ROLLER BUNK APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR WATERCRAFT TRAILERS

An adjustable roller bunk apparatus and system for use with different size watercraft trailers. The roller bunk system can adjust to fit on all size trailers, can also adjust positioning to receive different angled hulls of watercrafts and prevents torque on the roller bunk system generally caused as a result of a force applied by weight of a watercraft on rollers attached to a roller bunk.

Not applicable.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of this disclosure contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the photocopy reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure in exactly the form it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 C.F.R 1.71 (d).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIVE CONCEPT

1. Field of the Invention

The present inventive concept relates to an adjustable roller bunk apparatus and system for use with different size watercraft trailers. More particularly, but not exclusively, this inventive concept relates to an adjustable roller bunk apparatus and system for use with different size watercraft trailers which adjusts to all size trailers and eliminates torque caused as a result of the weight of a watercraft placed on rollers attached to the roller bunk system.

2. Description of the Related Art

In order to transport watercraft on land from one place to another and to place the watercraft into a body of water a trailer is commonly used. These trailers generally have a series of parallel bunks lined with carpet to secure and stabilize a watercraft on the trailer. The watercrafts are generally slid along these bunks until the watercraft is placed completely on the trailer and ready for transportation of the watercraft. Friction between the bunks and the hulls of the watercraft help keep the watercraft in place when backing down or pulling up from a ramp to the body of water. Rollers are commonly attached to the bunks to provide the ability to launch and retrieve a watercraft with respect to the trailer in any type conditions. When rollers are connected to the bunk it is important to keep the watercraft hooked to a winch line in order to control movement of the watercraft.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,893,828 by Godbersen discloses a boat trailer that uses a roller bunk apparatus having a pair of identical roller bunk units 22 each mounted on a side of a longitudinal axis of the trailer. Each of the roller bunk units 22 comprise an elongated tubular member 32 mounted by brackets 33 and fasteners 34 intermediate their ends to cross members 23 of the trailer. A plurality of roller units 49 are attached to the roller bunk units 22 via a respective arm 51 welded to an elongated tubular element 42,43 which nests on top of the elongated tubular member 32. Openings 36 are provided to attach the tubular element 42,43 to the elongated tubular member 32. With this configuration the bunk units 22 and rollers 49 are stationary on the trailer and cannot be adjusted for different size watercraft. Further, since the rollers units 49 are connected to the bunk units 22 by the respective U-shaped arms 51, when a heavy watercraft is placed on the rollers 49 a torque due to the weight of the watercraft is applied to the rollers 49 and arms 51 since there is no support under the rollers 49 to counter the force of the weight of the watercraft. Moreover, the rollers 49 do not adjust to the shape of a hull of the watercraft, and therefore the trailer with the bunk units 22 attached thereto can only receive a watercraft with a particular hull shape and length.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,592,694 by Johnson discloses a boat trailer 10 including a plurality of support members 43,43′ and 86,86′ that are mounted to respective cross bars 30 and 32. The mount members 43,43′ and 86,86′ must be bolted to the two cross bars 30 and 32, and therefore cannot be shifted forward or backward on the trailer to adjust for different size watercraft. In addition, this design requires a plurality of rollers 70 on each side of the mount members 43,43′ and 86,86′ in order to support a watercraft, where each of a plurality of pairs of rollers 70 must be provided on axles 65,66, which must be connected to a cross bar assembly 56 in a pivotal fashion to adjust to a hull of a watercraft. Accordingly, a significant number of rollers are required on a significant number of moving parts, including a plurality of rocker plates 55, a cross bar assembly 56, a plurality of spaced angle brackets 46, a plurality of axles 65,66, pivot bolts 67,68, etc.

Accordingly, there is a need for an adjustable roller bunk that can be attached to and unattached from any size trailer.

There is also a need for an adjustable roller bunk that can be adjusted forward and backward with respect to a trailer in order to balance any size watercraft on the trailer.

There is also a need for an adjustable roller bunk having a bracket that attaches to a trailer such that no torque is applied to rollers attached to the bunk.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIVE CONCEPT

The present general inventive concept provides an adjustable roller bunk system for use with different size watercraft trailers. More particularly, but not exclusively, this inventive concept relates to an adjustable roller bunk system for use with different size watercraft trailers which adjusts to all size trailers and eliminates torque caused as a result of the weight of a watercraft placed on rollers attached to the roller bunk system.

The foregoing and/or other features and utilities of the present general inventive concept may be achieved by providing an adjustable roller bunk system for a watercraft trailer, comprising: a pair of roller bunks each including a plurality of roller axles extending from one side thereof; a roller rotatably disposed on each of the plurality of roller axles; at least two torque prevention brackets slidably attached at a top portion thereof and at a first half thereof to each roller bunk such that a second half of each torque prevention bracket extends outward from the roller bunk in a same direction as the roller axles, each of the at least two torque prevention brackets including: an attachment device to slidably attach the roller bunk to the top portion and first half thereof; an extension member disposed at the second half thereof and extending from a bottom portion thereof, the extension member including a hole extending through a middle portion to receive a bolt therethrough; and a bolt extending through the hole in the extension member and configured to attach the extension member to an attachment member on a watercraft trailer.

In an exemplary embodiment, the attachment device of each torque prevention bracket is a U-bolt configured to fit over the respective roller bunk and bolt to the first half of the torque prevention bracket.

In another exemplary embodiment, the extension members of each torque prevention bracket can be aligned along a same line as the plurality of roller axles extending from the one side of the corresponding roller bunk such that a force applied to the rollers of each roller bunk will cause an equal and opposite force on the extension members by the attachment members of the trailer in which the extension members are fixed thereto.

In another exemplary embodiment, the roller bunks and torque extension brackets can be formed of steel or aluminum.

In still another exemplary embodiment, the roller bunks and torque extension brackets can be formed of a polycarbonate or fiberglass material.

The foregoing and/or other features and utilities of the present general inventive concept may also be achieved by providing a roller bunk apparatus configured to be attached to a watercraft trailer, comprising: an elongated roller bunk including a plurality of roller axles extending from one side thereof; a roller rotatably disposed on each of the plurality of roller axles; at least two torque prevention brackets slidably attached at a top portion thereof and at a first half thereof to the roller bunk such that a second half of each torque prevention bracket extends outward from the roller bunk in a same direction as the plurality of roller axles, each of the at least two torque prevention brackets including: an attachment device to slidably attach the roller bunk to the top portion and first half thereof; and an extension member disposed at the second half thereof and extending from a bottom portion thereof, the extension member including a hole extending through a middle portion to attach to a bunk attachment member of a watercraft trailer, the second half of the torque prevention bracket and corresponding extension member configured to be disposed in a same line as the plurality of roller axles such that the rollers and extension members along a same line in parallel with the elongated roller bunk.

In an exemplary embodiment, the attachment device of each torque prevention bracket is a U-bolt configured to fit over the respective roller bunk and bolt to the first half of the torque prevention bracket.

In another exemplary embodiment, the roller bunk and torque extension brackets are formed of steel or aluminum.

In another exemplary embodiment, the roller bunk and torque extension brackets are formed of a polycarbonate or fiberglass material.

The drawings illustrate a few exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concept, and are not to be considered limiting in its scope, as the overall inventive concept may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The elements and features shown in the drawings are to scale and attempt to clearly illustrate the principles of exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concept. In the drawings, reference numerals designate like or corresponding, but not necessarily identical, elements throughout the several views.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present general inventive concept, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. The embodiments are described below in order to explain the present general inventive concept while referring to the figures. Also, while describing the present general inventive concept, detailed descriptions about related well-known functions or configurations that may diminish the clarity of the points of the present general inventive concept are omitted.

It will be understood that although the terms “first” and “second” are used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. Thus, a first element could be termed a second element, and similarly, a second element may be termed a first element without departing from the teachings of this disclosure.

Also, when a part “includes” or “comprises” an element, unless there is a particular description contrary thereto, the part can further include other elements, not excluding the other elements.

Hereinafter, one or more exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive concept will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings.

Exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive concept are directed to an adjustable roller bunk system1000for use with different size watercraft trailers. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present inventive concept relates to an adjustable roller bunk system1000for use with different size watercraft trailers which adjusts to all size trailers and eliminates torque caused as a result of the weight of a watercraft placed on rollers1004attached to bunks1002of the roller bunk system1000.

FIG.3illustrates a roller bunk system1000according to an example embodiment of the present inventive concept. The roller bunk system1000can include a pair of elongated roller bunks1002that attach to any size and shape watercraft trailer used to transport watercraft on land, to place a watercraft in water and to remove a watercraft from water. The roller bunks1002can be formed of a metal material, such as steel, aluminum, or a rigid polycarbonate or fiberglass material. However, the roller bunks1002can alternatively be formed of any type of material that will withstand the weight of a watercraft while being sufficiently rigid to absorb bumps that a trailer in which the roller bump system1000is attached to encounter. The roller bunks1002can have a length which corresponds with a length of a hull of a watercraft in order to completely accommodate the corresponding watercraft thereon.

The roller bunks1002can include a plurality of rollers1004connected along a length of each roller bunk1002. The rollers1004are preferably equally spaced apart from each other along each roller bunk1002. The rollers1004can be formed of a hard rubber material which will flex sufficiently to easily allow a watercraft to roll along the rollers1004. Alternatively, the rollers1004can be formed of any material that will perform the intended purpose as described herein. The rollers1004can include an outer rubber material and an inner cylindrical metal portion to rotatingly attach to a roller bunk1002. Alternatively, the rollers1004can be formed on one single rigid material that will withstand the weight of watercrafts placed thereon.

FIG.4Aillustrates an exploded unassembled view of a roller1004and bunk1002according to the example embodiment ofFIG.3; andFIG.4Billustrates an assembled view of the roller1004and bunk1002according to the example embodiment ofFIGS.3and4A. As illustrated inFIG.4A, the rollers1004can include a hole1004aextending through a center thereof for connecting the rollers1004to the bunks1002. More specifically, roller axles1002acan be configured to extend from one side of each of the roller bunks1002to be inserted through a respective hole1004aof a roller1004to receive a respective roller1004thereon. The roller axles1002acan be welded at a first end thereof to the roller bunks1002. Alternatively, the roller axles1002acan be welded to an upper surface of the bunks1002or can be threaded through a center portion of the roller bunks1002. Preferably the roller axles1002aextend from a first side of a first roller bunk1002and a second side of the second roller bunk1002such that when the pair of roller bunks1002are aligned in parallel with each other the roller axles1002aand respective rollers1004on the first roller bunk1002and the roller axles1002aand respective rollers1004on the second roller bunk1002are facing each other. In other words, the roller axles1002aon the first roller bunk1002and the roller axles1002aon the second roller bunk1002will be pointing towards each other, as illustrated inFIG.3.

Still referring toFIG.4A, each roller axles1002acan include a pin hole1002bextending therethrough at a second end thereof to receive a pin1002a1therein. Once a roller1004is slid onto a respective roller axles1002athe roller1004can be secured onto the respective roller axles1002aby inserting a pin1002a1through the pin hole1002b. In order to keep each roller1004in a stabile position on the respective roller axles1002aa first washer1002ccan be secured onto the roller axles1002aadjacent to the bunk1002to stop the roller1004at a predetermined position on the roller axles1002a. The first washer1002cis preferably secured at a position on the respective roller axle1002asuch that the entire roller1004is able to slide entirely onto the roller axle1002awhile allowing the pin hole1002bto extend past the roller1004. After the rollers1004are slid onto the respective roller axles1002aa second washer1002ccan be slid onto each roller axle1002aprior to inserting a pin1002a1through a respective pin hole1002b. The first and second washers1002cact to prevent the roller1004from moving back and forth along the roller axle1002aand to keep the rollers1004at a fixed position on the roller axle1002a. Alternatively, other equivalent means can be used to secure the rollers1004onto each respective roller axle1002a.

As illustrated inFIG.4B, each roller1004will be secured onto a respective roller axle1002aonce the roller1004disposed between the first and second washers1002cand the pin1002a1is inserted through the respective pin hole1002b. The pins1002a1can be provided in the form of a cotter pin such that the pin1002a1will not slide out of the respective pin hole1002b. Alternatively, any type of pin can be used which will remain secured within the pin hole1002b.

Referring toFIGS.5A and5B, at least two torque prevention brackets1006can be slidably attached to each roller bunk1002. According to an example embodiment, a U-bolt1006ccan be used to attach each torque prevention bracket1006to a roller bunk1002. The two or more torque prevention brackets1006can be slid to any desired position along each roller bunk1002in order to be moved into contact with a respective bunk attachment member2002(seeFIG.7) provided on a trailer (not illustrated). Since various different trailers have different lengths and widths, and therefore also have bunk attachment members2002disposed at different positions on a trailer based on the lengths and widths of the trailer, the torque prevention brackets1006attached to the roller bunks1002can be slid along the bunks1002via the U-bolts until each torque prevention bracket1006is brought into contact with a respective bunk attachment member2002on a trailer, at which point the torque prevention brackets1006can then be attached to the bunk attachment member2002with a bolt1008and nut1008acombination (seeFIG.7).

Referring toFIGS.6A and6B, each of the torque prevention brackets1006can be configured to include a pair of holes1006bextending through a first half “A” thereof and a bracket extension member1006aextending from a bottom portion B thereof at a second half “B” thereof. The extension members1006aare configured to be attachable to a corresponding bunk attachment member2002(seeFIG.7) on a trailer by having a hole1006a1extending therethrough and a bolt1008(seeFIG.7) extending through the hole1006a1, where a nut1008acan be threaded onto the bolt1008to secure the torque prevention bracket1006to the respective bunk attachment member2002. The torque prevention brackets1006can be tilted to any desired angle with respect to the bunk attachment member2002(and trailer) by rotating the torque prevention bracket1006about the bolt1008. Once the roller bunks1002and rollers1004are tilted to the desired angle by tilting the torque prevention brackets1006in which the roller bunks1002are attached to, the torque prevention brackets1006can be secured in place by tightening the nuts1008aonto the respective bolts1008to secure the torque prevention brackets1006in place. The purpose of tilting the roller bunks1002and corresponding rollers1004is to provide a flat surface with the rollers1004for the hull of an intended watercraft to rest on.

The torque prevention brackets1006can be formed of steel or aluminum, or a similar type of metal that will withstand the weight of a watercraft, and will withstand the jarring that occurs due to a trailer riding along a bumpy road at high speeds. As stated above, each bracket extension member1006acan include a respective hole1006a1extending therethrough. Further, each bunk attachment member2002on a trailer can also include a hole extending therethrough. When the bracket hole1006a1in the bracket extension member1006ais placed adjacent to and aligned with a corresponding hole in the bunk attachment member2002of a trailer, the bolt1008(seeFIG.7) can be inserted through both the hole in a bunk attachment member2002of the trailer and the hole1006a1through the bracket extension member1006a. After a bolt1008is inserted through both the bracket extension member hole1006a1of the torque prevention bracket1006and the corresponding hole in a bunk attachment member2002of the trailer the corresponding nut1008a(seeFIG.7) can be threaded onto the bolt1008to secure the torque prevention bracket1006to the bunk attachment member2002of the trailer. Then, based on the angle of a hull of a watercraft to be placed on the rollers1004of the roller bunks1002, the nuts1008acan be loosened to tilt the torque prevention brackets1006and roller bunks1002such that the roller bunks1002and rollers1004will be aligned with the angles of the hull of the watercraft. Accordingly, the roller bunk system1000is adjustable to accommodate the shape and angle of any hull of a watercraft.

At the first side “A” of each torque prevention bracket1006can be provided a pair of U-bolt holes1006bconfigured to receive two respective ends of a U-bolt1006ctherethrough. Each U-bolt1006cis configured to fit over the roller bunk1002such that the ends of the U-bolt1006ccan be inserted through the U-bolt holes1006bon the respective torque prevention bracket1006to secure the roller bunk1002to the torque prevention bracket1006. Once the two ends of the U-bolt1006care inserted through the respective U-bolt holes1006bformed in the bracket1006a corresponding U-bolt nut1006clcan be threaded on each of the two ends of the U-bolt1006cto slidably attach the roller bunk1002to the torque prevention brackets1006. A washer can be slid onto each U-bolt end prior to threading the nuts1006clthereon to prevent the nuts1006clfrom unthreading from the U-bolt1006c. At this point the roller bunks1002are still adjustable with respect to the trailer since the roller bunks1002can be slid forward and backward between the U-bolt1006cand torque prevention bracket1006combinations and with respect to the trailer. Once the roller bunks1002are positioned at the desired location on the trailer the nuts1006clon the U-bolts1006ccan be tightened to secure the roller bunks1002in place with respect to the torque prevention brackets1006and the trailer. It is to be noted that the torque prevention brackets1006can remain slidably attached to the bunks1002prior to attaching the brackets1006to respective attachment members2002of a trailer, such that the roller bunks1002can be attached to a trailer and still remain slidable with respect to the torque prevention brackets1006in order to adjust the positioning of the bunks1002with respect to a center of balance of a trailer. For example, since a wheelbase on trailers are configured based on many different factors of a trailer, the bunks1002can be adjusted to correspond with the wheelbase of a trailer after the bunks1002are slidably attached to the trailer via the torque prevention brackets1006. As pointed out above, once the U-bolt nuts1006clare tightened onto the ends of the U-bolt1006cof each torque prevention bracket1006the roller bunk1002will no longer be slidable within the torque prevention brackets1006.

Referring back toFIG.5A, a top view of the roller bunk system1000according to the example embodiment ofFIG.3is illustrated. The position of the roller bunk system1000illustrated inFIG.5Arepresents a position where the pair of roller bunks1002would be fixed with respect to each other, onto a trailer. With this configuration it is to be noted that the bracket extensions1006aof each torque prevention bracket1006and the second half B of the torque prevention brackets1006will be disposed in an axial alignment A-A with the rollers1004.

FIG.5Billustrates a bottom view of the roller bunk system1000, according to the example embodiment ofFIG.3, also in a position where the pair of roller bunks1002would be fixed with respect to each other, onto a trailer. As pointed out above, the bracket extensions1006aof each torque prevention bracket1006and the second half B of the torque prevention brackets1006will be disposed in an axial alignment A-A with the rollers1004. More specifically, while at least two torque prevention brackets1006will be attached to each roller bunk1002(each torque prevention bracket1006being disposed between two adjacent rollers1004) the bracket extensions1006awill be positioned in the same line A-A as the rollers1004, while the bracket extensions1006aextend downward to a position lower than the rollers1004so that the bracket extensions1006acan be secured to a respective bunk attachment member2002of a trailer. With this configuration of the rollers1004and the bracket extensions1006abeing positioned along the same line A-A the weight of a watercraft placed on the rollers1004will create a downward force F (seeFIG.7), which will extend directly to the bracket extensions1006a, and as a result, this same force F will extend directly onto the attachment members2002of a trailer. In other words, the force F of a watercraft will be applied directly on the rollers1004, causing an equal and opposite force to be applied upward on the bracket extensions1006afrom the bunk attachment members2002of a trailer. As a result of these equal and opposite forces F no resulting torque will be applied to the bunks1002.

FIG.7illustrates a position of one of the roller bunks1002when fixed to a bunk attachment member2002of a trailer. As illustrated, since a downward force F due to the weight of a watercraft will be applied directly on the rollers1004, which are in vertical alignment A-A with the bracket extensions1006aof each bracket1006, no resulting torque will be applied to the roller bunks1002. In other words, as a result of the downward force F caused by the weight of the watercraft and the equal upward counterforce applied by the trailer at the attachment member2002no torque is applied to the roller bunks1002. Therefore, the pair of roller bunks1002, when attached to a trailer via the brackets1006, will be balanced on the trailer, resulting in little to no wear and tear on the roller bunk system1000.

The design of the roller bunk system1000according to the example embodiments described herein enables adjustments in both back and forth directions with respect to a trailer in which the roller bunk system1000becomes attached to, and also enables a tilting direction in both inward and outward directions to accommodate different shapes of hulls of a watercraft. More specifically, the roller bunk system1000can be tilted inward such that the pair of bunks1002and corresponding rollers1004can tilt inward towards each other by loosening the bolts1008connecting the bracket extensions1006ato the attachment members2002, and then the bolts1008can be tightened to secure the brackets1006in place with respect to the corresponding attachment members2002. Similarly, the roller bunk system1000can be tilted outward such that the pair of bunks1002and corresponding rollers1004can tilt upwards to create a flat bed-type base from a more flat hull of a watercraft by loosening the bolts1008connecting the bracket extensions1006ato the attachment members2002, and then the bolts1008can be tightened to secure the brackets1006in place with respect to the corresponding attachment members2002. Thus, all types of watercrafts, including ones with shallow hulls, deep hulls, and longer and shorter hulls can be accommodated by the roller bunk system1000according the present inventive concept.