Abstract:
A watercraft beaching device which includes a base member and a pair of upright supports attached to the base member and positioned in spaced apart relationship. Each upright may also include a cushioned hull engagement surface. Advantageously, the hull engagement surfaces are elongated to engage more than a single point along the side of the boat hull to prevent the watercraft from pivoting about the beaching device on the shoreline and yet still require a relatively small area of surface contact with the hull of the watercraft. The upright supports are configured to hold the hull of the craft such that the keel of the craft does not come into contact with the base member of the watercraft beaching device or shoreline thereby eliminating abrasive wear to the keel of the craft while moored using the watercraft beaching device of the present invention.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/565,194, entitled WATERCRAFT BEACHING DEVICE filed May 4, 2000, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/369,029, entitled WATERCRAFT BEACHING DEVICE filed Aug. 04,1999, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/191,155, entitled WATERCRAFT BEACHING DEVICE filed Nov. 12,1998. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Technical Field  
           [0003]    This invention generally relates to personal watercraft and boat protection devices, hereinafter simply watercraft protection devices. More particularly, this invention relates to a watercraft protection device for protecting the hull or keel of the watercraft during beaching.  
           [0004]    2. Background  
           [0005]    Increased popularity of recreational boating has resulted in increased competition for landing space. Most developed inland lakes and bays include public boat docks or piers extending from their shores and beaches, which can be used by recreational boaters when they want to go ashore. However, competition for these resources has resulted in limited availability. Oftentimes, a desirable beach or shore doesn&#39;t have any landing facilities. Additionally, there are a large number of undeveloped lakes that simply do not have any public docks.  
           [0006]    Consequently, larger numbers of boaters are resorting to beaching their boats to gain shore access, resulting in abrasion to the hulls of the boats. Most recreational motor and sail boats have hulls of fiberglass construction with a gel coat finish. These hulls are extremely susceptible to damage from beaching and beach mooring. The sand, sediment and rocks typically found on a beach or shoreline act as abrasion agents, especially as wave and wind action move the boat up, down, forward and backward. Additionally, when a boat is beached, it has a tendency to pivot about the contact point with the beach or shore due to wave and wind action on the stern of the boat. In addition to the damage caused to the hull of the boat, this can result in the drive and steering mechanisms coming into contact with the bottom of the body of water or in dislodging the boat from the shore.  
           [0007]    Several attempts have been made to remedy these problems, including apron protection type devices, beach mats, strip hull protectors and ramp type devices.  
           [0008]    U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,055,022; 4,815,412; 4,962,719; and 5,357,890 disclose apron-type hull protectors which are attached to the bow of the boat and positioned under the front hull portion to protect the hull from damage when beaching a boat. These patents disclose different flotation, drag and weights, as well as construction methods for positioning the aprons and providing protection.  
           [0009]    U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,803,942; 5,398,631; 5,454,341; and 5,577,455 all teach various landing or beach mats for protecting the front portion of the hull of a boat during beaching. U.S. Patent No.  4 , 803 , 942  includes a pair of elongated support blocks along the length of the mat.  
           [0010]    U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,762,080 and 4,909,172 disclose protective bow strips which are fixed along the keel, at the front portion of the hull, to protect the boat hull during beaching.  
           [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,972,791 discloses a collapsible boat device for protecting the underside of a beached boat. This device includes a pair of hinged plates each supported by a plurality of wedges to hold the plates in a “V” formation to receive the hull of a boat. The device also includes one or more attachment devices, such as ropes, to attach the protection device to the boat to facilitate positioning of the protection device prior to beaching. When not in use, the two plates fold together to permit more compact storage of the device, preferably into a folded size of one foot wide by three feet long by ten inches high. Unfortunately, even the folded size is too large for convenient storage within a boat and the preferred construction results in a device that is too heavy to be handled efficiently. Additionally, the plates present a relatively large surface area to contact the hull of the boat and, due to the configuration of the device, sand and the like can easily become lodged between the plates and the hull, resulting in damage to the boat.  
           [0012]    None of the solutions of which the inventors are aware adequately solve the problems mentioned. To date, the solutions are ineffective at adequately inhibiting abrasion, securely mooring the boat and/or are suitable for compact storage and easy handling.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0013]    The present invention solves the forgoing problems by providing a watercraft beaching device which includes a base member and two or more upright supports attached to the base member and positioned in spaced apart relationship. Each upright may also include a cushioned hull engagement surface. Advantageously, the hull engagement surfaces are elongated to engage more than a single point along the side of the boat hull to prevent the watercraft from pivoting about the beaching device on the shoreline and yet still require a relatively small area of surface contact with the hull of the watercraft. Additionally, the base member includes a low profile to prevent contact with the watercraft. The relative arrangement of the base member and the upright supports is configured so as to hold the hull of the craft such that the keel does not come into contact with the base of the watercraft beaching device or the shoreline thereby eliminating abrasive wear to the keel while the craft is moored using the watercraft beaching device.  
           [0014]    One preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a rigidly formed watercraft beaching device which includes one or more upright supports which hold a pair of cushioned hull engagement surfaces in spaced apart relationship. The hull engagement surfaces are elongated to engage an area along one side of the hull to prevent the watercraft from pivoting about the mooring point on the shoreline. The supports are configured to hold the hull of the craft such that the keel of the craft does not come into contact with the base of the watercraft beaching device or shoreline. In a preferred embodiment, the rigidly formed watercraft beaching device is formed as a molded plastic.  
           [0015]    Another preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a collapsible watercraft beaching device which includes one or more collapsible upright supports which hold a pair of cushioned hull engagement surfaces in spaced apart relationship. The hull engagement surfaces are elongated to engage an area along one side of the hull to prevent the watercraft from pivoting about the mooring point on the shoreline. The supports are configured to hold the hull of the craft such that the keel of them craft does not come into contact with the base of the watercraft beaching device or shoreline.  
           [0016]    Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a watercraft beaching device according to the invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of one possible embodiment of the invention;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3 is a partially cut away front view of the embodiment of FIG. 2 in a partially folded state;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 4 is a partially cut away front view of the embodiment of FIG. 2 in a partially folded state;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 5 is a partially cut away front view of the embodiment of FIG. 2 in a partially folded state;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 2 in a completely folded state;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of another possible embodiment of the invention;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 7;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 9 is a partially cut away front view of the embodiment of FIG. 7 in a partially folded state;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 10 is a partially cut away front view of the embodiment of FIG. 7 in a partially folded state;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 11 is a partially cut away front view of the embodiment of FIG. 7 in a partially folded state;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 7 in a completely folded state;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of yet another possible embodiment of the invention;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 14 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 13;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 15 is a side sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 13;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 16 is a side sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 13;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 17 is a front perspective of the embodiment of FIG. 13 in a completely folded state;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 18 is a front perspective view of yet another possible embodiment of the invention;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 18 with the hull engagement surfaces removed for the sake of illustration and clarity.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 20 is an isometric view of another possible embodiment of the invention;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 21A is a detail cross-section taken along section line  21 - 21  of FIG. 20;  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 21B is a detail cross-section taken along section line  21 - 21  of FIG. 20;  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a watercraft beaching device according to the invention;  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 23 is a front view of a watercraft beaching device according to the invention; FIG. 24A is a schematic cross-section showing a ratio of 1 to 1 between the height of and the distance between the hull engagement surfaces;  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 24B is a schematic cross-section showing a distance to height ratio of 2:1 between the hull engagement surfaces; and  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 24C is a schematic cross-section showing a distance to height ratio of 1:2 between the hull engagement surfaces. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0043]    Referring now to the figures, a few of several possible embodiments of a watercraft beaching device, generally designated as  10 , are illustrated in detail. In general terms, watercraft beaching device  10  includes a base member  14  to which one or more upright supports  11  and  12  are attached in spaced apart relationship . Advantageously, hull engagement surfaces  13  are elongated to engage more than a single point or area along one side of the hull of watercraft  1  to prevent watercraft  1  from pivoting about the mooring point at or near the shoreline. Additionally, supports  11  and  12  are configured to hold hull engagement surfaces  13  a sufficient distance above the bottom of the body of water to insure that the hull does not come into contact with the aforementioned abrasive agents or shoreline.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIGS. 1 through 6 illustrate one possible embodiment which includes a base member  14  to which collapsible upright supports  11  and  12  are hinged via base hinges  18 . Each of the upright supports here includes a hinge leg  15  and a free leg  16  which are hinged together via leg hinge  17 . Hinge leg  15  is attached to base member  14  by base hinge  18  and base clearance block  19 . Base clearance block  19  elevates the hinge attachment point above the upper surface of the main base a distance equal to or greater than the folded thickness of legs  15  and  16  to allow the legs to be folded flat against base member  14 . A support lock  20  acts to secure upright supports  11  and  12  in their respective upright positions. Here, support lock  20  is one or more lip members secured at various points along the marginal edges of the upper surface of base member  14  and positioned to interfere with outward movement of the distal edges of free legs  16 .  
         [0045]    Alternatively or in addition to the lip members, extension limiting straps  21  can be used. Here, extension limiting straps  21  are connected between the distal edge of free leg  16  and the proximal edge of hinge leg  15 . In the case where only an extension limiting device is used, such as extension limiting straps  21 , it is important that base member  14  extend outward far enough to engage and support the distal edges of free legs  16 . This feature prevents the center of device  10  from raising, which can cause the center of the device to contact the hull and can increase the separation distance between hull engagement cushions  13 . One or more grab straps or handles  22  can be attached to various points of the device to facilitate setup and take-down, as well as carrying the device.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 2 shows watercraft beaching device  10  in its fully setup position. To collapse the device, the distal edge of free leg  16  is folded inward about hinge  17  and at the same time, hinge leg  15  is pivoted about hinge  18  toward a more vertical position as is shown in FIG. 3. The folded support assembly is then folded down about hinge  18  into the position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The other support assembly is collapsed the same way to form the collapsed or folded configuration shown in FIG. 6. The device is setup by reversing this procedure.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIGS. 7 through 12 show another possible embodiment of watercraft beaching device  10  which is similar in most respects to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 with the exception of the base member being replaced by an elongated pivoting base support member  23 . Pivoting base support  23  is pivotally attached to base clearance block  19 . When device  10  is setup, as is shown in FIG. 7, pivoting base support  23  is rotated  900  with respect to base clearance block  19 . Device  10  is collapsed by folding both sets of legs  15  and  16  together, rotating pivoting base support  23  back so it is parallel with base clearance block  19  and inverting the entire assembly, as is shown in FIGS. 8 through 12. Advantageously, handles  22  are attached to the distal edges of free legs  16  to aid in transporting device  10  in this inverted position as well as aiding the device to remain in the collapsed configuration during transport.  
         [0048]    [0048]FIGS. 13 through 17 show another possible embodiment of watercraft beaching device  10  which is essentially two foreshortened versions of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 hinged together along a central transverse line. Watercraft beaching device  10  includes a pair of base members  14  hinged together, via base hinge  24 , to which collapsible upright supports  11  and  12  are hinged via four base hinges  18 . Each of the upright supports here includes a pair of hinge legs  15  and a pair of free legs  16  each hinged to one hinge leg  15  via leg hinges  17 . Base hinges  18  are attached to bases  14  by base clearance blocks  19 . Advantageously, handles  22  are attached at opposing central points along the hinge line of base clearance blocks  19 . This placement of handles  22  aids in folding and transporting of device  10 .  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 13 shows watercraft beaching device  10  in it&#39;s fully setup position. To collapse the device, the distal edges of free legs  16  are folded inward about hinges  17  and at the same time, hinge legs  15  are pivoted about hinges  18  toward a more vertical position. The folded support assemblies are then folded down, about hinges  18  into the position shown in FIG. 15. Handles  22  are then grasped and lifted which allows base members  14  to fold together about hinge  24  forming the compact assembly shown in FIGS. 16 and 17.  
         [0050]    [0050]FIGS. 18 through 19 illustrate another possible embodiment which includes a base member  14  to which collapsible upright supports  11  and  12  are hinged via base hinges  18 . Each of the upright supports here includes a hinge leg  15  and a free leg  16  which are hinged together via leg hinge  17 . Hinge leg  15  is attached to base member  14  by base hinge  18 , which is here a cylindrical tube fixed to base member  14  to rotatably receive the ends of hinge leg  15 . Base member  14  is advantageously an elongated trough formation of steel, which may include ground engaging tangs  25  to help prevent the base from moving with respect to the ground in use. Trough walls  26  and  27  limit the extension of hinge legs  15  and prevent base member  14  from raising, which can cause the center of the device to contact the hull and can increase the separation distance between hull engagement cushions  13 . The angle of trough walls  26  and  27  can be varied to accommodate various shape watercraft hulls. It should be noted that other structures can serve the same purposes as trough walls as is evidenced in the forgoing embodiments. Rather than walls, smaller ear or tang projections or rotational stops can be used. Additionally, it may be possible to use extension limiting straps between hinge legs  15  instead of the trough walls or similar structure.  
         [0051]    Extension limiting straps or cables  21  may also be used to limit the extension of free legs  16 . Here, extension limiting cables  21  are connected between the distal edge of free legs  16  and centrally located points on base member  14 . Here a fixed loop encircles each of the mid-sections of the distal portion of free legs  16  and has a connected end attached to base member  14  via a nut and bolt, rivet, spot-weld or similar attachment.  
         [0052]    Leg hinges  17  are here composed of a hull support cushion base plate  28  and cylindrical tube  29  fixed thereto. Hull support cushion base plates  28  are here generally “L” shaped in cross-section and rigidly affixed to the distal ends of hinge legs  15 . The proximal ends or portions of free legs  16  are rotatably secured within tubes  29  to complete the hinge.  
         [0053]    In yet another embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 20, 21A and  21 B, the free leg extension limiting feature is provided by generally “V” shaped top caps  30 . Top caps  30  are similar in construction to the steel trough construction explained above. Here, however, the proximal ends of free legs  16  are fixed to the respective distal walls of top caps  30  while the distal ends of hinge legs  15  are pivotally attached to respective proximal walls of top caps  30 . Hence, the sub-assemblies of the free legs and top caps each rotate about the distal ends of hinge legs  15 . The weight of a boat on cushions  13  creates a moment of force about the axis of the distal ends of legs  15  which consequently forces the distal ends of free legs  16  away from base member  14 . The proximal walls of top caps  30  interact with the sides of hinge legs  15  to provide the extension limiting function for free legs  16 .  
         [0054]    [0054]FIGS. 22 and 23, show watercraft beaching device  100  including rigidly formed body  110  including first and second upright supports  101  and  102 . First and second upright supports  101  and  102  are attached, or in this case, formed integrally with base member  105  of body  110 . First and second upright supports  101  and  102  are formed in spaced apart relationship. Hull engagement surfaces  103  and  104  may be formed integrally, or as in this case may be connected to upright supports  101  and  102 . Hull engagement surfaces  103  and  104  include an elongated configuration for engaging an area of the hull of watercraft  1  to prevent watercraft  1  from pivoting about a mooring point at or near the shoreline. Additionally, hull engagement surfaces  103  and  104  are located at a distance from one another so as to hold the hull of watercraft  1  a sufficient distance above upper surface  106  of base member  105 . In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the distance between first and second upright supports  101  and  102  is in a range of 8 to 16 inches. Similarly, hull engagement surfaces  103  and  104  are located at a distance from upper surface  106  of base member  105  so as to hold the hull of watercraft  1  a sufficient distance above upper surface  106  of base member  105 . Base member  105  includes a low profile upper surface  106  to prevent contact between the watercraft and upper surface  106 . In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the profile between upper surface  106  of base member  105  is in a range of 8 to 16 inches. Feet  107  and  108  provide a digging action allowing watercraft beaching device  100  to accomplish an anchoring effect against a shoreline when in use, further stabilizing watercraft  1  and preventing watercraft  1  from pivoting about the mooring point at or near the shoreline.  
         [0055]    [0055]FIGS. 24A, 24B and  24 C are schematic cross-sections showing the relationship between a height H of first and second hull engagement surfaces  103  and  104  relative to upper surface  106  of base member  105  and a distance D between first and second hull engagement surfaces  103  and  104 . Particularly, FIG. 24A shows that in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the relationship between the height H of first and second hull engagement surfaces  103  and  104  relative to upper surface  106  of base member  105  and a distance D between first and second hull engagement surfaces  103  and  104  may be expressed as substantially equal to a ratio of 1 to 1. Additionally, as shown in FIGS.  24 B and  24 C, the ratio between distance D and height H is preferably less than 2:1 as shown in FIG. 24B and greater than 1:2 as shown in FIG. 24C.  
         [0056]    Many modifications and alterations are possible. For example, while the device has been illustrated as being constructed out of a solid planar material, it could be a frame construction made of tubing or the like. It could be made of molded plastic in both solid or webbed forms. One specific addition includes adding a lid to the assembly shown in FIGS. 1 through 6. The lid may be a rigid planar member and may include a cushioned mat to make entering and exiting the watercraft more comfortable. The cushioned mat can be employed without the lid. Additionally, locking mechanisms can be added to interact between various portions of the devices to lock the device into open and closed positions.  
         [0057]    While there is shown and described certain embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that this invention is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of the following claims.