Locking devices for boat lifts

Various security members for selectively preventing movement of a boat-supporting cradle of a boat lift system. In one form, each security member is structured to hang from a longitudinal support on the boat lift system and to operably move along the longitudinal support between an engaged position and a disengaged position. Each security member comprises a bracket structured to hold the cradle in a secured position when the security member is in the engaged position.

BACKGROUND

A boat lift system may be used to dock and store a wide variety of boats such as power boats, pontoon boats, sailboats, and personal watercrafts, for example. A boat lift system may include a cradle and a lift mechanism that affects movement of the cradle. The cradle may move upward and downward to lift and lower a boat held by the cradle relative to the surface of the water. Further, the lift mechanism may be controlled by a control system. The control system of the lift mechanism may be secure to prevent unauthorized use of the lift mechanism and subsequent unauthorized use of the boat held by the cradle. For example, the control system may be secure by requiring a key or access code for operation or by otherwise positioning the control system in a secure location such as a boathouse or garage, for example.

Some lift mechanisms for a boat lift system may include a cable that attaches to the cradle. Though the control system of the lift mechanism may be secure, an unauthorized user could sever the cable to drop the cradle and release the boat from the boat lift system. Additionally, environmental conditions may cause corrosion of the cable, which may similarly cause the cable to break and release the boat. When the boat is dropped into the water and released, the boat may sustain damages. Furthermore, the cable of the lift mechanism may be substantially flexible such that severe weather conditions, including strong winds, thunderstorms, and hurricanes, for example, may cause shifting of the cable and a corresponding shifting of the cradle and the boat held by the cradle. As the boat shifts, it may strike part of the boat lift system or another object or structure, which may cause damage to the boat.

Accordingly, it may be advantageous to provide a security member the restrains shifting of the cradle and/or the boat held therein during severe weather. Furthermore, it may be advantageous to provide a security member that holds the boat in the boat lift system despite severance of the lift mechanism cables. Additionally, it may be advantageous to provide a security member that prevents theft and/or unauthorized and/or unintentional release of a boat from a boat lift system. More generally, it may be advantageous to provide an improved security member for a boat lift system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments are described and illustrated in this specification to provide an overall understanding of the steps and uses of the disclosed devices and methods. It is understood that the various embodiments described and illustrated in this specification are non-limiting and non-exhaustive. Thus, the invention is not limited by the description of the various non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments disclosed in this specification. In appropriate circumstances, the features and characteristics described in connection with various embodiments may be combined with the features and characteristics of other embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of this specification. As such, the claims may be amended to recite any steps, limitations, features, and/or characteristics expressly or inherently described in, or otherwise expressly or inherently supported by, this specification. Further, Applicant(s) reserve the right to amend the claims to affirmatively disclaim steps, limitations, features, and/or characteristics that are present in the prior art regardless of whether such features are explicitly described herein. Therefore, any such amendments comply with the requirements of 35 U.S.C. §112, first paragraph, and 35 U.S.C. §132(a). The various embodiments disclosed and described in this specification can comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of the steps, limitations, features, and/or characteristics as variously described herein.

Various embodiments described in this specification are directed to a device for securing a boat in a boat lift system. One non-limiting and non-exhaustive application described and illustrated herein is a plurality of security devices for securing a boat relative to a boat lift system. However, it will be understood that the security devices described herein may be used in connection with any suitable boat lift systems. Furthermore, the security devices described herein can be modified, adjusted and/or scaled to fit various boat lift systems.

An aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a system comprising a boat lift system and security members. In various embodiments, the boat lift system comprises longitudinal supports and a cradle operably moveable upward to a lifted position and downward to a lowered position relative to the longitudinal supports. Further, each security member is structured to hang from a longitudinal support and to operably move along the longitudinal support between an engaged position and a disengaged position. In various embodiments, each security member comprises a bracket structured to hold the cradle in a secured position when the security member is in the engaged position.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a device for a boat lift system, wherein the boat lift system comprises a plurality of longitudinal supports and a cradle, and wherein the cradle is configured to move between a lifted position and a lowered position relative to the longitudinal supports. In various embodiments, the device comprises a plurality of security members positionable relative to the boat lift system. Further, each security member comprises a hooked portion and a bracket. In various embodiments, the hooked portion is structured to engage one of the longitudinal supports such that the security member hangs therefrom. Further, the hooked portion is structured to move relative to the longitudinal support to move the security member from a supportive position to a non-supportive position relative to the cradle. In various embodiments, the bracket is structured to hold the cradle in a secured position when the security member is in the supportive position.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method for selectively preventing movement of a cradle of a boat lift system that is operably moveable between a lifted position and a lowered position relative to longitudinal supports of the boat lift system. In various embodiments, the method comprises hanging a plurality of security members from the longitudinal supports in disengaged positions. The method further comprises positioning the cradle in the lowered position, moving a boat onto the cradle, moving the cradle upward from the lowered position to the lifted position, moving each security member along the longitudinal support from the disengaged position to an engaged position, and moving the cradle downward from the lifted position toward the lowered position. In various embodiments, a bracket of each security member holds the cradle in a locked position intermediate the lifted position and the lowered position.

Referring primarily toFIGS. 1-3, a security member50can prevent unauthorized or unintended removal of a boat18from a boat lift system20.FIGS. 1-3illustrate one form of a commercially available boat lift system. As the present Detailed Description proceeds, however, a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the various features and advantages of various security member embodiments disclosed herein may be effectively employed in connection with other commercial boat lift arrangements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. For example, the boat lift system20can include upright supports22, longitudinal supports24a,24b, and a cradle26. In various constructions, the upright supports22can be anchored in place by a foundation (not shown) below or above the surface of the water. In at least one arrangement, the upright supports22can be otherwise secured at the docking location such as anchored to a dock or the shore, for example. The boat lift system20can include four upright supports22that define the corners of the boat lift system20. For example, one upright support22can be positioned at each of the four corners of the boat lift system20. Referring still toFIGS. 1-3, the upright supports22can hold and support the longitudinal supports24a,24bof the boat lift system20. Each longitudinal support24a,24bcan traverse between two upright supports22on a side of the boat lift system20. In other words, a first longitudinal support24acan longitudinally extend along a first side of the boat lift system20and a second longitudinal support24bcan longitudinally extend along a second side of the boat lift system20. The first and second longitudinal supports24a,24bcan be parallel or substantially parallel and the second longitudinal support24bcan be laterally positioned relative to the first longitudinal support24a. Further, as shown inFIGS. 1-3, each longitudinal support24a,24bcan include two beams, one on each side of the upright support22. A fastener23can extend into and/or through the two beams of each longitudinal support24a,24band/or through the upright support22to secure the two beams of the longitudinal support24a,24bto the upright support22.

Referring still toFIGS. 1-3, the cradle26can be positioned between the parallel-positioned longitudinal supports24a,24b. As described herein, the cradle26can move between a lifted position and a lowered position relative to the longitudinal supports24a,24b. Referring still toFIGS. 1-3, the cradle26of the boat lift system20can include lateral members28and cradle members30. The lateral members28can laterally traverse the first and second longitudinal supports24a,24b. The lateral members28can be perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first and second longitudinal supports24a,24b. Further, the cradle members30can be parallel or substantially parallel to the first and second longitudinal supports24a,24b.

Referring still toFIGS. 1-3, the boat lift system20can include a lift mechanism36configured to move the cradle26between the lowered position and the lifted position. The lift mechanism36can include a motor42and a pulley system having a cable40and a pulley drum38. The cable40of the lift mechanism36can be a rope, a belt, or a chain, for example. The motor42can power the pulley system of the lift mechanism36to draw the cable40around or from the pulley drum38. In at least one embodiment, the controls (not shown) for the lift mechanism36can be secured to prevent unauthorized use of the lift mechanism and subsequent unauthorized use of the boat held by the cradle. For example, the controls can be secure by requiring a key or access code for operation. Additionally, the controls can be located in a secure location such as a boathouse or garage, for example, and can wirelessly communicate with the lift mechanism36. In various embodiments, the secure location can be locked to restrict access. When the security members50are in an engaged positioned, the security members50can operably hold the cradle26in a secured position, as described herein. The secured position can be between the lifted and lowered positions.

Referring primarily toFIGS. 4-7, a security member50can include a shaft52extending between a hooked portion60and a bracket70. In at least one embodiment, the security member50can be formed from metal such as aluminum or stainless steel, for example. However, the security members50may be formed from other metals or composite materials having sufficient strength to support the loads applied during use. In some embodiments, the various components of the shaft52, the hooked portion60and the bracket70can be welded together and/or connected using appropriate fasteners and/or other well-known techniques. The shaft52can be tubular and can have a rectangular cross-section, such as a shaft formed from a metal box tube, for example. The shaft52and/or other components of the security member50can be tubular or hollow to reduce the volume of material and the total weight of the security member50. When the shaft52is tubular, a plate53(FIGS. 4 and 5) can cover the end of the shaft52. In other embodiments, the shaft52can be partially, substantially or entirely solid and/or can have a polygonal and/or elliptical cross-section, for example. In other embodiments, the sides of the shaft52may remain open. In at least one embodiment, the shaft52can be approximately 121 inches by approximately 3 inches by approximately 3 inches, for example. The dimensions of the shaft52, as well as the other parts of the security member50described herein, can be adjusted and/or scaled to fit the security member50to various boat lift systems and are not intended to be limiting.

Referring still toFIGS. 4-7, the hooked portion60of the security member50can include a hook62, an upper gusset64, and blocks66. When the security member50is positioned relative to the boat lift system20(FIGS. 1-3), as described herein, the hook62can extend over and partially around the longitudinal support24a,24bto engage the boat lift system20. In at least one embodiment, the hook62can be formed from two sections of metal box tube that have been cut, mitered, and welded together at a right angle. In at least one embodiment, the first section can be approximately 14 inches by approximately 3 inches by approximately 3 inches, for example, and the second section can be approximately 9 inches by approximately 3 inches by approximately 3 inches, for example. When the hook62is tubular, a plate63(FIG. 4) can cover the end of the hook62.

The upper gusset64of the hooked portion60can extend between the shaft52and the hook62. The upper gusset64can support the hook62relative to the shaft52to increase the strength and durability of the security member50. In at least one embodiment, the upper gusset64can be a flat or substantially flat plate that is approximately 0.5 inches thick, for example. In at least one embodiment, the upper gusset64can be approximately 9 inches by approximately 0.5 inches by approximately 8 inches, for example, and can include an angled side. The block66of the security member50can be positioned within the hook62of the hooked portion60. When the block66is tubular, a plate can cover the end of the block66. When the security member50is positioned relative to the boat lift system20, as described herein, the block66can lift the hook62out of contact with any top-mounted equipment such as the lift mechanism36(FIGS. 1 and 3), for example. Referring primarily toFIGS. 4,5, and7, the security member50can have two blocks66in the hook62such that a pulley drum38and/or cable40can protrude between the two blocks66. One block66can be welded to the shaft52and a first section of the hook62and another block66can be welded to the first and second sections of the hook62. In at least one embodiment, the blocks66can be formed from a metal box tube and can be approximately 2 inches by approximately 3 inches by approximately 3 inches, for example. The exemplary dimensions of the hooked portion60of the security member50can be adjusted and/or scaled to fit the security member50to various boat lift systems and are not intended to be limiting.

As described herein, the security member50can be positioned relative to the boat lift system20such that the hooked portion60engages a longitudinal support24a,24band the security member50hangs from the longitudinal support24a,24b(FIGS. 1-3). Furthermore, the hooked portion60can be structured to move along or relative to the longitudinal support24a,24bto move the security member50from an engaged, or supportive, position to a disengaged, or non-supportive, position relative to the cradle26. In at least one embodiment, the hooked portion60of each security member50can slide along a top surface of the longitudinal support24a,24b. The hooked portion70can include a polymeric coating or pad (not shown) to reduce friction and ease movement of the hooked portion70along the longitudinal support24a,24b. The coating or pad can comprise polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) (Teflon®), for example. In various embodiments, a bottom surface of the block(s)66of the hooked portion70, which can come into contact with the longitudinal support24a,24b, can include a PTFE coating.

Referring still toFIGS. 4-7, the bracket70of the security member50can include a shelf72and a lower gusset74. When the security member50is in the supportive position, the bracket70can be structured to hold the cradle26(FIGS. 1-3) in a secured position, as described herein. The cradle26can rest on the shelf72of the bracket70when the cradle26is held in the secured position. In at least one embodiment, the shelf72can be formed from two sections of metal box tube that have been cut, mitered, and welded together at a right angle. In at least one embodiment, the first section can be approximately 10 inches by approximately 3 inches by approximately 3 inches, for example, and the second section can be approximately 9 inches by approximately 3 inches by approximately 3 inches, for example. When the bracket70is tubular, a plate73(FIG. 5) can cover the end of the bracket70. Furthermore, the lower gusset74can extend between the shaft52and the shelf72to help secure the shelf72to the shaft52. The lower gusset74can support the shelf72relative to the shaft52to increase the strength and durability of the security member50. In at least one embodiment, the lower gusset74can be a flat or substantially flat plate that is approximately 0.5 inches thick, for example. In at least one embodiment, the lower gusset72can be approximately 10 inches by approximately 0.5 inches by approximately 8 inches, for example. The exemplary dimensions of the bracket70of the security member50can be adjusted and/or scaled to fit the security member50to various boat lift systems and are not intended to be limiting.

Referring primarily toFIGS. 4 and 5, the hooked portion60of the security member50can extend from the security member50in a first direction X. In other words, the hook62can extend away from the shaft52in the first direction X. Furthermore, the bracket70of each security member50can extend from the security member50in a second direction Y. In other words, the shelf72of the bracket70can extend from the shaft52in the second direction Y. Referring still toFIGS. 4 and 5, the second direction Y can be rotationally oriented relative to the first direction X. For example, the second direction Y can be rotationally oriented approximately 90 degrees relative to the first direction X such that the axis defined by the hooked portion60is at a right angle or substantially a right angle to the axis defined by the bracket70.

Referring primarily toFIGS. 8 and 9, a security member150having a shaft152can be substantially similar to the security member50having the shaft52, which is described herein. Additionally, the security member150can have a handle180on the shaft152between the hooked portion60and the bracket70. The handle180can extend from the shaft152in a third direction Z that is opposite to or substantially opposite to the second direction Y (FIG. 8). In other words, the third direction Z can be rotationally oriented approximately 90 degrees from the first direction X (FIGS. 4 and 5) and approximately 180 degrees from the second direction Y. The handle180can provide a surface for a user to grasp in order to facilitate movement of the security member150relative to longitudinal support24a,24b(FIGS. 1-3).

Referring again toFIGS. 4-7, the shaft52of the security member50can have a fixed, non-variable length. Referring now toFIGS. 10 and 11, a shaft252of a security member250, which is substantially similar to the security member50, can have a non-fixed, variable length. The shaft252can include two components—a first component282and a second component284. The first component282can include the hooked portion60and the second component284can include the bracket70. Furthermore, the second component284can be structured to telescope or move axially relative to the first component282. In other words, at least a portion of the first component282can be hollow and can receive at least a portion of the second component284therein such that the first and second components282,284operably overlap. A plate253can cover the end of the hollow first component (FIG. 10). The second component284can slide inward and outward relative to the first component282.

Referring still toFIGS. 10 and 11, the security member250can further include a locking assembly285structured to secure the second component284relative to the first component282. The locking assembly285can include an opening286in the first component282and an opening286in the second component284. When the openings286of the first and second components282,284are aligned, a pin288of the locking assembly285can be positioned through the openings286to secure the first component282relative to the second component284. In at least one embodiment, the pin288can include a lock or detent287along the shaft of the pin288to secure the pin288in position in the openings286. The pin288can also include a pulling eye289to facilitate removal of the pin288from the openings286. Referring still toFIGS. 10 and 11, the first and/or the second components282,284can include a plurality of openings288arranged in a row. By increasing or decreasing the overlapping sections of the first and second components282,284, the length of the security member150can be adjusted. In at least one embodiment, a first component of a variable-length security member shaft can be positioned relative to a second component of the variable-length security member shaft by other well-known techniques such as a detent assembly and/or a threaded connection, for example.

Referring again toFIGS. 1-3, a plurality of security members50can be positioned relative to the boat lift system20to prevent unauthorized or otherwise unintended deployment of the cradle26. For example, the hooked portion60of each security member50can engage a longitudinal support24a,24bsuch that each security member50hangs from a longitudinal support24a,24b. Furthermore, in at least one embodiment, a single security member50can hang from the first longitudinal support24aand a single security member50can hang from the second longitudinal support24bsuch that only one security member50is positioned on each side of the cradle26. Referring still toFIGS. 1-3, two security members50can hang from the first longitudinal support24aand two security members50can hang from the second longitudinal support24b. In such an arrangement, two security members50can hang from each longitudinal support24a,24bbetween adjacent upright supports24a,24b. In other words, two security members50can be positioned on each side of the cradle26and four total security members50can be positioned relative to the boat lift system20.

As described herein, the security members50can move between the engaged or supportive position and the disengaged or non-supportive position. In the engaged position, the bracket70can be aligned with a lateral member28of the cradle26and can be structured to receive a portion of the lateral member28on the shelf72thereof. The bracket70of the security member50on the first longitudinal support24acan receive a first end of a corresponding lateral member28and the bracket70of the security member50on the second longitudinal support24bcan receive a second end of that same lateral member28. Referring primarily toFIGS. 1 and 2, the lateral member28can rest on the shelf72of each bracket70when the security member50is engaged with the cradle26in the engaged or supportive position. In the disengaged or non-supportive position, the bracket70can be misaligned with the lateral members28of the cradle26to permit the cradle26to be raised or lowered. In other words, though the cradle26can be lowered to and/or past the secured position, the bracket70will not engage or catch a lateral member28of the cradle26. In the disengaged position, the cradle26can move upward and downward past the bracket70without engaging it, and thus the cradle26can be lowered to the lowered position, for example, to place the boat18in the water.

Referring still toFIGS. 1-3, to dock the boat18in the boat lift system20, the cradle26can be positioned in the lowered position. The lift mechanism36can be used to draw the pulley cable40from the pulley drum38to lower the cradle26. Once the cradle26is positioned in the lowered position, the boat18can be moved onto the cradle26. The cradle members30of the cradle26can securely hold the boat18. In at least one embodiment, the cradle members30can surround a portion of the boat18such that the arrangement of the cradle members30can match or substantially match the form of a bottom portion of the boat18.

Once the boat18is securely held in the cradle26, referring still toFIGS. 1-3, the lift mechanism36can be employed to affect the position of the cradle26and the boat18thereon. The lift mechanism36can be used to wrap the pulley cable40around the pulley drum38to lift the cradle26from the lowered position to the lifted position. Once the cradle26is in the lifted position, the security members50can be moved along the longitudinal supports24a,24bfrom the disengaged position to the engaged position. The security members50can slide along the longitudinal supports24a,24b, for example, and a handle180(FIGS. 8 and 9) can facilitate movement of the security members50between the disengaged and the engaged positions. Upon positioning the security members50in the engaged position, the cradle26can be moved downward from the lifted position towards the lowered position. The lift mechanism36can be used to draw the pulley cable40from the pulley drum38to lower the cradle26. Downward movement of the cradle26can by limited by the brackets70of the security members50in the engaged position. The brackets70can receive the lateral members28of the cradle26to prevent the cradle26from lowering beyond the secured position. In other words, the cradle26can be held in the secured position, though the lift mechanism36can continue to draw the pulley cable40from the pulley drum38and attempt to further lower the cradle26. Slack may gather in the pulley cable40as the lift mechanism36attempts to continue lowering the cradle26after the cradle26has reached the secured position.

Referring still toFIGS. 1-3, when the security members50hold the cradle26in the secured position, the boat18can exert a gravitational force on the cradle26and a corresponding force among the hooked portions60of the security members50. The gravitational force exerted by the boat18can operably restrain movement of the security members50from the engaged position to the disengaged position. In other words, the deadweight of the boat18can prevent disengagement of the security members50, and thus, lock the secured boat18in the boat lift system20. In at least one embodiment, a boat owner can turn off power to the lift mechanism36and/or prevent access to the lift mechanism control. Accordingly, the cradle26can remain in the secured position even if the pulley cable40is severed or broken.

To release the boat18, referring still toFIGS. 1-3, the lift mechanism36can be used to lift the cradle26upward from the secured position to the lifted position. The cradle26can be moved upward at least until it disengages the bracket70of the security member50. Once the cradle26disengages the bracket70, the security members50can be moved along the longitudinal support24a,24bfrom the engaged position to the disengaged position. The security members50can slide along longitudinal supports24a,24b, for example, and a handle180(FIGS. 8 and 9) may be used to facilitate movement of the security members50along the longitudinal supports24a,24bbetween the engaged and disengaged positions. Once the security members50are in the disengaged position, the cradle26can be moved downward from the lifted position to the lowered position, for example, to lower the boat18into the water. The boat locking and unlocking process described herein can be repeated as necessary to relock the boat after use and to re-unlock the boat for subsequent use.

Referring now toFIG. 12, a security member350can include a first component382and a second component384, similar to the security member250described in herein. The first component382can include the hooked portion60and the second component384can include the bracket70. Similar to other embodiments described herein, the hooked portion60can be structured to engage the longitudinal member24a,24band the bracket70can operably support the cradle26. A hinge390can hingedly connect the first component382and the second component384such that the security member350is structured to pivot or rotate at the hinge390. The security member350can pivot or rotate at the hinge between an engaged position and a disengaged position. When the security member350is in the engaged position, the bracket70can hold the cradle26in a secured position. Further, when the security member350is in the disengaged position, the cradle26can be moved to the lowered position. The second component384of the security member350can pivot upward to the disengaged position such that the bracket70moves out of alignment with the lateral member28of the cradle26. Further, the second component384can pivot downward to the engaged position such that the bracket70moves into alignment with the lateral member28of the cradle26.

The security member350can include a pulley system392to facilitate rotation of the security member350at the hinge390to move the security member350between the engaged position and the disengaged position. The pulley system392can include a sheave394and a cable396. The cable396can run through the sheave394and be secured to an eye bolt398in the second component384of the security member350. A force exerted on one end of the cable396can pull the cable396through the sheave394to pivot the second component384upward toward the first component382and to a disengaged position. In at least one embodiment, the pulley system392can include a cleat (not shown), such as a jamb cleat, for example, that holds the cable396in place relative to the sheave394. In such embodiments, the security member350can be held in the disengaged position when not in use. Alternatively, the second component384can fall back into the engaged position upon removal of the force to the end of the cable396. Additionally, a brace rod (not shown) can be positioned between the first components382of adjacent security members350to maintain the distance between the first components382when the second components384are pulled upward to the disengaged position.

In various embodiments, a system comprises a boat lift system and security members. The boat lift system comprises longitudinal supports and a cradle operably moveable upward to a lifted position and downward to a lowered position relative to the longitudinal supports. Each security member is structured to hang from a longitudinal support and to operably move along the longitudinal support between an engaged position and a disengaged position. Each security member comprises a bracket structured to hold the cradle in a secured position when the security member is in the engaged position.

In some of these embodiments, each security member comprises a hooked portion structured to engage one of the longitudinal supports to enable the security member to hang therefrom. In some embodiments, each hooked portion extends from the security member in a first direction, wherein each bracket extends from the security member in a second direction, and wherein the second direction is rotationally oriented relative to the first direction. In some of these embodiments, the second direction is rotationally oriented approximately 90 degrees relative to the first direction. In some embodiments, the boat lift system comprises a lift mechanism configured to move the cradle between the lowered position and the lifted position. In some embodiments, the longitudinal supports comprise: a first longitudinal support and a second longitudinal support laterally positioned relative to the first longitudinal support, wherein the cradle is positioned between the first and second longitudinal supports, and wherein at least one security member is constructed to hang from the first longitudinal support and at least one security member is constructed to hang from the second longitudinal support. In some of these embodiments, two security members hang from the first longitudinal support and two security members hang from the second longitudinal support. In some of these embodiments, the cradle comprises lateral members between the first and second longitudinal supports, wherein the bracket of each security member is configured to receive a portion of one of the lateral members.

In some embodiments, at least one security member comprises a variable length. In some of these embodiments, at least one security member comprises a first component, a second component comprising the bracket, wherein the second component is structured to move axially relative to a portion of the first component, and a locking assembly structured to secure the second component relative to the first component. In some embodiments, a gravitational force exerted by a boat positioned on the cradle operably restrains movement of each security member from the engaged position.

In some embodiments, a method for selectively preventing movement of a cradle of a boat lift system comprises positioning the security members relative to the boat lift system such that each security member hangs from a longitudinal support of the boat lift system, positioning the cradle in the lowered position, moving a boat onto the cradle, moving the cradle upward from the lowered position to the lifted position, moving each security member along the longitudinal support from the disengaged position to the engaged position, and moving the cradle downward from the lifted position to the secured position, wherein the bracket of each security member holds the cradle in the secured position.

In various embodiments, a device for a boat lift system comprises a plurality of security members positionable relative to the boat lift system The boat lift system comprises a plurality of longitudinal supports and a cradle, and wherein the cradle is configured to move between a lifted position and a lowered position relative to the longitudinal supports. Each security member comprises a hooked portion and a bracket. The hooked portion is structured to engage one of the longitudinal supports such that the security member hangs therefrom. The hooked portion is structured to move along the longitudinal support to move the security member from a supportive position to a non-supportive position relative to the cradle. The bracket is structured to hold the cradle in a secured position between the lifted and lowered positions when the security member is in the supportive position.

In some of these embodiments, the hooked portion of each security member extends from the security member in a first direction, wherein the bracket of each security member extends from the security member in a second direction, and wherein the second direction is rotationally oriented approximately 90 degrees relative to the first direction. In some embodiments, at least one security member comprises a handle between the hooked portion and the bracket. In some of these embodiments, the plurality of security members consists of four security members. In some embodiments, each security member comprises a hinge, and wherein each security member is structured to rotate at the hinge. In some of these embodiments, the device comprises a pulley system configured to rotate each security member at its respective hinge to selectively facilitate movement of each security member between the supportive position and the non-supportive position.

In various embodiments, a method for selectively preventing movement of a cradle of a boat lift system that is operably moveable between a lifted position and a lowered position relative to longitudinal supports of the boat lift system comprises hanging a plurality of security members from the longitudinal supports in disengaged positions. Each security member comprises a bracket. The boat lift system comprises longitudinal supports and a cradle operably moveable between a lifted position and a lowered position relative to the longitudinal supports. Each security member hangs from a longitudinal support of the boat lift system. The method further comprises positioning the cradle in the lowered position, moving a boat onto the cradle, moving the cradle upward from the lowered position to the lifted position, moving each security member along the longitudinal support from the disengaged position to an engaged position, and moving the cradle downward from the lifted position toward the lowered position. A bracket of each security member holds the cradle in a locked position intermediate the lifted position and the lowered position. In some of these embodiments, the method further comprises lifting the cradle upward from the locked position to the lifted position, moving each security member along the longitudinal support from the engaged position to the disengaged position, and lowering the cradle downward from the lifted position to the lowered position.

This specification has been written with reference to various non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments. However, it will be recognized by persons having ordinary skill in the art that various substitutions, modifications, or combinations of any of the disclosed embodiments (or portions thereof) may be made within the scope of this specification. Thus, it is contemplated and understood that this specification supports additional embodiments not expressly set forth herein. Such embodiments may be obtained, for example, by combining, modifying, or reorganizing any of the disclosed steps, components, elements, features, aspects, characteristics, limitations, and the like, of the various non-limiting embodiments described in this specification. In this manner, Applicants reserve the right to amend the claims during prosecution to add features as variously described in this specification, and such amendments comply with the requirements of 35 U.S.C. §112, first paragraph, and 35 U.S.C. §132(a).