Abstract:
A watercraft lift with hydraulically actuated arms which self-installs a fitted three-dimensional watercraft cover on a powerboat. A mechanism enables a linear actuator to drive a swing arm up to 180 degrees. The upper end of a two part arm articulates mechanically as the arm moves to reduce vertical elevation while operating. A spring-tensioned elongated roller keeps the cover tight and self-rolls the cover on the elongated roller when the actuated arms are pivoted forward. The mechanism can be attached to the guides of most watercraft lifts.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/337,307, filed May 16, 2016, entitled Universal Automatic Boat Cover. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to watercraft covers for use with watercraft lifts, watercraft trailers, watercraft storage, vehicles and mechanical devices. 
       Description of the Related Art 
       [0003]    The use of watercraft covers to protect watercrafts is well known. A number of designs are currently known to perform this basic operation. Many watercrafts have multi-section covers, often with one covering the bow section and another covering the aft section. The covers are typically shaped to cover at least portions of the three-dimensional shape of a watercraft and are manually spread out over the watercraft and then manually attached using snap or other fasteners. The bow section is attached with fasteners around the perimeter of the bow section especially when there is a bow opening. The aft section is attached to fasteners on the windshield frame, or in front of the windshield, as well with fasteners around the perimeter of the aft section. This common cover system has several negative aspects for the user. The large number of snaps or other fasteners used make the covers time consuming to install. The covers are often difficult to install after the cover material ages. The covers are large and awkward to store on-board. The covers can be dirty, and unpleasant to handle. The covers tend to lose shape, causing pockets of water, which further cause a loss of shape and pools of water. The covers do not cover a significant amount of hull surface surrounding the covers, and do not cover significant portions of the sides of the watercraft with which used, which causes fading in the sun of the uncovered portions of the watercraft and does not protect these areas from dirt. The covers provide no security, which makes the contents of the watercraft and the watercraft itself vulnerable to theft. 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 8,291,810 solves many of these problems by having a mechanism automatically installing a three dimensional cover. This design is for use on a free-standing watercraft lift, and has much of the mechanism installed underwater. The arm of this design swings high above the watercraft, which limits the use under boat house roofs. The underwater structure requires a diver to install and service. The required cover mechanism structure under the boat also prevents it from being used on many types of watercraft lifts. 
         [0005]    Several two-dimensional automatic cover designs are currently known. U.S. Pat. No. 3,549,198 uses a rotating arm to pull a flat cover over the top of a dump truck to secure the contents. This design would not be ideal for use with a watercraft lift since the cover is two-dimensional, non-adjustable and would be impractical to fit the three-dimensional shapes of various watercraft types with which the lift might be used. 
         [0006]    It is known to use a two dimensional cover design similar to the one of the U.S. Pat. No. 3,549,198 for application on a portable watercraft lift with a pontoon boat. As such, the design does not provide protection to the sides of the boat. It also is more vulnerable to side wind, since it has exposed edges that catch the wind. Both designs use a roller fixed to the front, and a set of arms which pull the cover rearward like a window shade. This type of design is undesirable for an application on a boat, since the cover slides over parts of the boat, causing cover wear, and potential boat damage. The fixed cover in the front also blocks views and is not attractive since the roller remains visible at the front even when the cover is deployed. Pulling the cover from a fixed roller in the front also can cause damage to the cover and watercraft by dragging the cover on the watercraft. Further, the lift with the cover similar to the U.S. Pat. No. 3,549,198 does not provide any protection against operation of the lift when the cover is deployed, which can cause cover or watercraft damage, especially if installed on lifts that translate rearward when lowering, such as the lift of U.S. Pat. No. 5,908,264. Since the lift with the cover similar to the U.S. Pat. No. 3,549,198 patent is not remote controlled, another drawback is that the user is required to operate it from the location of a control box. It is desirable to be able to manually adjust the cover when operating in case it is not seating correctly. 
         [0007]    U.S. Patents such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,019,212 and 6,786,171 describe a cover system that does not touch the watercraft. These systems have a fixed roof with structure and retractable sides that completely surround the watercraft. The tall sides of these systems block views and are more vulnerable to wind. For use on a free-standing or free-floating watercraft lift, the fixed roof structure can make the lift vulnerable to tipping. Because of the fixed roof, these systems often require permitting and are highly regulated. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,019,212 is a device that attaches to a free-standing watercraft lift and lifts the cover off vertically. This design requires an external frame and overhead structure to lift the frame. The design is not conducive to cover the full sides of the watercraft. Since the cover still creates a shadow over the water when the watercraft is off the lift, this design would often be regulated as a canopy or covered moorage vs. a watercraft cover. Driving a swing arm directly from a linear actuator has limitations, since the starting and ending swing arm angles need to be more than 20 degrees in practice since the loads jump exponentially as the angle becomes more shallow. This limits the stroke of the swing arms to be a maximum of 140 degrees, which makes the geometry difficult to uncover the entire boat if the swing arm pivot location is not under the boat. This creates a need for a means of driving a swing arm up to 180 degrees, so the pivot point can be lateral to the watercraft, the starting roller position aft of the boat, and the ending position forward of the boat. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a watercraft on a lift in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention with the cover in an “Off” position with the articulating configuration. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the watercraft on the lift with cover in a “Partially On” position with the articulating configuration. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the watercraft on the lift with cover in an “On” position with the articulating configuration. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the lift and cover without a watercraft with the articulating configuration. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of the cover mechanism with articulating configuration 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a side view of a cover mechanism configuration without articulation. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view of a cover mechanism configuration for partial side loading. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged view of the reversible mounting bracket showing two angle options. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a side view of a cover mechanism configuration using a rotary actuator to drive the swing arm. 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is an exploded view of elongated roller, showing spring, clutch. 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is an isometric view of an elongated roller track and cover keder bead. 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is an isometric view of a cover mechanism configuration of the front of the cover being supported by front cover support. 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  is a side view of a cover mechanism configuration using a linear actuator to articulate the swing arm. 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  is an isometric view of a cover mechanism configuration where the roller is fixed and the cover end is pulled by the swing arms. 
           [0023]      FIG. 15  is an isometric view of a cover mechanism configuration using a motor to apply torsion to the elongated roller. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0024]    The invention generally relates to a watercraft lift system, generally lifting powerboats under 50 feet long, however, the design could be applied to other type boat and watercraft lift systems and other types of boats and watercraft or boat storage options. The mechanism that actuates a swing arm up to 180 degrees can also be used on a wide variety of vehicles and mechanical devices. 
         [0025]    The disclosed embodiments of the invention are illustrated for a watercraft lift that allows for simple installation and removal of the cover, better protection for the watercraft, less view blockage, and better theft prevention. The combination of these features saves the boater time before and after boating, reduces hull cleaning, reduces hull fading, and allows the owner to store equipment, such as water skis inside the watercraft more securely. 
         [0026]    As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, a watercraft  50  is supported by a watercraft lift  40  using port and starboard (left and right side) watercraft lift bunks  42 . However the cover mechanism can be mounted to a dock, dry stack, or the ground. The watercraft lift may use bunks  42 , rollers or other means for supporting the watercraft thereon. The watercraft lift  40  shown includes floats  44 , guides  43 , frame  41 . 
         [0027]    Port and starboard swing arms  24  are, respectively, pivotally connected to the port and starboard mechanism base  31  at arm pivot  61  (in  FIGS. 1-3 ) and are each simultaneously moved by operation of a corresponding port and starboard follower  32 . The upper sections of the swing arm assemblies  29  are connected with a lateral anti0-racking bar  38 , which provides lateral stability of the cover system  10 . In the preferred embodiment, the forward and aft sections of the mechanism base  31  is attached to mount brackets  23  on the forward and aft guides  43 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 6  shows the non-articulating embodiment, the port and starboard linear actuators  33  have a lower end pivotally connected to the port and starboard mechanism base  31 , respectfully, and an upper end pivotally connected to the starboard and port followers  32 , respectfully. The upper ends of the port and starboard followers  32  have port and starboard driving pins  35 , respectively, which are connected to a slots  64  in the port and starboard swing arm assemblies, respectfully. The lower ends of the port and starboard followers are pivotally connected to the port and starboard mechanism base  31 , respectfully. This mechanism enables up to 180 degrees of arm stroke. 
         [0029]    In another embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , the swing arms are actuated with a rotary actuator  75 , which applies torque to the port and starboard swing arm assemblies from a mechanism base. 
         [0030]    In a preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the cartridge assembly  30 , which may include the mechanism base  31 , follower  32 , linear actuator  33 , and swing arm assembly with elongated roller  21 , can be more easily adjusted fore and aft with the port and starboard mechanism base  31  telescoping over a port and starboard side rail  22 , respectfully. 
         [0031]    In a preferred embodiment, shown in  FIG. 1 , the swing arm can articulate to reduce vertical height. In this embodiment, the port and starboard slider sleeves  28  telescope over the port and starboard lower swing arm  24 , respectfully. Anti-friction tape on the on the inside of the slider sleeves or outside the lower swing arm prevent galling. Port and starboard links  27  are pivotally connected to a lug  62  on the upper end of the port and starboard slider sleeves  28 , respectfully. The other end of the port and starboard links are attached to lugs  63  on the lower end of the upper swing arms  25 . As the linear actuator  33  pushes the follower  32  in one direction, the swing arm assembly  24  rotates, and the slider sleeve  28  slides on the lower swing arm  24 , which moves the link  27  which pivots the upper swing arm  25  relative to the lower swing arm  24  which reduces the elevation of the roller tube  21  over the watercraft compared to if the swing arm  24  did not articulate when operating. This is beneficial for less wind load, and for clearance for overhead roof structures. The articulating arm enables the pivot point of the swing arm to be laterally located to the side of the boat in windy environments, and enables use for larger boats. Not having any cover mechanism under the watercraft elevation enables use on most any watercraft lift, or boat storage. 
         [0032]    In a preferred embodiment, the linear actuator is controlled via remote control, and the actuator is a hydraulic cylinder powered by a hydraulic power unit. 
         [0033]    In another embodiment, the linear actuator is an electric linear actuator. 
         [0034]    In a preferred embodiment, each of the port and starboard upper swing arms  25  includes a telescoping tube  26  telescopically disposed with respect to the upper swing arm portion and by which the length of the swing arm can be selectively adjusted to fit the watercraft  50 . 
         [0035]    An elongated roller tube  21  extends laterally between and is rotatable relative to the upper end portions of the swing arm assembly  29 . 
         [0036]    In a preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , an internal torsional spring  67  is within a roller tube  26  and applies adjustable rotation force to the roller tube and hence a pulling force to a cover  22  attached thereto. 
         [0037]    In an alternative embodiment, shown in  FIG. 13 , an linear actuator controls the angle of the upper swing arm  25  to the lower swing arm  24 . 
         [0038]    In a preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , a slip clutch  66  prevents the torsional spring  27  from being torqued beyond a predetermined value. 
         [0039]    In an alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 15 , an electric or hydraulic roller motor  77  is used to apply torque from the telescoping tube  26  to the roller tube  21 . An alternative embodiment without the articulating upper swing arm  25 , slider sleeve  28  or link  27  is shown in  FIG. 6 , with the telescoping tube  26  inserted into the lower swing arm  24  instead of the upper swing arm  25 , shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0040]    In a preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the front of the cover  11  has a bow pocket  16  sized to accept therein the bow of the watercraft  50  when the cover is deployed to cover the watercraft. A forward cover line  14  extends between the front wings  13  of the cover and a forward end portion of a bow sprit  46  which has a rearward end portion attached to the watercraft lift frame  41  of the watercraft lift  40 . In the preferred embodiment, the bow sprit  46  has a spreader bar  47  to position the forward cover lines so the cover can more easily slide over the watercraft rub rail forward shoulders  51 . Another embodiment secures the forward cover lines to the dock in front of the watercraft. Another embodiment secures the front of the cover to a front cover support  48  in front of the bow so a bow pocket  16  and forward cover lines  14  are not needed. 
         [0041]    The watercraft  50  is protected from the cover system  10  with rollers  36  mounted on the side rails  22 , and with a port and starboard guide plates  37  mounted to the inboard port and starboard followers  32 , respectfully, shown in  FIG. 4 . The guide plate is constructed with a flexible material, such as plastic, and cantilevers beyond the follower  32  so it will not cause damage to the rub rail of the watercraft  50  when operating cover system  10 . Additional guide wheels  36  can also be added for protecting the watercraft when loading. 
         [0042]    The cover  11  is uniquely designed to operate with the cover system. The cover is shaped to fit the watercraft and cover most the sides. The aft end of the cover is straight and has a keder bead  12  shape sewn into the cover that indexes into a track  65  on the elongated roller  21  to secure the cover to the elongated roller, shown in  FIG. 11 . The perimeter of the cover  11  has a perimeter pocket  18 , shown in  FIG. 3  with an elastic cord  15  extending through. When the cover is fully deployed on watercraft  50 , the elastic is tightened by being wrapped around the roller tube  21  in the opposite direction than the cover for the first few wraps so that the elastic cord  15  is tensioned when the roller tube is pulled aft, and is loosened when roller tube moves forward and the cover begins to be rolled up on the roller tube. 
         [0043]    The preferred embodiment of the cover  11  has forward side wings  13  near the forward shoulder of the watercraft rub rails  51  which are designed to better secure the cover to the sides of the watercraft and to prevent the cover from being stopped on the forward shoulders of the watercraft rub rail  51 . The preferred embodiment has the forward lines  14  configured so they are generally pointing toward the watercraft rub rail forward shoulders  51  when the cover is sliding over the watercraft rub rail forward shoulders  51 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The aft end of the cover  11  is attached to the roller tube  21  with the cover end sliding into a lateral track on the roller, shown in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0044]    A preferred embodiment designs the cover  11  with a slight catenary curve  19  which pulls the center of the cover tight laterally as the elastic cord  15  is tightened, shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0045]    A preferred embodiment includes at least one control handle  17 , shown in  FIG. 2  inside the cover toward the forward end of the cover to assist positioning the cover if needed, and is sometimes needed in certain wind conditions. 
         [0046]    Another embodiment, shown in  FIG. 7 , allows for improved access for loading the watercraft when approaching the lift at a steep angle, which is common for watercraft lifts side mounted in canals. In this embodiment, there is no outboard rear guide  43 . Instead, longitudinal beams  69  spanning from the forward and aft lateral beams of the watercraft lift  49 , located parallel and outboard of the watercraft lift bunks  42 . 
         [0047]    Another embodiment enables the side rail  22  to be installed on an upright watercraft guide  43 , or one on a slight angle, shown in  FIG. 8 . The at least two part bracket  23  is configured such that if one part is installed in an opposite direction, the angle of installation changes. The two parts of the brackets include a clamp  71 , which secures to a watercraft guide or other upright member, and a reversible block  72 , with a first and second side. 
         [0048]    Another embodiment attaches the cover system to a dock, watercraft trailer, the ground, or watercraft storage stand. Another embodiment has the mechanism and cover reversed to the depiction, with the roller in the front when the cover is on. Another embodiment uses the mechanism  20  other than as a boat covers, such as for covering dump trucks, shown in  FIG. 14 . Another embodiment uses the mechanism for uses besides with covers.
     10  Cover system     11  Cover     12  Keder bead     13  Forward wing of cover     14  Forward cover line     15  Elastic cord     16  Bow pocket     17  control handle     18  Perimeter pocket     19  Side catenary of cover     20  Cover mechanism     21  Elongated Roller     22  Side rail     23  Mount bracket     24  Lower Swing arm     25  Upper swing arm     26  Telescoping tube     27  Link     28  Slider sleeve     29  Swing arm assy     30  Cartridge assembly     31  mechanism base     32  Follower     33  Linear Actuator     35  Driving pin     36  Guide wheels     37  Guide plates     38  Anti-racking bar     40  Watercraft lift     41  Watercraft Lift frame     42  Watercraft Lift bunks     43  Watercraft lift guides     44  Watercraft Lift Floats     46  Bow sprit     47  Spreader bar     48  Front Cover support     49  Lateral beam of watercraft lift     50  Watercraft     51  Watercraft rub rail forward shoulders     61  Lower arm pivot     62  Slider sleeve lug     63  Upper swing arm lug     64  Swing arm slot     65  Elongated roller track     66  Slip clutch     67  Torsional Spring     68  Connecting member     69  Longitudinal beam     71  Clamp     72  Reversable block     75  Rotary actuator     76  Swing arm linear actuator     77  Roller motor   
 
         [0102]    From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.