Abstract:
A boat lift construction is disclosed for retrieving watercraft from one location and moving them to another location by use of a fixed longitudinal member operatively connected to a winch which moves a carrier frame mounted on wheels back and forth between a first position on land and a second position normally in a lake or river or ocean immediately thereadjacent. This boat lift includes an articulated mounting system for the wheels to facilitate continual contact thereof with respect to the ground during overland movement. The wheels are at least partially hydraulic in order to keep the wheels in contact with the ground surface even when moving in an area below the water line which allows the carrier to move along the overland bottom surface underneath the water line as well as along the ground line immediately thereadjacent.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention deals with the field of automated boat lifts or lifts for various watercraft including amphibious aircraft. Such watercraft are commonly removed from water by moving vertically or horizontally to a position of dry dock. The present invention is designed specifically for moving of a watercraft horizontally from a first position in dry dock adjacent to a lake or river to a second position wherein the boat is movable into the water. The ground line upon which the articulated locomotion system is designed to move on the land in the area above the water line and to move on the bottom contour of the river or lake which can be optionally possible by selective weighting of pneumatic and/or hydraulic tires to facilitate such overlay and movement. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Numerous devices have been patented for the movement of boats horizontally, vertically or at an angle to and from a position of dry dock and to and from a position water-born. Examples of such patents are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 1,613,155 patented Jan. 4, 1927 to A. C. Berg on a “Wheeled Supporting Device”; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,484,346 patented Oct. 11, 1949 to M. E. Iorns on a “Wheel Support And Carrier Attachment For Transporting Boats”; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,551,040 patented May 1, 1951 to F. T. Newell on a “Wheeled Attachment For Transporting Boats”; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,578;376 patented Dec. 11, 1951 to A. Smith on a “Wheeled Attachment For Boats”; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,620,610 patented Dec. 9, 1952 to J. M. Chambers and assigned to Harry Ferguson, Ltd. on a “Transport Apparatus For Tandem-Harrows”; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,966,368 patented Dec. 27, 1960 to K. O. Engnell on a “Wheeled Support For Boats”; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,978,257 patented Apr. 4, 1961 to B. A Barker on a “Boat Carrier”; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,123,378 patented Mar. 3, 1964 to E. V. Caldwell on a “Wheel Suspension Assembly”; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,271,798 patented Sep. 13, 1966 to M. A. Zoretic on a “Device For Launching, Landing And Portaging A Boat”; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,284,821 patented Nov. 15, 1966 to M. A. Zoretic on a “Wheel Assembly For A Boat”; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,301,571 patented Jan. 31, 1967 to W. W. Malcolm on a “Quick Attachable And Detachable Wheel Means For A Boat”; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,416,813 patented Dec. 17, 1968 to C. R. Sholl on “Removable Wheels For Boats”; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,612,566 patented Oct. 12, 1971 to C. R. Sholl on a “Removable Support Wheel Assembly”; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,671,056 patented Jun. 20, 1972 to K. C. Windemuth on a “Boat Transport Device”; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,659,868 patented May 2, 1972 to E. Tucker and assigned to Dean Sandford on “Detachable Wheels For Boats”; and U. S. Pat. No. 3,665,533 patented May 30, 1972 to W. W. Kleinau on a “Water Craft Launching And Removal Means”; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,687,476 patented Aug. 29, 1972 to R. M. Abbott on a “Removable Dolly Wheel For Boat”; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,697,096 patented Oct. 10, 1972 to F. H. Hadley on a “Boat Handling Apparatus”; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,771,809 patented Nov. 13, 1973 to P. Carn on a “Device For Transporting Loads On Uneven Or Shifting Ground, And Also For Launching Small Boats”; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,857,128 patented Dec. 31, 1974 to W. J. Gilster on a “Wheeled Carrier For Sailing Vessel”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,127,281 patented Nov. 28, 1978 to R. A. Ferguson on a “Boat Roller”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,235,450 patented Nov. 25, 1980 to C. G. Conover on “Catamaran Boat Dollies”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,440,409 patented Apr. 3, 1984 to A. B. Margison on a “Boat Transporter”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,465,291 patented Aug. 14, 1984 to E. T. Wylie et al on a “Boat Launching Dolly”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,550,925 patented Nov. 5, 1985 to S. L. McDonough on a “Boat Dolly”; and U. S. Pat. No. 4,601,481 patented Jul. 22, 1986 to G. E. Maurice on a “Portable Boat Dolly”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,801,152 patented Jan. 31, 1989 to J. H Elliott et al on a “Boat Dolly”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,850,605 patented Jul. 25, 1989 to J. R. Ray on a “Boat Dolly”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,000,468 patented Mar. 19, 1991 to B. Weinstein on a “Boat Dolly”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,176,394 patented Jan. 5, 1993 to S. E. Veazey on a “Towing Rig For Floating Objects”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,755,451 patented May 26, 1998 to M. A. O&#39;Connor on a “Boat Portage Dolly”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,544 patented Aug. 24, 1999 to M. D. Fiedler on a “Boat Transporting Device”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,675 patented Aug. 24, 1999 to D. G. Orr and assigned to Magna Tech, Inc. on a “Tow Dolly”. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a watercraft retriever lift adapted to move watercraft overland between a first deadman fixed member and a second deadman fixed member. Such deadmen fixed members can comprise any type of a pier, buoy, anchor or other member wherein the first deadman fixed member is secured to the land and a second deadman fixed member is secured to the bottom surface beneath the water line. 
     In this manner movement overland between a first position adjacent the first deadman fixed member and a second position adjacent the second deadman fixed member for the watercraft lift and any watercraft support thereupon is facilitated. 
     A carrier frame may be included for supporting of a watercraft thereon which facilitates movement thereof between the first and second positions. This carrier frame preferably includes a first end somewhat closer to the first deadman fixed member and a second end spatially disposed from the first end in the direction toward the second deadman member. In the preferred configuration the carrier frame can include one or preferably two bunk members extending longitudinally between the first end and the second end thereof spaced apart from one another to provide a type of a frame rail configuration running longitudinally for the carrier. Cross beam members will be included extending laterally between the bunk members to facilitate support of a watercraft thereon. Guide poles may also be included extending vertically with respect to the cross beam members to facilitate retaining of a watercraft thereon. Guide pole brackets may further be included which are adjustably mounted to the cross beam members and having the guide poles affixed thereto to extend vertically therefrom. The guide pole brackets are preferably adjustable laterally along the cross beam members to provide adjustment in lateral positioning thereof to facilitate retaining of variously sized watercraft. 
     Hull support members may be included in the carrier frame extending longitudinally or horizontally, that is, with respect to the cross beam members to facilitate abutment with and supporting of the hull of a watercraft positioned upon the carrier frame. Although the hull support members could be oriented transverse across the carrier frame, the preferred configuration of the hull support members is extending perpendicularly with respect to the cross beam members in an orientation extending approximately parallel with respect to the carrier frame. A bow stop may also be included adjacent the first end for abutment with the bow of a watercraft responsive to the positioning of such a watercraft upon the carrier frame means. 
     An articulated suspension apparatus may be included attached to the carrier frame to facilitate ease of movement thereof overland with a watercraft positioned thereupon. This articulated suspension means may be pivotally attached with respect to the cross beam members to facilitate support of the carrier frame and a watercraft positioned thereon. The articulating member will include preferably a first, second, third and fourth articulating member each of which is pivotally mounted with respect to the carrier frame to extend longitudinally therefrom. Each of these articulating arm members will be pivotally movable with respect to the carrier with an axis of rotation oriented laterally with respect to the carrier frame. A pair of axle members will be mounted on each of the articulating members and will be defined as the first, second, third and fourth axle members respectively. These axle members will extend laterally outwardly therefrom and will be spatially disposed from one another to facilitate support of the overall articulating construction. 
     A wheel means will be rotatably secured to the articulating suspension in order to facilitate movement of the carrier frame and the watercraft supported thereon overland. This wheel means may preferably include a tire which is at least partly hydraulic in order to define a ballast retaining chamber therein to selectively receive water as a weighted ballast in order to maintain contact between the tires and the earthen substrate when moving overland through water covered areas. In this manner the retriever lift of the present invention will sink to the bottom when moving a watercraft into a lake or river. A pair of wheels will be positioned rotatably mounted on each of the first through fourth axle members in order to facilitate movement of the carrier frame between a first position and a second position. 
     A continuous longitudinal member such as a cable or chain will be attached to the carrier frame and will be positioned extending between the first deadman pier member and the second deadman pier member to facilitate moving of the carrier between the first position and the second position. This continuous longitudinal member will be attached with respect to the first end of the carrier frame and will extend therefrom to attachment to the first deadman fixed member and will in turn extend therefrom to attachment with respect to the second deadman fixed member and finally will extend therefrom to attachment with respect to the second end of the carrier frame. 
     A winch may be operatively included attached to the continuous longitudinal member to urge longitudinal movement thereof to-cause movement of the carrier frame and any watercraft supported thereupon between the first position and the second position. This winch will preferably be fixedly secured to the first deadman fixed member or to the first end of the carrier frame in such a manner as to cause the retriever lift to move between the first position and the second position respectively. A tension adjustment apparatus may be positioned in longitudinal alignment with the continuous longitudinal cable or chain in order to facilitate adjusting of the longitudinal length and tightness thereof. Sheaves may also be included secured to the first or second deadman members or both as may be necessary depending upon the positioning of the winch. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a watercraft retriever lift which is adapted to move a watercraft overland between two positions. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a watercraft retriever lift which is adapted to move a watercraft overland between a body of water and an adjacent land position. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a watercraft retriever lift which is supported on the ground and river bottom by a plurality of articulated wheel assemblies. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a watercraft retriever lift which utilizes a minimum number of moving parts. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a watercraft retriever lift which requires a minimum initial capital cost outlay. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a watercraft retriever lift which is easy to maintain. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a watercraft retriever lift which can be continuously utilized with a minimum amount of down time. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a watercraft retriever lift which can support any type of watercraft. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a watercraft retriever lift which makes use of a winch positioned at variable locations depending on the particular application. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a watercraft retriever lift which can selectively include a bow stop against which the bow of a watercraft is placed in abutment for fixed mounting upon the carrier frame of the retriever lift. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a watercraft retriever lift which can include adjustable vertical guides to facilitate positioning of a watercraft upon the carrier frame. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a watercraft retriever lift which makes use of a longitudinally continuous member which can comprise a chain and/or cable means. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a watercraft retriever lift which can make use of an electric remote control device to facilitate remote operation thereof. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a watercraft retriever lift which can move a watercraft from an in-water position to a dry dock position and also facilitating return movement thereof. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a watercraft retriever lift which provides a ballast means for maintaining contact between the wheels and the river bottom or lake bottom surface. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a watercraft retriever lift which contains a ballast means for weighting thereof to be sure that the watercraft support mechanism travels upon the bottom surface of an adjacent river, lake or other body of water during use thereof. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     While the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portions herein, a preferred embodiment is set forth in the following detailed description which may be best understood when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a side plan view of the preferred embodiment of the watercraft retriever lift of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the retriever lift of the present invention showing an embodiment for the carrier frame and articulated suspension means; 
     FIG. 3 is a side plan view of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the retriever lift of the present invention showing an embodiment including the bow stop and the hull support members; 
     FIG. 5 is a side plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4; and 
     FIG. 6 is a side plan view of an alternative embodiment of the retriever lift of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention provides a retriever lift  12  which is adapted to receive a watercraft  10  thereon to facilitate movement thereof. The retriever lift  12  is adapted to move the watercraft  10  through an overland area  14  between a first position  16  and a second position  18 . Preferably the first position  16  will be a land area or dry dock position and the second position  18  will be in a body of water adjacent to the dry dock position such as a lake, river, ocean, canal or other area where such watercraft might be utilized. Conventional boat lifts are designed to lift the watercraft  10  vertically from the second position  12  within water for landing thereof or movement thereof to a dry dock position. The present invention provides a unique construction for a retriever lift  12  which is adapted to move a watercraft  10  through an overland area  14  between a first position  16  and a second position  18 . 
     In the preferred configuration the second position  18  is in the water where the boat is being used. Adjacent the second position  18  a second deadman fixed member  22  will preferably be positioned affixed to the floor of the body of water in such a manner as to be affixed and provide a fixed point of connection. A similar fixed point of connection is provided by a first deadman fixed member  20  on the land side adjacent the dry dock position. These two fixed members will provide the fixed securement for facilitating movement of the retriever lift  12  between the first and second positions  16  and  18 . 
     In the preferred configuration the retriever lift  12  includes a carrier frame  24  which can be of various particular constructions but will always include a first end  26  located on the land side of the retriever lift  12  closest to the first position  16 . Retriever lift  12  will also include a second end  28  on the water side of the retriever lift  12  closest to the second deadman fixed member  22  and the second position  18 . 
     Carrier frame  24  will preferably include at least two bunk members  30  extending longitudinally therealong with cross members  32  extending laterally therealong to form a generally rectangular structure fixed in all directions. The cross beam members  32  will preferably extend laterally beyond the bunk members  30  in order to provide a means for supporting of the wheels thereon. The cross beam members preferably will include guide pole brackets  36  adjustably secured thereto with guide poles  34  extending vertically therefrom. The guide pole brackets  36  provide adjustability in positioning of the guide poles  34  laterally along the cross beam members  32  such that they can be positioned in the proper location for different boats having different lateral dimensions. 
     Also to facilitate support of the hull of a watercraft  10  hull support member  38  can extend longitudinally generally parallel to the bunk members  30  and therebetween in order to support the hull of a watercraft  10  on both sides thereof to facilitate fixed securement thereof to the retriever lift  12  during movement. In a similar manner a bow stop  40  can be positioned adjacent the bow of a watercraft  10  when positioned securely upon the carrier frame  24  is such a manner that the bow will abut the bow stop  40  and further secure. the watercraft  10  as desired. 
     The carrier frame  24  will preferably be supported by an articulated suspension means which will preferably include a plurality of articulating arm members and axle members with wheels secured thereto. In the preferred configuration the articulated suspension means  42  will include a first articulating arm member  44  pivotally movable with respect to the carrier frame  24  with first axle members  46  extending outwardly laterally therefrom. A pair of first wheel means  64  will be positionable rotatably on the first axle members  46  to provide the articulated structure. In the preferred configuration each wheel of the pair of wheels  64  will be positioned on first axle members  46  on each opposite side of the point of pivotal securement of the first articulating arm member  44  with respect to the carrier frame  24 . 
     In a similar configuration a second articulating arm member  48  will be rotatably mounted preferably on the opposite side of the carrier frame  24  from the first articulating arm member  44  and will extend longitudinally with respect to the carrier frame  24  with second axle members  50  extending outwardly therefrom. A second pair of wheels  66  will be pivotally mounted on the second axle members  50  to form the articulated suspension member thereadjacent. In the preferred configuration two additional articulated constructions will be included rearwardly located from the first articulating arm member  44  and the second articulating arm member  48 . This construction will include a third articulating arm member  52  and a fourth articulating arm member  56 . Each will extend longitudinally along the carrier frame  24  near the second end  28  thereof and on opposite sides of the carrier frame  24 . Third articulating arm member  52  will include third axle members  54  extending outwardly therefrom with a third pair of wheels  68  rotatably mounted thereto. In a similar manner the fourth articulating arm member  56  will include fourth axle members  58  extending outwardly therefrom with a fourth pair of wheels  70  rotatably mounted thereto. 
     The construction of the wheel means  60  of the present invention will preferably be at least partially hydraulic and also partially pneumatic. That is, by the introduction of water as the inflatable into the inflatable wheels  60 , the wheels will be significantly weighted to allow the carrier frame  24  to travel upon the ground line overland when moving between the first and second positions  16  and  18 . While moving toward the second position  18  the carrier frame  24  will move below the water line which would provide a difficulty if the wheel means  60  were fully buoyant. If they were buoyant it is possible with certain types of watercraft that the carrier frame  24  would float on the water line and not travel along the overland area  14 . This would significantly impact the efficient operation of the retriever lift  12  of the present invention and, for this reason, all of the wheels  60  including the first, second, third and fourth pair of wheels  64 ,  66 ,  68  and  70  all should be adapted to receive a ballast material therein which could be water and in which case would be hydraulic with the remaining portion of the inflatable area filled with air. Alternatively this could be filled with sand or other ballast to maintain contact of the wheels  60  with respect to the river bottom or ocean bottom of the adjacent body of water. 
     Movement between the first position  16  and the second position  18  is achieved by the positioning of the continuous longitudinal means  72 . This continuous longitudinal means preferably is formed as a cable but it could be a chain or other longitudinally somewhat flexible member. A winch  74  is positioned as shown in FIG. 1 attached to the first deadman fixed member  20  in this specific preferred embodiment. 
     It should be appreciated that the continuous longitudinal cable or chain  72  will extend from the first end  26  of carrier frame  24  to the first deadman fixed member  20  and back toward the carrier frame  24  such that it extends along the carrier frame beneath a watercraft  10  positioned thereon again past the first end  26  thereof and then on further to the right as shown in FIG. 1 past the second end  28  thereof to the position of the second deadman fixed member  22 . Continuous member  72  will then extend from the second deadman fixed member  22  to the back of the carrier frame  24  to be attached with respect thereto. In this manner the continuous longitudinal member  78  will extend continuously from the front or first end  26  of the carrier frame to the back or second end  28  of the carrier frame  24  without any engagement whatsoever with respect to the carrier frame itself in order to facilitate complete and maintenance-free control thereof. Powering of the winch will cause the continuous longitudinal member  72  to be drawn in, in the upper portion on the left of FIG. 1, and allowed to extend outward in the lower portion which would achieve movement of the watercraft  10  to the first dry dock position  16 . Alternatively the operation of the winch in the opposite direction would cause the cable to be extended out in the upper portion of the left area of FIG.  1  and pulled in the lower portion which would cause the watercraft  10  and the retriever lift  12  to move toward the second position  18  in the adjacent water. Sheaves can be included mounted with respect to either the first deadman or the second deadman to facilitate pivoting of the continuous longitudinal means  72  there around. A first sheave means  78  may be secured to the first deadman fixed member  20  as shown in FIG. 6 and a second sheave  80  can be secured to the second deadman fixed member  22  as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6. The positioning of the winch  74  can vary and two examples of this positioning are shown in FIGS. 1 and 6. In FIG. 1 the winch  74  is secured to the first deadman fixed member  20  whereas in FIG. 6 the winch  74  is secured to the first end  26  of the carrier frame  24 . Other positions are possible and may include usage of one or both of the first and second sheaves  78  and  80  as described above. The longitudinal tension of the continuous longitudinal means  72  is an extremely important parameter of this invention and in order to control this tension a first tensioning means  82  may be included positioned between the continuous longitudinal means  72  and the first end  26  of carrier frame  24 . To further facilitate adjustment and positioning a second tensioning means  84  can be included between the continuous longitudinal cable or chain  72  and the second end  28  of the carrier frame  24 . 
     The configuration shown in FIG. 6 operates almost identically to the configuration shown in FIG.  1 . However the winch  74  in FIG. 1 is attached to the first deadman fixed member  20  whereas in the alternative configuration shown in FIG. 6 the winch  74  is attached to the first end  26  of carrier frame  24 . 
     The operation of the winch  74  in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1 is described here above wherein it is shown to be capable of moving the carrier frame  24  toward the first deadman  20  by wrapping up the portion of the continuous longitudinal member  72  extending toward the first end  26  of carrier frame  24  and letting out the portion of the longitudinal member extending there below from the winch  74  toward the second deadman fixed member  22 . The opposite rotational movement of the winch  74  clockwise will cause similar but opposite movement to allow the carrier frame  24  to move downwardly toward the second deadman fixed member  22 . 
     In a similar manner the winch  74  of FIG. 6 is operable. Winch  74  in embodiment shown in FIG. 6 when rotating in the counterclockwise direction will draw into it the portion of the continuous longitudinal means  72  extending to the left therefrom while simultaneously letting out from the winch  74  the portion of the continuous longitudinal means  72  which extends to the right from winch  74  extending freely along the carrier frame  24  to the second deadman fixed member  22 . In this manner the carrier frame  24  will be drawn toward the first deadman member. 
     Opposite rotation of the winch  74  in the clockwise direction will let out the section of the continuous longitudinal means  72  extending to the left therefrom as shown in FIG.  6  and will draw in the section of the continuous longitudinal means  72  as extending to the right of the winch  74  in FIG. 6 causing the carriage frame  24  to move over land toward the second deadman fixed member  22 . Thus we can see that the operation of the winch  78  is extremely similar regardless of whether the winch is mounted to the first end  26  of the carrier frame  24  as shown in FIG. 6 or if the winch  74  is mounted to the first deadman fixed member  20  as shown in the FIG. 1 configuration. 
     The individual first deadman fixed member  20  and second deadman fixed member  22  can be environmental structure such as piers and the like which may already be existing at the site or they can be sold with the retriever lift  12  apparatus of the present invention. It should be appreciated that the movement of the carrier frame  24  when supported by numerous articulated wheels is a very steady slow secure type movement which is desirable for movement of such watercraft  10  which are often very expensive and difficult to move. Heretofore use of such wheels has been found difficult. However, by including semi-pneumatic tires which are designed to receive water or sand, this will assure that the retriever lift  12  moves along the overland area  14  thereby eliminating problems of the prior art. 
     While particular embodiments of this invention have been shown in the drawings and described above, it will be apparent, that many changes may be made in the form, arrangement and positioning of the various elements of the combination. In consideration thereof it should be understood that preferred embodiments of this invention disclosed herein are intended to be illustrative only and not intended to limit the scope of the invention.