Abstract:
A device for handling a load hoisted between two locations offset both vertically and horizontally is described. In particular the device is useful for transferring an outboard motor between an operating location on a dinghy and a storage location on a larger boat. The device makes use of existing lifting devices such as sail halyards and winches and provides both guidance and stabilization of the motor during the transfer.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. provisional application 60/861,305 filed Nov. 29, 2006. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A device for handling a load hoisted between two locations offset both vertically and horizontally is described. In particular the device is useful for transferring an outboard motor between an operating location on a dinghy and a storage location on a larger boat. The device makes use of existing lifting devices such as sail halyards and winches and provides both guidance and stabilization to the motor during transfer. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Large boats commonly tow or carry a smaller boat or dinghy for use as a tender to the larger boat and an outboard motor is commonly used as a means of propulsion for the dinghy. Usually when the larger boat is under way or the dinghy is otherwise not being utilized, most operators prefer that the outboard motor is removed from the tender and stored on the boat to minimize the risk of losing or damaging the outboard motor. Unfortunately, for many boaters and boats, various combinations of the weight of the outboard motor, obstacles such as rigging and railings, wave-induced motion of both vessels and/or the physical capabilities of the boaters can make any lifting of the outboard motor from the dinghy and the subsequent return of the outboard motor to the dinghy difficult. 
         [0004]    One solution to this problem is the use of a lifting device such as a crane or davit installed on the boat to provide the power or mechanical advantage for lifting or lowering the weight of the outboard motor. Such devices occupy space on the deck, railing or transom of the boat, and may impede the use of particular locations of the boat or simply detract from the aesthetic appearance of the boat. Moreover such systems may not be accommodated on some boats where the required deck or railing space is not available. Still further, such existing lifting devices often do not provide good stabilization of the outboard motor movement relative to the boat due to various factors including wave-induced motion of the boat. In this case, collision between the outboard motor and the main boat can result, causing damage to either or both. Further still, the costs of purchase and installation of such devices is elevated due to the mechanisms required and mechanical forces involved. 
         [0005]    There is also a significant concern for many boaters, particularly older and physically less-capable boaters, of recovering a person who may have fallen overboard at sea. For many man-overboard victims, either as a result of the time spent in the water and/or their physical limitations, they are incapable of assisting themselves when a recovery vessel has come alongside to retrieve them from the water. In these situations, the people on the recovery vessel must be able to lift a potentially incapacitated and very heavy person on board. Still further, particularly in rough seas, there is a significant risk of injuring the victim against the sides of the vessel. 
         [0006]    While many boats have existing hoisting mechanisms such as sail halyards and winches which can be used as a means for lifting or lowering a heavy load such an outboard motor or a person, the use of such systems on their own do not provide a means for controlling both the lateral and vertical movement of the load which will often result in an unsafe handling of the load. 
         [0007]    As a result, there has been a need for an improved system for lifting and controlling heavy loads onto boats and particularly, for ease of handling of outboard motors and other loads such a person who has fallen overboard. 
         [0008]    A review of the prior art reveals that various lifting systems have been designed and utilized in the past for boats for lifting and handling cargoes such as outboard motors as well as man-overboard recovery systems. For example, Forespar Products (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) market various davit lifting systems for outboard motors such as the Motor Mate™ system. As well, there are numerous man-overboard products on the market that aid in the recovery of a man-overboard victim. 
         [0009]    A review of the patent literature reveals U.S. Pat. No. 4,705,179, U.S. Pat. No. 5,020,708, U.S. Pat. No. 4,545,770, U.S. Pat. No. 4,545,559, U.S. Pat. No. 4,465,423, U.S. Pat. No. 4,232,627, U.S. Pat. No. 4,880,345, U.S. Pat. No. 5,590,618, U.S. Pat. No. 5,137,481, U.S. Pat. No. 5,297,835, U.S. Pat. No. 5,558,382 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,307 which relate to various outboard motor handling equipment. 
         [0010]    However, these systems do not provide simple but effective systems for controlling both the vertical and lateral movement of the load towards and onto the vessel. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    In accordance with the invention, there is provided a lightweight, inexpensive and compact lifting system that may be used in conjunction with existing lifting mechanisms to safely transfer both vertically and laterally a load onto and off a boat. 
         [0012]    In a first embodiment, the invention provides a lifting system for use with a boat for vertically and horizontally moving a load to and from a boat, comprising: a pivot arm having a cross member defining a free end and two legs for pivotable connection to a boat, the pivot arm operable between a lower position and an upper position; and, a load supporting system operatively connected to the free end of the pivot arm and for operative connection to a lifting line on the boat, the load supporting system operatively retaining a lifting hook for connection to a load, the load supporting system including a securing system for securing the lifting hook in close proximity to the pivot arm. 
         [0013]    In one embodiment, the lifting system includes at least one supporting line operatively connected to the pivot arm and the boat for supporting the pivot arm in the lower position. 
         [0014]    In a further embodiment, the securing system includes a catching hook operatively connected to the free end for supporting the lifting hook and load when the pivot arm is in a pre-determined position between the lower position and upper position. In another embodiment, the load supporting system is a strap having a one-way and releasable latch. 
         [0015]    In one embodiment, the system includes a pivot arm catch attached to the boat for releasably securing the pivot arms in the upper position. 
         [0016]    In yet another embodiment, the load supporting system is a strap and the load is an outboard motor, the lifting system further comprising a harness for supporting the outboard motor and wherein the harness, strap and lifting hook are arranged in order to allow rotation of the outboard motor to fit between the pivot arm legs in the upper position from induced torsional tension within the strap. 
         [0017]    The system may also include at least one elastic line operatively connected to the at least one supporting line for maintaining tension in the supporting lines when the pivot arm is in the upper position. 
         [0018]    In another embodiment, the system may be used as a man-overboard recovery system and include a harness or seat adapted for lifting a person from the water. 
         [0019]    In a more specific embodiment, the invention provides a lifting system for use with a boat for vertically and horizontally moving an outboard motor to and from a boat, comprising: a pivot arm having a cross member defining a free end and two legs for pivotable connection to a boat, the pivot arm operable between a lower position and an upper position; at least one supporting line operatively connected to the pivot arm and the boat for supporting the pivot arm in the lower position; a load supporting system comprising a strap operatively connected to the free end of the pivot arm and for operative connection to a lifting line on the boat, the strap operatively retaining a lifting hook for connection to an outboard motor harness having a handle, the load supporting system including a securing system for securing the lifting hook in close proximity to the pivot arm and wherein the securing system includes a catching hook operatively connected to the free end for supporting the lifting hook and load when the pivot arm is in a pre-determined position between the lower position and upper position and wherein the harness, strap and lifting hook are arranged in order to allow rotation of the outboard motor to fit between the pivot arm legs in the upper position from induced torsional tension within the strap; and, at least one elastic line operatively connected to the at least one supporting line for maintaining tension in the supporting lines when the pivot arm is in the upper position. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    The invention is described with reference to the figures wherein: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  is a diagram showing a side view of one embodiment of the invention installed on a boat and connected to an outboard motor on a dinghy; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a diagram showing one embodiment of a pivot arm with associated parts; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a diagram showing one embodiment of a lifting strap and lifting hook; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a diagram showing an example of an outboard lifting harness and handle for an outboard motor; 
           [0025]      FIGS. 5-17  are a series of diagrams showing the sequential movement of one embodiment of the invention during operation; 
           [0026]      FIG. 18  is a perspective diagram showing one embodiment of the invention in a raised position; 
           [0027]      FIG. 19  is a perspective diagram showing details of one embodiment of the lifting strap attachment, fairlead, catching hook and lifting hook with the invention in the lowered position; 
           [0028]    FIGS.  20 (A)-(F) are cross sectional diagrams showing the sequential movement of a lifting hook and catching hook in accordance with one embodiment of the invention during operation; 
           [0029]      FIG. 21  is a perspective diagram showing details of one embodiment of a lifting strap attachment, fairlead, catching hook and lifting hook in the upper position; and, 
           [0030]      FIG. 22  is a perspective diagram showing details of one embodiment of a lifting strap attachment, fairlead, catching hook and lifting hook in the upper position with the lifting hook lowered. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0031]    With references to the Figures, a system for easily and safely transferring a heavy load between two locations vertically and horizontally displaced from one another is described. More specifically, a system for effectively lifting a heavy load such as an outboard motor or a person to and from a boat is described. 
         [0032]    The following description is written in the context of a system for lifting an outboard motor between a storage location on a boat and an operating location on a dinghy. It is understood that the system may be applied to other objects as will be discussed below. 
         [0033]    System Overview 
         [0034]    As shown in the Figures, the system is used for transferring an outboard motor  1  between a storage location, typically an outboard motor bracket  5 , on a boat  2  and a dinghy  3 . The system makes use of an existing halyard or other lifting line  4  as well as an existing railing  6 , outboard motor bracket  5 , and outboard motor lifting harness  19  with handle  14 . 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the system includes a U-shaped pivot arm  7  having legs  7   a  and  7   b . Legs  7   a ,  7   b  are mounted to a boat  2  with hinges  8  such that the axes of the hinges lie on a horizontal line. The U-shaped arm is wide enough for an outboard motor  1  to pass between the legs. The legs are connected to the boat by hinges at the lower end of the legs of the pivot arm such that the pivot arm is able to rotate about a horizontal hinge axis near the mounting point. One or more restraining lines (or hinged rigid members, not shown)  15  are connected to the boat railing  6  or other structural member of the boat and to the upper end (or free end) of the pivot arm  7  to prevent the pivot arm from rotating below a lower limit determined by the length of the restraining lines  15 . 
         [0036]    A lifting line or strap  12  ( FIG. 3 ), is connected to a halyard  4  at its free end  12   a  and passes through a fairlead  18  on the free end of the pivot arm, through a second fairlead or bearing surface  13   a  on a lifting hook  13  ( FIG. 19 ) and its second end  12   b  is fixed to an attachment point  10  on the pivot arm. The outboard motor  1  is configured with a lifting harness  19  having a handle  14  that may be placed on the lifting hook  13 . 
         [0037]    The system is used to raise the outboard motor from an operating position on the dinghy to the storage location on the boat as follows: 
         [0038]      FIG. 5  shows the lifting device in the stored position on the boat and the outboard motor on the dinghy. As shown in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , the halyard  4  is first connected to the free end  12   a  of the lifting strap  12  and the halyard is paid out to lower the pivot arm  7  until the restraining lines  15  limit the downward rotation of the pivot arm  7  as shown in  FIG. 8 . As shown in  FIGS. 8-10 , further easing of the halyard allows the lifting hook  13  and lifting strap  12  to be lowered until the lifting hook  13  can be hooked onto the outboard motor harness handle  14 . Preferably, the motor harness handle of the harness is oriented to be generally parallel to the transverse (side to side) axis of the outboard motor. 
         [0039]    Tension on the halyard or lifting line  4  provides a lifting force on the lifting hook  13 , and outboard motor harness handle  14  and a downward force on the attachment point  10  of the pivot arm  7 . The downward force on the attachment point  10  maintains the pivot arm&#39;s position at the lower limit, while the lifting force on the outboard motor harness  19  raises the outboard motor vertically off the mounting point on the dinghy  3 . Depending on the orientation of the outboard motor  1  relative to the pivot arm, the lifting strap  12  will also exert a torsion force on the outboard motor harness handle  14  such that the outboard motor as it rises off the dinghy will rotate in order that the forward side of the outboard motor faces the boat  2 . That is, as shown in the Figures, if the dinghy is oriented at 90 degrees to the orientation of the boat  2  and handle  14  is parallel to the transverse axis of the outboard motor, the motor will naturally turn as a result of the 90 degree “twist” placed in the strap  12  when lifting hook  13  was connected to the harness handle  14 . 
         [0040]    Continued tension on lifting line  4  raises the outboard motor  1  until the lifting hook  13  meets the pivot arm  7 , as shown in  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 20(B) . 
         [0041]    As shown in  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 20(C) , once the lifting hook  13  meets the pivot arm  7 , and continued upward tension is applied to the halyard, an upward force is applied on the free end of the pivot arm which is greater than the downward force exerted on the attachment point  10 . As a result, the free end of the pivot arm  7  moves upward as the pivot arm  7  rotates about hinges  8 . 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIG. 13 , continued tension on the halyard line  4  raises the free end of the pivot arm  7  and outboard motor  1  in an upward and forward arc about the hinges  8 . In one embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 19-22 , the lifting hook  13  is designed to engage with a catching hook  9  attached to the pivot arm  7  such that during rotation of the pivot arm  7 , the lifting hook engages with the catching hook so as to transfer the load to the pivot arm at a predetermined position in the arc. This design ensures that at the upper positions of the arc, the load does not partially lower relative to the pivot arm as a result of decreased tension in the halyard as the load becomes increasingly supported by the pivot arm. 
         [0043]    Accordingly, in this design, as the pivot arm moves upwards, the lifting hook moves over the catching hook so that at the point where halyard tension becomes lower than the weight of the load, the lifting hook is lowered onto the catching hook ( FIGS. 20(D)  and (E)). 
         [0044]    As a result, continued tension on the halyard line  4  thereby causes the pivot arm  7  to pivot upward while the catching hook  9  remains engaged with the lifting hook  13  as shown in  FIG. 20(E) . 
         [0045]    A cross-brace  11  on the pivot arm  7  prevents the lower section of the outboard motor  1  from swinging into contact with the boat  2 , as shown in  FIG. 14 . The cross brace may be removable to enable other lifting functions to be performed as may be required. 
         [0046]    Continued tension on the halyard line  4  causes the pivot arm  7  to continue to rotate upward, lifting the outboard motor  1  until the pivot arm  7  meets the railing  6 , and/or the outboard motor  1  meets an outboard motor bracket  5  as shown in  FIG. 14  or a releasable clasp  50  ( FIG. 1 ). At this point the outboard motor  1  is suspended above the outboard motor bracket  5 . Elastic lines  16  are fixed at one end to the free end of the pivot arm  7  and pass below the crossbrace  11  and are fastened to slip rings  17  that encircle the restraining lines  15 . As the pivot arm rotates upward the elastic lines  16  contract, maintaining a small tension on the restraining lines  15  so that they are pulled taut along the pivot arm so as to prevent entanglement of the restraining lines  15  with other mechanisms, people or the boat. 
         [0047]    In addition, as noted, the pivot arm may positively engage with a catch mechanism  50  ( FIG. 1 ) mounted to the deck railing or other suitable attachment point to prevent the pivot arm moving backwards as halyard tension is released. The catch mechanism may include any suitable clasp mechanism that will automatically engage with the pivot arm as the pivot arm becomes vertical. 
         [0048]    In order to secure the outboard motor on a mounting bracket  5 , the operator may gently pull forward on the pivot arm  7  while gently reducing tension on the halyard line  4  and applying a small rearward pressure on the outboard motor to disengage the lifting hook  13  to from the catching hook  9  as shown in  FIG. 20(F)  and  FIG. 22 . Continued lowering of the halyard allows the outboard motor  1  to be lowered vertically onto the outboard mounting bracket  5  where it can be clamped in place for storage, as shown in  FIGS. 15-18 . In one embodiment, as noted above, the catch mechanism  50  may be used to prevent the pivot arm from swinging backwards. 
         [0049]    The system is used to lower the outboard motor from the storage location on the boat to the operating position on the dinghy by reversing the process as follows: 
         [0050]    As shown in  FIGS. 16 and 22 , with the halyard line  4  and lifting strap  12  loose, the lifting hook  13  can be lowered to engage with the harness handle  14  on the outboard motor  1 . As shown in  FIG. 20(F) , tension on the halyard line  4  causes an upward force on the outboard motor harness  14 , lifting the outboard motor  1  until the lifting hook  13  meets the catching hook  9 , as shown in  FIGS. 14 and 21 . Subsequent easing of the tension on the halyard  4  causes the lifting hook  13  to be pulled downward by the weight of the outboard motor  1  until the lifting handle  13  meets the catching hook  9  as shown in  FIG. 20(E) . 
         [0051]    The operator gently pushes backward on the free end of the pivot arm  7  and eases the tension on the halyard line  4 , causing the pivot arm  7  to rotate backward and downward, lowering the outboard motor  1  in a backward and downward arc as shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 . At this stage, if a catch mechanism  50  is employed, the operator releases the catch mechanism to enable the pivot arm to move rearwardly. At a point in the downward arc, the upward vertical component of the force exerted by the lifting line  12  on the pivot arm  7  reduces to less than the downward force on the pivot arm attachment point  10 , causing the free end of the pivot arm  7  to move closer to the lifting hook  13 , such that the catching hook  9  disengages from the lifting hook  13  as shown in  FIG. 20(D) . 
         [0052]    Continued easing of the halyard tension causes the pivot arm  7  to continue rotating downward and backward until the restraining lines  15  are taut as shown in  FIG. 11 . The resulting tension in the restraining lines  15  prevents any further downward rotation of the pivot arm  7 . 
         [0053]    Continued easing of the halyard tension causes the lifting strap  12  to run through the pivot arm fairlead  18  and the lifting hook  13  such that the lifting hook moves downward, lowering the outboard motor  1  to the dinghy. 
         [0054]    The operator then rotates the outboard motor  1  about a vertical axis to align the motor with the motor mount on the dinghy  3  as may be necessary based on the orientation of the dinghy. Continued easing of the halyard tension causes the outboard motor  1  to move downward onto the dinghy  3  as shown in  FIG. 10 . The operator then clamps the outboard motor  1  to the dinghy  3  and disengages the lifting hook  13  from the outboard motor harness handle  14 , as shown in  FIG. 9 , to complete the operation. 
         [0055]    In other embodiments, the pivot arms may be telescopic in order to minimize the vertical height of the pivot arms during storage or non-use of the system. 
         [0056]    In other embodiments, the system may utilize other systems for ensuring that the load does not separate from the pivot arm as the tension on the lifting line lowers in the upper regions of the lifting arc. For example, in one embodiment, the strap  12  may include a one-way lock system, such as a toothed camming surface that allows the strap to be tightened in one direction but that will prevent the strap from being loosened in the other direction unless the locking mechanism is released. Accordingly, in this embodiment, during operation, the strap would be fully tightened and secured during initial vertical lifting of the load with the pivot arm in the lower or upper position. After lifting or lowering, the operator would release tension on the halyard and release the locking mechanism to lower or otherwise release the load. 
         [0057]    In an alternate use of the system, the system may be used as an effective lifting system for recovering a man-overboard. For example, instead of a motor harness  19  being attached to the lifting hook, the operator can attach a manoverboard harness, seat or other suitable system for assisting a person to be recovered from the water. In operation, particularly in rougher seas, where a vessel may be being pitched around, the system minimizes the risk of the recovered person being hit by the hull of the vessel as the recovery vessel comes alongside. Moreover, the system further ensures that the man-overboard is recovered by lifting them through an arc rather than requiring the difficult lifting process of pulling them directly vertically from the water where they may be dragged against various outer structures of the vessel. 
         [0058]    The system may also be used for lifting other cargoes from a dock to the vessel with the use of other cargo harnesses. 
         [0059]    The system may be effectively incorporated as a retro-fit to existing deck railing or other support structures common on many types and designs of boats. Alternatively, the system may be specifically incorporated into the original equipment of a boat as understood by those skilled in the art. In one particular embodiment of the system, the system is integrated with a railing as a specific opening in the railing which is particularly effective when the system is used for man-overboard recovery.