Abstract:
A paddle board rack is provided and which is designed to be secured to one side of a dock which extends outwardly into a body of water. The paddle board rack of this invention includes a vertically disposed mounting frame which is secured to one side of the dock. A lift frame is selectively vertically adjustably secured to the mounting frame. The lift frame includes a pair of lift arms which extend outwardly from the lower end of the lift frame. The lift arms are selectively movable from a first horizontally extending paddle board loading/unloading position to a substantially vertically disposed paddle board storage or rack position whereby the paddle board is positioned between the lift arms and the lift frame.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a paddle board dock rack which is designed to be secured to one side of a boat dock. More particularly, this invention relates to a paddle board dock rack which enables a paddle board to be easily lifted from the water and stored at one side of the dock. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Paddle boards or paddleboards have become very popular in the last several years. The paddle boards are usually launched from the shore of a body of water or launched from one side of a boat dock. When the paddle board is launched from the shore and returned to the shore, the person must drag the paddle board from the body of water and carry it or pull it to some other location for storage. When the paddle board is launched from one side of a boat dock, the person must usually get into the water to use the paddle board. When the person returns to the boat dock, the person must usually get into the water to lift the paddle board onto the dock. 
     In an effort to more easily launch the paddle board and to later dock the same, paddle board lifts or racks have been provided to enable the user to have a way to store the paddle board between times of usage. 
     One of the prior art paddle board storage devices is a lift or rack provided at one side of the boat dock which enables the paddle board to be lifted somewhat out of the water to be stored at one side of the boat dock. However, the prior art paddle board lifts or racks require the user to enter the water and position the paddle board onto the lift. Further, the prior art paddle board lifts or racks are not convenient to use. Additionally, the prior art paddle board lifts or racks are not able to accommodate paddle board of various sizes. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     The paddle board dock rack of this invention is designed to be secured to one side of a conventional boat dock having a platform or a deck. The paddle board dock rack includes a vertically disposed mounting frame which is configured to be secured to one side of the dock. The mounting frame has an upper end, a lower end, a first side and a second side. In the preferred embodiment, first and second vertically disposed and horizontally spaced-apart tubes are secured to the mounting frame. A vertically disposed lift frame having an upper end, a lower end, and a first side and a second side, is selectively vertically adjustably secured to first and second tubes of the mounting frame. The lift frame is selectively vertically movable between an upper position and a lower position with respect to the first and second tubes and the mounting frame. The lift frame has a pair of slide blocks secured thereto which are slidably mounted on the first and second tubes respectively and which may be locked in position with respect to the first and second tubes between their upper and lower ends. 
     A lift handle is secured to the upper end of the lift frame which extends upwardly therefrom so that a person on the dock may grasp the lift handle and move the lift frame between its upper and lower positions. A first support leg, having inner and outer ends, extends downwardly and then outwardly from the lower end of the lift frame at the first side thereof. A second support leg, having inner and outer ends, extends downwardly and then outwardly from the lower end of the lift frame at the second side thereof. 
     A third support leg, having inner and outer ends, has its inner end selectively pivotally secured, about a horizontal axis, to the outer end of the first support leg. A fourth support leg, having inner and outer ends, has its inner end selectively pivotally secured, about a horizontal axis, to the outer end of the second support leg. At least one brace is secured to the third and fourth support legs so as to extend therebetween. 
     The third and fourth support legs are selectively pivotally movable with respect to the first and second support legs between a first generally horizontally disposed paddle board loading position and a second generally vertically disposed paddle board storage position. An elongated flexible first rope, having first and second ends, has its first end operatively connected to the third and fourth support legs with the second end of the first rope configured to extend to the dock whereby a person on the dock may use the first rope to move the third and fourth support legs between the first and second positions. 
     When the third and fourth support legs are in their horizontally disposed first position, a paddle board may be placed thereon. The first rope is then utilized to pivotally move the third and fourth support legs and the paddle board thereon upwardly and inwardly so as to be positioned adjacent the lift frame. The lift handle may then be used to move the lift frame and the paddle board upwardly to a stowed position adjacent the boat dock at one side thereof. 
     It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide an improved paddle board dock rack which is adapted to be secured to one side of a dock. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide an improved paddle board dock rack wherein the paddle board may be mounted thereon and be pivotally moved towards the frame of the rack and then be moved upwardly out of the water for storage beside the side of the dock. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a paddle board dock rack of the type described including means for locking the lift frame of the invention with the paddle board thereon in an upper position out of the water. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a paddle board dock rack which is easy and safe to use and does not require a person to enter the water to move a paddle board from a floating position to a storage position and vice versa. 
     These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the paddle board dock rack of this invention secured to one side of a dock with a paddle board positioned thereon; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the paddle board dock rack of this invention secured to one side of a dock; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view which illustrates a paddle board being initially positioned on the dock rack of this invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a view similar to  FIG. 3  except that a paddle board is not positioned on the dock rack; 
         FIG. 5A  is a perspective view similar to  FIG. 4  except that the dock is not shown; 
         FIG. 5B  is a perspective view similar to  FIG. 5A  as taken from another side of the dock rack; 
         FIG. 6  is the top view of the dock rack of this invention secured to one side of a dock; 
         FIG. 7  is a front elevational view of the dock rack of this invention with the lift frame thereof being in a lower position and the support legs thereof being in a horizontally disposed position; 
         FIG. 8  is a partial side view illustrating the dock rack position of this invention with the support legs thereof in the horizontally disposed position; 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the dock rack of this invention with the support legs thereof in substantially vertically disposed position; 
         FIG. 10  is a partial sectional view illustrating the dock rack of this invention in its upper position and with the support legs thereof being in the vertically disposed position; 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view of one of the slide blocks of this invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a sectional view of one of the slide blocks of this invention; and 
         FIG. 13  is a partial view of the dock rack of this invention secured to the dock. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense in that the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims. 
     The numeral  10  refers to the paddle board dock rack of this invention which is designed to be secured to the side  12  of a conventional boat dock  14  having a platform or deck  16 . Dock rack  10  includes a mounting frame  18  which is secured to side  12  of the dock  14  or to the end of the dock  14 . Frame  18  includes a horizontally disposed upper frame member  20  having ends  22  and  24 . A vertically disposed frame member  26 , having an upper end  28  and a lower end  30 , has its upper end  28  secured to end  22  of frame member  20  and extends downwardly therefrom. A vertically disposed frame member  32 , having an upper end  34  and a lower end  36 , has its upper end  34  secured to end  24  of frame member  20  and extending downwardly therefrom. Preferably, a horizontally disposed lower frame member  38  has its ends secured to the lower ends  30  and  36  of frame members  26  and  32  respectively and extends therebetween. 
     Frame member  26  has an angular cross-section and includes a base portion  40  and an angular portion  42  which extends transversely outwardly from the outer end of base portion  40 . Base portion  40  has a plurality of vertically spaced-apart fastener opening  44  formed therein. 
     Frame member  32  has an angular cross-section and includes a base portion  46  and an angular portion  48  which extends transversely outwardly from the outer end of base portion  46 . Base portion  46  has a plurality of vertically spaced-apart fastener openings  50  formed therein. 
     The upper outer end of angular portion  42  has a stand-off member  52  extending outwardly therefrom. The lower outer end of angular portion  42  has a stand-off member  54  extending outwardly therefrom. The upper outer end of angular portion  48  has a stand-off member  56  extending outwardly therefrom. The lower outer end of angular portion  48  has a stand-off member  58  extending outwardly therefrom. 
     The numeral  60  refers to an elongated and vertically disposed tube having an upper end  62  and a lower end  64 . The tube  60  is welded or otherwise secured, at its upper end, to the outer end of stand-off member  52  and is welded or otherwise secured, at its lower end, to the outer end of stand-off member  54 . The number  66  refers to an elongated and vertically disposed tube having an upper end  68  and a lower end  70 . The tube  66  is welded or otherwise secured, at its upper end, to the outer end of stand-off member  56  and is welded or otherwise secured, at its lower end, to the outer end of stand-off member  58 . 
     Base portions  40  and  46  of frame members  26  and  32  respectively are secured to the boat dock  14  by screws or bolts extending through the fastener openings  44  and  50  of base portions  40  and  46  and into the dock  14 . The vertically spaced-apart fastener openings  44  and  50  enable the mounting frame  18  to be selectively vertically adjustably secured to the dock  14 . 
     The numeral  72  refers to a lift frame which is vertically movably mounted on the tubes  60  and  66  as will now be described. Lift frame  72  includes a horizontally disposed upper frame member  74 , a horizontally disposed lower frame member  76 , a vertically disposed first side frame member  78  and a vertically disposed second side frame member  80 . Lift frame  72  also includes a vertically disposed frame member  81  which is secured to frame members  74  and  76  so as to extend therebetween inwardly of frame member  78 . Lift frame  72  further includes a vertically disposed frame member  82  which is secured to frame members  74  and  76  so as to extend therebetween inwardly of frame member  80 . 
     Frame member  78  includes a curved support leg  83  which extends downwardly and outwardly from the lower end thereof. The outwardly extending portion of support leg  83  is telescopic so as to be length adjustable. An elongated support leg  84  has its inner end  86  pivotally secured, about a horizontal axis, to the outer end of the outwardly extending portion of support leg  83 . 
     Frame member  80  includes a curved support leg  88  which extends downwardly and outwardly from the lower end thereof. The outwardly extending portion of support leg  88  is telescopic so as to be length adjustable. An elongated support leg  90 , has its inner end  92  pivotally secured, about a horizontal axis, to the outer end of the outwardly extending portion of support leg  88 . A brace  94  is secured to the outer ends of support legs  84  and  90  and extends therebetween. A brace  96  is secured to the support legs  84  and  90  at the inner ends thereof and extends therebetween. For ease of description, the numeral  97  will refer to the assembly which is comprised of support leg  84 , support leg  90 , brace  94  and brace  96 . 
     The numeral  98  refers to a hollow handle including a grip portion  99  and legs  100  and  102  which are clamped onto frame member  74  by clamp assemblies  104  and  106  respectively. A bracket  108  is secured to leg  100  at the upper end and has a rope receiving slot  110  formed therein which extends downwardly thereinto from the upper end thereof. An elongated flexible rope or cable  112  has its lower end  114  secured to brace  94 . The upper end of rope  112  has a T-shaped handle  116  secured thereto. Rope  112  has a knot  118  formed therein between the lower and upper ends thereof. Rope  112  is used to pivotally raise and lower assembly  97  as will be described in more detail hereinafter. 
     The numeral  120  refers to a slide block which is secured to frame member  81  as seen in the drawings for movement therewith. A slide block  120 ′ is secured to frame member  82  as seen in the drawings for movement therewith. Inasmuch as slide block  120 ′ is a mirror image of slide block  120 , only slide block  120  will be described in detail with “′” indicating identical structure on slide block  120 ′. 
     Slide block  120  includes a lower block member  122  having an upper block member  124  secured thereto by screws or bolts  126 . The upper side of lower block member  122  has an opening, notch or compartment  128  formed therein which is defined by an open inner end  130 , an inclined lower wall  132 , a vertically disposed side wall  134 , a vertically disposed side wall  136 , an open outer end  138  and an open inner end  140 . Lower block member  122  has a vertically disposed slot  142  formed therein which movably receives the angular portion  42  of frame member  26 . Lower block member  122  has a vertically disposed cylindrical opening  144  extending therethrough which movably receives the tube  60  therein. An elongated, flat locking tab  146  is positioned in the opening  128  as seen in the drawings so that the end  148  thereof is positioned outwardly of lower block member  122 . Locking tab  146  has an opening  150  formed therein inwardly of end  148  thereof. Locking tab  146  has a cylindrical opening or bore  152  formed therein which movably receives the tube  60  therein. A slot  154  is formed in locking tab  146  as seen in  FIG. 11 . 
     The lower end of upper block member  124  is positioned upon the upper end of lower block member and has a cylindrical opening  156  extending upwardly thereinto which receives the upper end of a spring  158 . Upper block member  124  also has a cylindrical opening or bore  160  formed therein which movably receives the tube  60  therein. A slot  162  is formed in upper block member as seen in  FIG. 11 . 
     The compression spring  158  yieldably urges the locking tab  146  downwardly to its lower locking position as seen in  FIG. 12 . When the locking tab  146  is in its locked position, the central lower edge of opening  152  and the central upper edge of opening  152  bite into the exterior surface of tube  60  to lock the slide block  120  in position. When the locking tab  146  is pivotally moved upwardly from its locked position to its unlocked position, the slide block  120  may slidably move with respect to tube  60 . 
     One end of a rope or cable  164  extends through opening  150  of locking tab  146  and is secured thereto by a knot or any other conventional means. Rope  164  extends upwardly and inwardly from locking tab  146  and extends inwardly into the interior of leg  100  of handle  98  by way of an opening formed in leg  100 . Rope  164  extends upwardly through the interior of leg  100  and exits from leg  100  by way of an opening formed in leg  100  below grip portion  99  of handle  98 . Rope  164  then extends through a tubular member  166 , thence into leg  102  by way of an opening formed in leg  102 . Rope  164  then extends downwardly through leg  102  and exits therefrom by way of an opening formed in leg  102 . Rope  164  then extends downwardly for connection to locking tab  146 ′ in slide block  120 ′. 
     Thus, the locking tabs  146  and  146 ′ are normally in their locked positions due to the compression springs in slide blocks  120  and  120 ′ which locks slide blocks  120  and  120 ′ in position with respect to tubes  60  and  66  respectively. The locking tabs  146  and  146 ′ may be moved to their unlocked positions by a person who grips the tubular member  166  and moves the tubular member  166  upwardly towards the grip portion  99  of handle  98 . The upward movement of tubular member  166  causes the ends of rope  164  to pull the locking tabs  146  and  146 ′ upwardly which moves the locking tabs  146  and  146 ′ to their unlocked positions whereby slide blocks  120  and  120 ′ may be moved with respect to tubes  60  and  66  respectively. 
     The method of using the paddle board dock rack  10  will now be described. Assuming that the dock rack is not being used, the lift frame  72  will usually be in its uppermost position with respect to the mounting frame  18 . At that time, the slide blocks  120  and  120 ′ will be in their locked positions with respect to tubes  60  and  66 . 
     When it is desired to stow or rack a paddle board  168 , the lift frame  72  will be lowered from the position of  FIG. 10  to the position of  FIG. 9 . That position is possible by the person moving the locking tabs  146  and  146 ′ in the slide blocks  120  and  120 ′ to their unlocked position. When in the lowered position, the locking tabs  146  and  146 ′ will then be moved to their locked positions. The assembly  97  will then be lowered to the position of  FIGS. 5A and 8 . At that time, the rope  112  will then be received in the slot  110  and the T-shaped handle  116  will maintain the lift assembly  97  in the position of  FIG. 8 . 
     The paddle board  168  will then be floated onto the lift assembly  97 . The rope  112  will then be pulled upwardly which causes the lift assembly  97  and the paddle board  168  to be moved from the position of  FIG. 3  to the position of  FIG. 1 . At that time, the person will raise tubular member  166  to unlock slide blocks  120  and  120 ′. The lift handle  98  will then be raised to move the lift frame  72 , the lift assembly  97 , and the paddle board  168  to an upper position whereby the paddle board  168  is raised upwardly out of the water. 
     When it is desired to launch the paddle board  168 , the lift frame  72  is lowered with respect to mounting frame  18  by unlocking slide blocks  120  and  120 ′. When the lift frame  72  is in its lower position, the rope  112  will be relaxed so that the lift assembly  97  and the paddle board can be lowered to the horizontally disposed position. The paddle board  168  may then be launched. 
     Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives. 
     Although the invention has been described in language that is specific to certain structures and methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures and/or steps described. Rather, the specific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing the claimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.