Abstract:
Disclosed herein are various exemplary watercraft docking systems including a boat attachable portion that couples and aligns to a trailer portion. Detailed information on various example embodiments of the inventions are provided in the Detailed Description below, and the inventions are defined by the appended claims.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This Application claims the benefit of the U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/480,798 filed Jun. 24, 2003, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    The claimed inventions relate generally to boat to trailer couplings, and more particularly to watercraft docking systems that include automatic bow alignment and capturing operation.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY  
         [0003]    Disclosed herein are various exemplary watercraft docking systems including a boat attachable portion that couples and aligns to a trailer portion. Detailed information on various example embodiments of the inventions are provided in the Detailed Description below, and the inventions are defined by the appended claims. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0004]    [0004]FIGS. 1A and 1B show an exemplary boat docking system with self-alignment and latching in a capture state.  
         [0005]    [0005]FIGS. 2A and 2B shows the boat docking system of FIG. 1 in an entry state.  
         [0006]    [0006]FIG. 3A and 3B shows the boat docking system of FIG. 1 in a release state.  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 4 illustrates a capture and release control mechanism utilizing mechanical operation.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 5 illustrates a capture and release control mechanism utilizing electrical operation.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 6 illustrates conceptually the locations of various docking components relative to a trailer.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 7 depicts a capturable head having a collapsible profile.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIGS. 8A, 8B and  8 C depict a capturable head having external pawls and an internal motor cavity.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 9 depicts a bow mountable portion having a motor included within a capturable head external to the hull of a boat.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 10A conceptually illustrates a bow mountable portion having a retractable head mechanism.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 10B conceptually illustrates a bow mountable portion having a head designed to retract into a recess in a hull. 
     
    
       [0015]    Reference will now be made in detail to various systems incorporating a bow mountable portion capturable in a receiver or trailer portion which may include some more specific embodiments of the claimed inventions, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0016]    Many persons have come to enjoy the activity of boating on many of the world&#39;s lakes and waterways. To transport watercraft from one&#39;s home to a water site, a trailer is used, which is generally towed behind a vehicle using roadways. To launch the watercraft a ramp is typically used. The trailer is backed onto the ramp sufficiently to cause the watercraft to begin to float At that point, a pilot enters the watercraft cockpit, while an assistant locates near the winch or other release mechanism. When the watercraft is released from the trailer, the pilot drives the motor in reverse to separate the craft from the trailer, after which the trailer and towing vehicle may be parked. The assistant might then enter the craft from a dock or by wading or swimming to the craft.  
         [0017]    To retrieve the craft the process is substantially reversed. The trailer is backed into the water to a certain position. The pilot then carefully guides the craft over the trailer, following which the assistant latches and winches the craft onto the trailer. This procedure can be especially difficult in rough or choppy waters, as the craft may be jostled about in relation to the trailer. Of additional note, in both of the above procedures, the securing and releasing of the craft may be a two-person operation, however one person might perform the procedure if he doesn&#39;t mind wading or swimming between the trailer and the released craft.  
         [0018]    Referring now to figures  1 A and  1 B, an exemplary boat docking system with self-alignment and latching is depicted in a captured position. That system is divided into a boat attachable portion and a trailer attachable portion. The boat attachable portion includes a protruding head  1  which protrudes from the hull  11  of the boat&#39;s bow. Head  1  may be machined from a unitary block of metal, or may be assembled as several rigid or semi-rigid parts. Head  1  might be machined from a metal, such as aluminum, from a plastic, such as Delrin® or nylon, or other composite materials. In this example, head  1  takes on an arrowhead shape, the head coming to a rounded point and having corners extending to provide latching surfaces  18   a  and  18   b . Also in this example, a shaft  2  passes through a guide  3 , which maintains the shaft in a forward orientation, the forward direction being relative to the boat. A shaft end  4  provides a lateral securement, which might be through a collar or stop arrangement within hull  11 , which is not shown. Further in this example, the head  1  is attached to shaft  2 , which shaft is in rotatable communication with a swivel or bearing device located in guide  3 . Guide  3  may incorporate a unique mounting bracket specifically and uniquely designed for the particular contour of a receiving craft&#39;s bow.  
         [0019]    The trailer portion includes two guides,  5   a  and  5   b , which in this example provide several functions. First, the interface between guides  5   a  and  5   b  form a separation to enclose the protrusion of the boat portion, in this example shaft  2 . Second, guides  5   a  and  5   b  provide guidance for a forward moving head, whereby the head  1  may be directed to the separation between the guides. In this example, guides  5   a  and  5   b  are shaped as striking plates, although other shapes may be similarly utilized. Third and lastly, the guides  5   a  and  5   b  prevent head  1  from moving backward out of the capture position by physical holding force on latchable surfaces  18   a  and  18   b . Further in this example, the ends of guides  5   a  and  5   b  may be profiled to provide contact over a wider area of surfaces  18   a  and  18   b , which may be done to inhibit wear and generally provide strength. Also in this example, guides  5   a  and  5   b  are rotatably mounted to axial members  7   a  and  7   b , which in this case are rigid cylinders, coupled by rotating sleeves  6 a and  6 b.  
         [0020]    Referring now to figure 1B, the separation between guides  5   a  and  5   b  is generally vertical, permitting head  1  to move up and down while remaining captured between the guides. In this way, a boat is permitted some freedom to move, which may reduce stress of the various components and assist in properly seating of the boat to the trailer when the trailer is pulled from the water.  
         [0021]    Guides  5   a  and  5   b  might be fashioned from plate metal, for example stainless steel. Alternatively, guides  5   a  and  5   b  may be lined with a substantially frictionless material, for example Dehrin®, which may improve resistance to marring and denting and assisting the aligning movement of the head  1  into the separation between guides  5   a  and  5   b . That lining may also inhibit impact damage to the hull  11  of the watercraft, should the hull impact guides  5   a  and  5   b.    
         [0022]    Axial members  7   a  and  7   b  are mounted to a base  8 , which maintains the position of axial member  7   a  and  7   b  relative to each other. A top brace  12  is provided, in this example, to stiffen the system and reduce stress at the lower portions of axial members  7   a  and  7   b . Brace  12  may be set at a height to restrict vertical travel of the head  1 , shaft  2  or the boat&#39;s bow from vertically exiting the receiver, and may further be lined with a relatively soft material to prevent marring, for example nylon. The vertical position of guides  5   a  and  5   b  are held in place by securable stops  14   a  and  14   b . In this example, gravity is utilized to keep the guides  5   a  and  5   b  from moving upward, although additional stops may be installed if desired. Also in this example, the vertical position of guides  5   a  and  5   b  may be adjusted by moving stops  14   a  and  14   b  up or down, as desired. A tensioning component  15  is included to provide a convergent force between guides  5   a  and  5   b , by which the guides are brought together in a restricted separation. Guide stops  10   a  and  10   b , attached by rods  9   a  and  9   b , are provided to maintain a selected separation between guides  5   a  and  5   b . Rods  9   a  and  9   b  may provide adjustment of guide stops  10   a  and  10   b , by which guides  5   a  and  5   b  may be brought to contact with hull  11 , providing further securing and/or clamping of the boat to the receiver in the capture position. In this way these components of the trailer portion act as a receiver for the head  1  and boat generally.  
         [0023]    Guide  3  is configured to permit shaft  2  and head  1  to rotate into a capture position and a release position. FIGS. 1A and 1B show the head in a horizontal capture position, while FIGS. 3A and 3B show the head in a release, or vertical position. Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, head  1  has a profile larger than the separation between guides  5   a  and  5   b  in one direction, and smaller in another direction. With head  1  in release position, i.e. in a position whereby the smaller profile is presented in the separation between the plates, the latching action is absent, as the latching surfaces  18   a  and  18   b  no longer make contact. With nothing to resist backward motion, the boat may gently exit the receiver and depart from the attached trailer.  
         [0024]    The receiver may also act to assist alignment and coupling of a boat approaching the trailer. On approach of a boat, head  1  will first contact one of guides  5   a  or  5   b . As guides  5   a  and  5   b  are angled forward, a forward motion of the boat may be continued. Alternatively, the boat may be pushed into coupling by it&#39;s motor, or pulled forward by a tow line. Should head contact one of guides  5   a  or  5   b  rearward of axial members  7   a  and  7   b , stops  10   a  or  10   b  prevent guides  5   a  or  5   b  from presenting face-on, which would tend to limit the guiding function. The head  1  will continue forward along the guides until it contacts both guides, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. Given continued forward force or motion, the separation between guides  5   a  and  5   b  widens to accept head  1 , though rotation of guides  5   a  and  5   b  about axial members  7   a  and  7   b . Tensioning component  15 , in this example a spring, lengthens in response to the pressure of head  1  against guides  5   a  and  5   b . With continued forward motion, head  1  moves through the separation and beyond guides  5   a  and  5   b . The guides  5   a  and  5   b  are then brought together into the capture position of figures  1 A and  1 B by tensioning component  15 .  
         [0025]    In an alternative operation, guides  5   a  and  5   b  do not rotate but rather slide apart. In that alternative configuration, guides  5   a  and  5   b  may be mounted in one or more tracks, permitting lateral guide motion. As head  1  presses against a guide it is forced in an outward direction, increasing the separation between the guides. A positioning device, such as a spring, might be included to bring a guide back to a default capture position in the absence of head pressure.  
         [0026]    Now the rotation of head  1  and related components may be controlled from the cockpit of the boat, two exemplary control systems being shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. By locating the release mechanism inside the boat, it may not be necessary to have an assistant in the course of launching the boat One person can position the boat and trailer in the water, enter the boat, operate the release, and thereby launch the boat.  
         [0027]    Now referring to FIG. 4, a capture and release mechanism is depicted utilizing mechanical operation. A disk  30  is in physical communication with the head, and may be rotated to bring the head into a capture and a release position, for example by a shaft  2  in figure 1A. In this example, disk  30  is located within the hull, and secured though a swivel or rotating bearing device, for example a ball bearing device. A lever arm  31  is connected to disk  30 , whereby a lateral force on the end of arm  31  may rotate disk  30 . A tensional spring  33  and spring securement  32  provides force to arm  31 , whereby the arm and disk  30  may be held in a default position, which is in this example the capture position. A stop  34  may also be provided to prevent the arm from over-rotating. A cable  36  attaches to arm  31 , whereby a tensioning force on cable  36  may overcome the force exerted by spring  33  and move arm  31  into a release position shown in dashed lines, also rotating disk  30 . Cable  36  is enclosed in a sheath  38  for a portion of its run, and is secured in place by brackets  35  and  37 . A handle  39  is finally connected to cable  36  whereby an operator may pull handle  39  and put tension in cable  36 , rotating arm  31  and disk  30  into the release position.  
         [0028]    In FIG. 5 an electrical mechanism for rotating a head is depicted. A rotating disk or swivel device  50  is provided, which is physically connected to the head as in the example of FIG. 4. A protrusion  54  is provided in disk  50 , which prevents the disk from rotating beyond a range of motion defined by stops  53   a  and  53   b . A reversible DC motor  52  is provided, which is coupled to the teeth in disk  50  through a set of reduction gears, or in this example one reduction gear  51 . DPST switch  55  provides a connection from a power source, such as a battery, to the forward and reverse terminals of motor  52 , thereby causing rotation of disk  50  to a capture and a release position. If desired, further electronics may be incorporated whereby a momentary switch may be used. In that example, the default position of the toggle will be sensed by the electronics, which causes motor  52  to drive the disk into the capture position. The electronics may further include a sensor that turns off motor  52  when disk  50  reaches a certain position. Alternatively, motor  52  may be driven for a fixed period of time, after which the motor is de-energized and battery power is conserved. Likewise, when the momentary switch is activated, motor  52  is driven into the release position. A circuit breaker or other current limiting device may be included to prevent motor  52  from being overdriven and/or overheating.  
         [0029]    Motor  52  may be substituted with other electromechanical devices, for example a stepper motor or a solenoid, and thus the particular configuration of FIG. 5 need not be adhered to. An indicator light may also be incorporated into the cockpit, so as to give the pilot an indication of the position of the head, which he may not be able to see from the cockpit. The indicator light might utilize a sensor on the disk or motor, or a current sensor sensing the current to the motor. Many other configurations are possible, as will be seen by one of ordinary skill.  
         [0030]    Shown conceptually in FIG. 6 is a trailer including elements as described above. Trailer  61  includes a vertically projecting member  62 , on which is mounted base  8 . Base  8  might attach through an insertable portion to vertical member  62 , secured with a setscrew or bolt. Likewise, base  8  might be attached through U-bolts, or any number of other attachments. Guides  5   a  and  5   b  are further mounted to base  8 , as described above. Head  1  projects from the bow of boat  63 , here shown in a decoupled position from guides  5   a  and  5   b . A conventional winch tiedown system  16  may be incorporated into trailer  61 , which may secure boat  63  generally to vertical member  62  through a cable connectable to U-bolt  60 .  
         [0031]    An alternate docking system differs from that shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B,  2 A,  2 B,  3 A and  3 B in that guides  5   a  and  5   b  are held in a fixed position. In that system, axial members  7   a  and  7   b  may be replaced by structural members, plates  5   a  and  5   b  firming affixed thereto through welding or other attachment. As guides  5   a  and  5   b  do not move in that example, tensioning component  15  and other components may be omitted, as will be understood by one of ordinary skill.  
         [0032]    That alternate docking system utilizes a head incorporating retracting catch surfaces, one exemplary head  70  being depicted in FIG. 7. Head  7  includes a body  71 , with raised portions  72 ,  73 , and  74 . In this example, body  71  may be machined from a block of metal or other hard composite or plastic as described. Alternatively, body might be fashioned from stamped and pressed metal, or many other manufacturing methods. Body also attaches to a shaft  77 , as in the above described examples. A cover, not shown, may be attached over raised portions  72 ,  73 , and  74  to complete the head body assembly, for example by threaded fasteners or by welding.  
         [0033]    Raised portion  72  provides impact strength to the front of head  70 , which is the area that may strike guides  5   a  and  5   b . Raised portion  73  provides protection for the internal components of head  70 , and may further prevent insertion of foreign objects. Pawls  75   a  and  75   b  (catches), pivot about pins  78   a  and  78   b , which might in one example be pressed into body  71  and the top. Pawls  75   a  and  75   b  may move into an extended and retracted position, pawl  75   a  being shown in the extended and pawl  75   b  shown in the retracted positions. Pawls  75   a  and  75   b  are forced outward into the extended position by compression springs  76 a and  76 b, which rest in recesses in raised portion  74 .  
         [0034]    The docking operation of head  70  is as follows. Head  70  first encounters guides on it&#39;s forward surfaces, which surround raised region  72 . As the head moves forward, the head encounters the separation between the guides, which in one example is about three inches. The width of body  71  is dimensioned slightly smaller than that separation. Head  70  therefore moves forward until pawls  75   a  and  75   b  contact the guides. Inward pressure is exerted on pawls  75   a  and  75   b  as the head  70  continues to move forward between the guides, by which the pawls are brought into their retracted positions. As head  70  continues forward, pawls  75   a  and  75   b  move beyond the guides, and snap back into extended positions. Pawls  75   a  and  75   b  then present latchable surfaces  79   a  and  79   b  to the guides, which prevents backward motion of the head out of the receiver. Head  70  may be released from the receiver by rotating to a release position, as in the above described examples.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIGS. 8A, 8B and  8 C depict components of another head having pawls and further having a cavity  86  wherein a motor may be placed. Referring now to FIG. 8A, a left pawl  80   a  is shown having a pivot hole  82  through which a pin, rivet, bolt or other securement may pivotably attach the pawl  80   a  to head body  81 . A slot  83  is also provided in pawl  80   a  to further secure the pawl to head body  81  and further to permit a range of rotation about the pivot hole  82 . Pivot hole  82  and slot  83  are both recessed about the perimeter, permitting a bolt or other fastener to be seated at a lower profile in the assembled head. A side rail  85  extends downward, as if looking at FIG. 8A from above, providing a surface on which a guide or plate may ride. The pawl shown in FIG. 8A might be made using stamping and/or pressing operations using plate steel material. A right pawl  80   b  may be fashioned to be the mirror image of left pawl  80   a    
         [0036]    In FIG. 8B a body  81  is shown including a cavity  86  which is shaped to accept and mount a geared motor. Cavity  86  further includes a shaft passage, not shown, for communicating the motor shaft to the exterior of body  81  to a connection with a fixed member. Recesses  88  may be provided for reducing the profile of pawls  80   a  and  80   b , perhaps flush with the remainder of body  81 . Fastener holes  87  and  89  are provided to accept fasteners securing pawls  80   a  and  80   b  using pivot holes  82  and slots  83 . Body  81  might be fashioned using machining techniques and a machinable material such as aluminum.  
         [0037]    Finally, in FIG. 8C an assembled head is shown using body  81  and pawls  80   a  and  80   b , which pawls are mounted externally to body  81  as described above. Pawl  80   a  is shown in an extended position and pawl  80   b  is shown in a retracted position, as if pressure were being applied to pawl  80   b  and not  80   a    
         [0038]    Referring now to FIG. 9, another exemplary docking and securing system is depicted having a motor  102  included in head  100 . Head  100  is shown in the captured position, generally between and afore guides  101   a  and  101   b . Motor  102  is of the type including internal reduction gears, and is affixed to head by way of pin  104 . A shaft  105  extends toward the bow of the boat, ending and being attached to a mounting plate  107  by a hex key  109 . As motor  102  is energized, the housing of motor  102  rotates, and head  100  also rotates being fixed thereto. Swivel plate  106  riding on bearings  110  in a bearing race are provided to resist forces that may strike the forward portion of head  100 , particularly during docking operations when head  100  may strike guides  101   a  and  101   b . In this example, the rotational motion of head  100  may be restricted through stop blocks located in plates  106  and  107 , perhaps within the circumference of the bearing race. A boat adapter  108  is fashioned to fit the particular hull  111  of the boat, and attaches to mounting plate  107 , thereby securing the head assembly to the boat A motor cable  103  is passed through swivel plate  106  through a slot or large hole and through mounting plate  107 , boat adapter  108  and hull  111  through a small channel, which may then be routed to a control device in the cockpit.  
         [0039]    The example boat attachable portion of FIG. 9 is less intrusive than earlier examples on a boat&#39;s hull, as only small holes need by made therein for fasteners and the wire channel. Additionally, the space within hull  111  is not invaded, which makes that exemplary system more suitable for boats with limited bow space.  
         [0040]    Another exemplary boat attachable portion is depicted in figure 10A, which includes a retractable head. In this example, a head  120   a  is shown captured between guides  122   a  and  122   b . In this example, guides  122   a  and  122   b  are thicker than in prior examples, which permit pawls  121   a  and  121   b  to rest against the edge of those guides. As in prior examples, pawls  121   a  and  121   b  pivot to permit insertion of the head  120  through the separation between guides  122   a  and  122   b  . A spring  123  provides tension to keep pawls  121   a  and  121   b  in a default extended position in the absence of pressure. Now it is to be understood that pawls  121   a  and  121   b  might be substituted with fixed head features having other contact surfaces, provided that guides  122   a  and  122   b  may be separated, as in earlier examples.  
         [0041]    Head  120  includes a shaft  124  which passes through hull  135 , in this example, and is affixed to a motor shaft  128 . Shaft  124  is restricted laterally by a guide  125 , which is affixed to an internal structure of the boat. A bearing component  126  fixes lateral motion at the end of shaft  124  while permitting rotation thereof. Motor shaft  128  is driven by motor  127  through internal reduction gears to provide the necessary torque to rotate head  120  in operation. A carriage  134  provides a platform for motor  127  and other components, and is permitted to travel through a range in a forward and rearward motion relative to the hull  135 . In this example, carriage  134  is affixed to slides  129   a  and  129   b , which are in turn attached to a bracket  130  affixed to an internal structure of the boat. The position of carriage  134  is controlled by driving motor  131 , on which is attached a gear  133  affixed to that motor&#39;s shaft. As gear  133  rotates, a force is exerted on carriage  134  through toothed track  132 , which teeth mesh and communicate with the teeth of gear  133 .  
         [0042]    As gear  133  rotates in a forward-driving rotation, track  132  and carriage  134  are forced forward, which also forces shaft  124  and head  120  into a more extended position from the hull  135 . Likewise, a rearward-driving rotation on gear  133  retracts shaft  124  and head  120  toward the hull. Guide  125  may be configured to act as a forward stop for carriage  134 , perhaps using a surface of bearing component  126 . Other devices may be included to stop motion in the forward or rearward directions of carriage  134 , as will be understood by one of ordinary skill. Likewise, rotational stops may be included to restrict the rotation of shaft  124 , which might, for example, be accomplished by the insertion of one or more pins into the shaft coming into interference with other components fixed to the boat. In an alternate configuration, a solenoid replaces motor  131 , and gear  133  and track  132  are omitted.  
         [0043]    Referring now to FIG. 10B, a bow-mounted portion is depicted similar to that of FIG. 10A further including a head  120   b  retractable into a recess  136 . In that example, head  120   b  is shaped to match the curve of hull  135 , although that is not a requirement Head  120   b  may be painted or finished similarly to the hull  135 , which may serve to camouflage or reduce the noticeability of the head.  
         [0044]    As for materials, many types of materials may be used, provided that consideration is given to the desirable strength and durability of the system. Aluminum may be particularly desirable, as it is not subject to rust and is relatively easy to machine. Stainless steel is also a good choice, with its relative strength. Steel might also be advantageously used, especially if plated with nickel or other rust-inhibiting material. Yet many other metals, plastics and composites might be used, as will be understood by one of ordinary skill.  
         [0045]    In another exemplary system the bow portion is constructed of rust-impervious materials, such as aluminum and nylon, as the bow portion is the most likely to encounter long exposure to water. In that system, the receiver portion may be fashioned from steel, rubber and other weathering materials, provided that moving portions are lubricated sufficiently to ensure protection and movement of joints. The receiver portion may also be coated, for example with enamel, to prolong the life of the component parts.  
         [0046]    Now although the systems described above have been discussed in relation to a boat, those systems may be adapted to other watercraft types with minor modification, for example hovercrafts and jet-skis, and many other types. Described systems might also be adapted for use with land vehicles, for example all-terrain vehicles. The scope of use of the above described systems should therefore be interpreted broadly rather than restrictively.  
         [0047]    While various systems incorporating a bow mountable portion capturable in a receiver or trailer portion have been described and illustrated in conjunction with a number of specific configurations and methods, those skilled in the art will appreciate that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the principles herein illustrated, described, and claimed. The present invention, as defined by the appended claims, may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The configurations described herein are to be considered in all respects as only illustrative, and not restrictive. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.