemblies  11 ,  11   a . The outer ends of beams  47 ,  49  are each pivotally and vertically adjustably mounted on a dock, a post, a bulkhead, or other fixed surface by pivotal and vertically adjustable mounting arrangements  50 ,  50   a  respectively as seen in  FIG. 4 . Such arrangements comprise vertical right angle supports  51 ,  52  ( FIG. 4 ) formed with vertical spaced holes  53 ,  54  respectively adapted to receive pin  55  secured by cotter pin fastener  56  as best seen in  FIG. 4 . In an alternative arrangement, not shown, the outer ends of beams  47 ,  49  are joined and connected to a dock, a bulkhead or other fixed surface through a single rather than a pair of pivotal connections. A winch apparatus  60  is fixedly mounted on dock  33  and is used to draw the boat  44  into place on the boat mounting frame  25  as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . Lengthwise adjustment of beams  47 ,  49  enables the docking apparatus to be adjusted for the length of the boat. Suitable secured stabilizing cables  31 ,  34  extend from a respective opposite corner of a respective float assembly  11 ,  11   a . The outer ends of beams  47 ,  49  are each pivotally and vertically adjustably mounted on a dock, a post, a bulkhead, or other fixed surface by pivotal and vertically adjustable mounting arrangements  50 ,  50   a  respectively as seen in  FIG. 5 . Such arrangements comprise vertical right angle supports  51 ,  52  formed with vertical spaced holes  53 ,  54  adapted to receive pin  55  secured by cotter pin fastener  56  as best seen in  FIG. 4 . In an alternative arrangement, not shown, the outer ends of beams  47 ,  49  are joined and connected to a dock, a bulkhead or other fixed surface through a single rather than a pair of pivotal connections. A winch apparatus  60  is fixedly mounted on the dock  33  and is used to draw the boat  44  into place on the boat mounting frame  25  as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
   The front bar  45  on which the leading end of the boat mounting frame  25  rests when the boat  44  is in its elevated position (as shown in  FIG. 8 ) is supported by a separate set of bracket assemblies  46 ,  48  secured to and supported from and below respective ones of the beams  47 ,  49 . Bracket assemblies  46 ,  48  which support front bar  45  are similar in construction to the previously described vertically adjustable bracket assemblies  37 ,  38  which support rear bar  35 . Thus, both rear bar  35  as well as front bar  45  can be adjusted to the preferred height according to the weight of the boat. Here it should be understood that the pair of floats  26 ,  27  could be formed as a single integral float  80  ( FIG. 10 ) with a formed hole  81 , a metal or plastic tube  82  inserted in hole  81  and mounting rear bar  35 , with the outer ends of bar  35  being supported by the previously referred to brackets  37 ,  38 ,  37   a ,  38   a  shown in  FIG. 3  but not in  FIG. 10 .  FIG. 10  also illustrates integral float  80  secured to side rail  14 . Also to be understood is that each such single, integral float  80 , as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , could instead of being formed of polyurethane be formed as an inflated or airtight flexible or rigid container or as a pair or more of such containers. Thus, the apparatus of the invention adapts itself to a variety of forms of buoyant structures. 
   Attention is next directed to  FIG. 9  which illustrates a pair of roller assemblies  63 ,  64  which are adapted to fit into the outermost ends of rear bar  35 , which for this purpose is formed as a hollow cylinder. Roller assemblies  63 ,  64  are made up of a pair of right angle tubular members  65 ,  66  one end of which is slid into a respective outer end of rear bar  35  and secured in place by a respective pin  67  or  68 . Axles  71 ,  72  are secured in respective ends of tubular members  65 ,  66  by suitable means. A pair of wheels  75 ,  76  mount on respective free ends of axles  71 ,  72  and are held in place by respective cotter pins  78 ,  79 . Once roller assemblies  63 ,  64  are placed on rear bar  35 , the entire invention apparatus can be rolled from the water and stored. In order to do this, the beam mounting arrangements  50 ,  50   a  are disconnected by removing cotter pin fasteners  56 ,  56   a  (not shown) and pins  55 ,  55   a  (not shown) which allows the entire invention apparatus to be pulled to dry land when wheels  75 ,  76  reach the point that they touch the bottom of the lake or other body of water where the apparatus of the invention is being used. 
   While not shown, it should be further understood that the boat mounting frame  25 , illustrated in  FIGS. 5 ,  7  and  8  can be constructed for receiving a pontoon type boat as illustrated in the &#39;022 patent and for which the apparatus of the present invention is readily adapted. It will also be appreciated that the boat mounting frame  25  could be constructed for or specifically used for docking a jet-ski type boat. 
   In summary and to conclude the description, it can be seen that the apparatus of the invention does achieve the objects previously set forth and in particular provides an apparatus which:
         (1) is self-contained, operates without requiring other docking structures, and provides an apparatus capable of receiving and thereafter elevating and storing the pleasure boat;   (2) is adapted to be used in relatively shallow water of three feet or even somewhat less in depth;   (3) is adapted for being pivotally connected to one or more fixed surfaces on a dock, a pair of fixed posts, a bulkhesd, or the like;   (4) is adapted to be quickly assembled, quickly placed in the water, quickly removed from the water, and then quickly disassembled;   (5) is adapted when in use with the boat empty of passengers and while being tilted towards the front bar to place all of the weight of the boat on the single rear bar;   (6) is adapted such that a boat can be driven onto the docking apparatus of the invention with its passengers on board;   (7) is adapted to operate without requiring any floatation other than that provided by the apparatus itself;   (8) is adapted by reason of the rear and front bars being mounted in a manner which enables their depth to be adjusted to accommodate to a range of relatively shallow water depths;   (9) is adapted to use a wide range of types of floatation structures for each side of the apparatus, including those formed as pivotal structures, single integral structures, foamed molded structures, air tight and inflated structures;   (10) is adapted to be used with any of a wide variety of floatation structures including those formed as plural or single structures and made of solid foam or an inflated or air-tight container; and   (11) is adapted by reason of the outer ends of its beams being pivotally connected to a fixed surface to readily accommodate to tides and levels of water which change after a boat has been loaded on the invention apparatus.