Abstract:
Systems and methods for attaching a vessel to a trailer. A system for attaching a vessel to a trailer having a winch tower includes an attachment device coupled to the vessel. A release mechanism configured to suspend the attachment device in a stand-by position. When activated, operable to release the attachment device, such that it engages the winch tower on the trailer, the result is the attachment device being in the engaged position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Boating is a popular industry in the United States. People own many different types of boats from pleasure craft to fishing vessels, and sail boats to large yachts. Only a small number of those people choose to keep the vessel moored on the water. Those people who choose to launch their vessel often times deal with long lines and lots of traffic. During the boating season a wait of three hours or more is normal. 
         [0002]    Currently in order to remove your vessel from the water, there are a number of steps a person must take in order to be successful. First the vessel is brought to a launch ramp and at least one individual disembarks from the vessel to retrieve a trailer. The vessel, after dropping its passenger, must be taken clear of the vessel launch ramp to allow others to drop off passengers. The vessel must stay offshore until the trailer is ready and submerged. Once the trailer is strategically placed in the water the vessel is guided near the trailer and at least two people attempt to attach the vessel on the trailer. These people usually get wet and must use excessive strength to ensure the vessel is correctly attached to the trailer. At the end of this process the fastest and most experienced people complete the process in ten minutes, where others take twice that time or more. This adds to the delay and creates a boat launch backup making boating less pleasurable. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Systems and methods for attaching a vessel to a trailer are disclosed herein. A system for attaching a vessel to a trailer having a winch tower includes an attachment device coupled to the vessel. A release mechanism configured to suspend the attachment device in a stand-by position. When activated, operable to release the attachment device, such that it engages the winch tower on the trailer, the result is the attachment device being in the engaged position. 
         [0004]    A method for installing a trailer attachment device on a vessel including securely coupling a vessel eye on a bow of the vessel. Attaching a removable attachment device to the vessel eye. Installing a release mechanism accessible from the vessel and detachably attached to the attachment device. 
         [0005]    A method for using a trailer attachment device on a vessel including activating a vessel attachment device such that the vessel is attached to the trailer and therefore removing the vessel from the water. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  shows a front view of an attachment device; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of the attachment device; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  shows a pictorial view of a vessel on a trailer; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  shows a vessel with a mounted attachment device in the stand-by position; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  shows the attachment device in the engaged position; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  shows the attachment device in the stand-by position; 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  shows the attachment device in the engaged position; 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  shows a front view of the attachment device in the engaged position; 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  shows a front view of the attachment device in a stand-by position; 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  shows a method of installing a attachment device; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  shows a method of using an attachment device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0018]    Systems and methods for retrieving a vessel from the water are disclosed herein. In typical operation, a trailer is backed into the water so that approximately two-thirds of the rollers or bunks are submerged in the water. The parking brake of the towing vehicle is set and the vehicle placed in park (or first gear if a manual transmission). The vessel is driven onto the trailer far enough so that the winch line can be attached to the bow eye of the vessel. The process is finished by pulling the vessel onto the trailer with a winch. Once the vessel is secured, the vehicle is used to pull the trailer out of the water and off of the ramp. 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  shows a front view of an attachment device  10 . In one embodiment the attachment device  10  is preferably constructed out of stainless steel but may also be constructed from any other suitable material. The stainless steel is constructed into two rods  14  and a first loop  12 . In one exemplary embodiment the rods  14  preferably are at least 7/16 inches thick for use with a three thousand pound vessel. It is envisioned that the stainless steel may be thicker for use with heavier vessels and may be thinner for lighter boats and other personal watercraft. The first loop  12  having a circumference and a diameter. The rods  14  are attached to the first loop  12  at a first end by a weld. The rods  14  are generally the same length and aligned such that they are parallel in relation to each other. At the second end the rods  14  are looped, forming a second loop  28 , and are capable of surrounding a clevis pin  26 , screw or other attachment device  10 . The second loop  28  at the second end preferably forms a ¾ inch eye capable of surrounding a ⅝ inch clevis pin. 
         [0020]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of the attachment device  10 . As shown above in  FIG. 1  the rods  14  are parallel and are preferably welded to the loop  12 . Also shown is the second looped feature  28  at the second end of the rods  14 . The rods  14  are configured to hold a clevis pin  26  that is inserted through both rods  14  at the second loop  28  in the second end. The pin  26  has an end with a hole through the body of the pin. That hole is configured to hold a snap pin  22 . The pin  26  also is configured to accept a washer  24  with an inner circumference equal to the circumference of the pin  26 . The pin  26  is secured by the snap pin  22  which allows for the attachment device  10  to be secured to a vessel. 
         [0021]      FIG. 3  shows a pictorial view of a vessel  32  on a trailer. The vessel  32  shown is a boat, but it is envisioned that it can be any type of water craft. The vessel  32  is mounted on a trailer having a winch tower  36 , and a winch unit. The trailer as shown is generally known in the art. The vessel has a bow with a typical configuration known in the art. On the bow of the vessel a vessel eye  42  is installed. The vessel eye  42  is installed by drilling a hole configured to accept a vessel eye  42  and securing the vessel eye  42  with the appropriate nut and washers to secure the vessel eye  42 . The installation is properly water proofed for use in the water and the vessel eye is of adequate size and weight for the intended vessel. 
         [0022]      FIG. 4  shows a vessel with a mounted attachment device  10  in the stand-by position. The vessel  32  has a vessel eye  42  and a winch tower  36 . The attachment device  10  is mounted on the vessel eye  42 , using the clevis pin  26 , washer  24  and snap pin  22  to secure the attachment device  10 . In one embodiment the attachment device  10  is held in the up position by an exposed rope or cable  44 . The cable  44  is secured on the vessel  32  or held taught by the operator until the vessel  32  having the attachment device  10  is aligned with the winch tower  36 . The cable  44  is then released such that the attachment device  10  falls and engages the winch tower  36 . In an alternate embodiment the attachment device  10  could engage any protruding part of the trailer strong enough to support the weight and or pressures of pulling the vessel out of the water without failing. 
         [0023]      FIG. 5  shows the attachment device  10  in the engaged position. The cable  44  as shown is released and the attachment device  10  has engaged the winch tower  36 . When in the engaged position, as shown, the vessel  32  will stay on a trailer and allow for movement out of the water. 
         [0024]      FIG. 6  shows the attachment device  10  in the stand-by position. The attachment device  10  is being suspended by a release mechanism, preferably a small hook  62 , installed above the vessel eye  42  and operated by a hidden pull cable or a solenoid device (not shown). A push-button switch wired to a power supply and wiring run to the solenoid located in a forward area appropriate to operate the pull cable. The small hook  62  allows for the release of the attachment device  10  from the stand-by position to the engaged position. The hook  62  can be released automatically when the vessel  32  touches a portion of the trailer or can be operated manually by an operator. 
         [0025]      FIG. 7  shows the attachment device  10  in the engaged position. As shown the attachment device  10  has engaged the winch tower  36  or any other protruding structure from the trailer strong enough to support the weight and or pressures of pulling the vessel out of the water without failing. As shown the hook  62  stays secured to the bow of the vessel. 
         [0026]      FIG. 8  shows a front view of the attachment device  10  in the engaged position.  FIG. 9  shows a front view of the attachment device  10  in a stand-by position. 
         [0027]      FIG. 10  shows a method of installing an attachment device  10 . At block  100  a vessel eye  42  is mounted on the bow of the vessel  32 . The vessel eye  42  is attached to the bow of the vessel  32  by drilling a hole and inserting the vessel eye bolt through the hole and secured with the appropriate nut and washer  24  combinations. At block  102  an attachment device  10  is attached to the vessel  32 . The attachment device  10  is attached with a clevis pin  26 , a washer  24  and a wire lock pin  22 . The clevis pin  26  is inserted through a second loop  28  of a first rod  14 , through the vessel eye  42 , and finally through a second loop of a second rod. The washer  24  is installed and the wire lock pin  22  is inserted through the hole of the clevis pin  26 . The attachment device  10  is locked into place. At block  104  a release mechanism is installed that is accessible from the vessel  32  and detachably attached to the attachment device  10 . The release mechanism is installed above the vessel eye  42  and operated by a hidden pull cable or a solenoid device. A push-button switch wired to a power supply and wiring run to the solenoid located in a forward area appropriate to operate the pull cable. The small hook  62  allows for the release of the attachment device  10  from the stand-by position to the engaged position. 
         [0028]      FIG. 11  shows a method of using an attachment device  10 . At block  112  a vessel  32  is maneuvered onto an at least partially submerged trailer until the vessel  32  is sufficiently aligned with the trailer. The alignment of the vessel  32  to the trailer occurs when the vessel  32  is in contact with the winch tower  36  and the mid section of the vessel  32  running from bow to stern generally centered over the mid line between the front and the back of the vessel  32 . The vessel attachment device  10  is preferably suspended by a release mechanism that is controlled by an operator of the vessel  32 . At block  114  the vessel attachment device  10  is such that the attachment device  10  is engaged with the winch tower  36 . At block  116  the vessel  32  is removed from the water by a vehicle. The vessel is removed far enough out of the water for a user to attach safety devices without entering the water. 
         [0029]    In an alternate embodiment the attachment device  10  as shown in  FIGS. 1-2  can be used as a launching device. The attachment device  10  is attached to the vessel and engaged with a winch tower as described above. Then once the vessel is floating, the attachment device  10  is lifted and the vessel is released from the trailer. The trailer is moved from the water by the vehicle. 
         [0030]    While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.