Abstract:
A boat lift drive housing for containing a control box, electric motor and gear head for raising and lowering a boat lift. The housing includes front and rear coaxial openings for access to the gear head. The housing further includes an eyebrow cantilevered over an opening in the housing through which a key switch extends such that the key switch is protected from the sun, rain, snow and ice. The housing further includes a pair of bottom openings, with one bottom housing permitting access to a drive shaft of the electric motor and with the other bottom opening holding a tool for driving the drive shaft of the electric motor. The housing further includes a shape tailored to the control box, electric motor and gear head to minimize extra connections within the housing.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a boat lift drive housing having therein a control box, an electric motor and a gear head, where the housing enhances operation of each of the control box, electric motor and gear head by shielding the key switch of the control box from the elements, by storing a tool for operation of the electric motor at a weather proof location, by permitting access to the gear head from the front and rear of the housing to eliminate opening of the housing during set up, and by tailoring the housing to fit each of the control box, electric motor and gear head. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A boat lift drive is a mechanism for lifting up and letting down a boat lift. A hand powered winch is a common boat lift drive. A hand operated winch can be replaced by an electric boat lift drive. 
         [0003]    Whether powered by hand or by an electric motor, a boat lift drive is subject to the elements. It is rained and snowed upon. It collects ice. It stops the wind and the dirt in the wind. 
         [0004]    Whether powered by hand or by an electric motor, a boat lift drive is likely set up on a dock next to a boat lift. Usually the boat lift drive remains outside in the elements for its entire product life. It may break down. It may be replaced by a newer model. It likely remains in a permanent position next to the boat lift throughout the four seasons, even during winter. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    A feature of the present invention is the provision in a boat lift drive housing having therein a control box, an electric motor, and a gear head, of front and rear openings for the gear head such that the housing may remain closed during installation and such that, if desired, the boat lift drive housing can be easily deinstalled, with the housing remaining closed, such as during the winter months. 
         [0006]    Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a boat lift drive housing having therein a control box, an electric motor, and a gear head, of an eyebrow over the key switch that turns the boat lift drive on and off, such that the key switch is shielded from rain, snow, ice, the sun, the wind, and dirt in the wind. 
         [0007]    Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a boat lift drive housing having therein a control box, an electric motor, and a gear head, of a grip for a socket that can operate the boat lift drive in an emergency, where the grip is disposed at a location that minimally detracts from weather proof attributes of the boat lift drive housing. 
         [0008]    Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a boat lift drive housing having therein a control box, an electric motor, and a gear head, of a housing tailored to the inner contents of the housing to firmly hold in place the control box, electric motor, and gear head and to minimize extra connections within the housing. 
         [0009]    An advantage of the present invention is a longer product life. One feature contributing to this advantage is the provision of the front and rear openings that confront the gear head to permit installation without opening the housing, such that the front and rear housing portions need not be separated, such that a factory seal may be placed between the front and rear housing portions, such that the seal need not be broken, and such that a user does not tinker with the operating systems inside of the housing. Other features contributing to this advantage are the provisions of an eyebrow over the key switch, a first cover over the key switch, and a second cover over the first cover, such that collection of water, ice, snow, and dirt in the keyhole of the key switch is minimized. Another feature contributing to this advantage is the location on the bottom of the housing for a grip for a socket that operates the boat lift drive in an emergency, since the bottom of the housing is less likely to collect water, ice, dirt and snow. 
         [0010]    Another advantage of the present invention is safety. Since the boat lift drive can be installed and deinstalled without opening the housing, chances are minimized that a user will open up the housing. Thus, chances are minimized that the user will come into contact with the electrical system and gear system of the boat lift drive. 
         [0011]    Another advantage of the present invention is speed of installation and deinstallation. Since the housing does not need to be split apart, set up time and take down time is minimized. 
         [0012]    Another advantage of the present invention is that chances are maximized that the boat lift drive will work almost every time that the key switch is operated. A first feature contributing to this advantage is the eyebrow that operates as a shield. A second feature contributing to this advantage is the first key switch cover. A third feature contributing to this advantage is the second cover that covers the key switch cover. A fourth feature contributing to this advantage is the factory seal and the gear head access openings in the front and rear of the housing, such that the operating systems in the housing are minimally exposed to user intervention and such that the factory seal remains intact to keep out rain, ice, snow and dirt. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a boat, a boat lift, a dock and the present drive assembly housing having a drive assembly therein and being engaged to a winch box. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of the drive assembly housing of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0015]      FIG. 1C  is a perspective view of the drive assembly housing of  FIG. 1B  showing the drive assembly therein in phantom. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of the drive assembly housing of  FIG. 1A  showing a plugged annulus that forms an opening for access to the gear head drive shaft, an eyebrow for a key switch with the key hole cover being open, and a tool holder. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of the drive assembly housing of  FIG. 1B  showing an opening for access to the gear head drive shaft and a closed key hole cover. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3A  is a plan view of the drive assembly housing of  FIG. 1B  with a top half of the drive assembly housing having been removed. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3B  is a partially section, detail view of the plug for the gear head drive shaft opening shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . 
           [0020]      FIG. 4A  is a section detail view of the eyebrow covering the key switch and of the keyhole cover of the drive assembly housing of  FIG. 1B . 
           [0021]      FIG. 4B  is a section detail view of an added feature of the drive assembly of  FIG. 1B , where the added feature is a living hinge cover for the keyhole cover. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4C  is a section detail view similar to  FIG. 4B , but shows the living hinge cover for the keyhole cover swung back to an out-of-the-position. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4D  is a bottom view of the drive assembly housing of  FIG. 1B . 
           [0024]      FIG. 4E  is a section detail view of a tool holder mounted on the bottom of the drive assembly housing, with the tool holder holding a tool, namely, a bit for a drill, where the bit mates with the drive shaft of the motor. 
           [0025]      FIG. 5A  is a right side view of the drive assembly housing of  FIG. 1B . 
           [0026]      FIG. 5B  is a back view of the drive assembly housing of  FIG. 1B . 
           [0027]      FIG. 5C  is a top view of the drive assembly housing of  FIG. 1B . 
           [0028]      FIG. 6A  is a front view of the drive assembly housing of  FIG. 1B . 
           [0029]      FIG. 6B  is a left side view of the drive assembly housing of  FIG. 1B . 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the drive assembly housing of  FIG. 1B  about to be engaged to a winch box, shows how the front access opening to the gear head is exploited, and shows that a cordless drill may be used to turn a socket to turn the motor to turn the gear head to raise and lower the boat lift. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0031]      FIG. 1A  shows a boat  10  on a boat lift  12 . A portion of the boat lift  12  is released into the water and drawn out of the water by a electrically operated drive assembly  14  contained within a weather proof drive assembly housing  16 . Housing  16  is molded plastic. A winch frame  18  supports a winch box  224  that in turn supports the electrically operated drive assembly  14  and housing  16 , and the winch frame  18  in turn may be supported by a dock  19  and/or portions of the boat lift  12 . Portions of the boat lift  12  may be fixed and supported by one or more of the winch frame  18  and dock  19  and other portions of the boat lift  12  are movable, slideable or liftable relative to the portions of the boat lift  12  that are fixed. A cable extends between a spool driven by the electrically operated drive assembly  14  and portions of the boat lift  12  that are movable, slideable or liftable, and a pulley system may engage the cable between the spool driven by the electrically operated drive assembly  14  and the portions of the boat lift  12  that are movable, slideable or liftable. The cable is wound up onto and wound out from the spool driven by the electrically operated drive assembly  14 . The spool is turned by operating the electrically operated drive assembly  14 . 
         [0032]    As shown in  FIGS. 1C and 3B , the drive assembly  14  includes a control box  20 , a motor  22  and a gear head  24 . Control box  20  switches on and off motor  22 , which in turn drives gear head  24 , which in turn drives the spool in the winch box  224  to wind up and wind out the cable, which in turn lifts up and drops down the boat lift  12 . 
         [0033]    An electrical power cord  26  extends from outside the housing  16  through an opening  28  formed in bottom wall section  158  of housing  16 , with the opening  28  shown in  FIG. 4D . Within the drive assembly housing  16 , an electrical cord  30  extends from control box  20  to motor  22 . 
         [0034]    A U-shaped channel piece  32  is bolted to control box  20 . A metal strap  34  is engaged about U-shaped channel piece  32  and motor  22  to secure the control box  20 , motor  22  and gear head  24  together as effectively one-piece. 
         [0035]    Motor  22  has a cylindrical housing  36 . An upper end of the cylindrical housing  36  engages the gear head  24 . Electrical cords  30  extend through a lower end of the cylindrical housing  36 . A motor drive shaft  37  extends out the lower end of the cylindrical housing  36  for being engaged by a tool such as a drill bit shown in  FIG. 4E . 
         [0036]    Control box  20  includes a housing  38  that is generally parallelepiped or generally box-shaped or has six face portions. Each face portion extends at a right angle to four other face portions and is parallel to another face portion. 
         [0037]    Gear head  24  has a first generally cylindrical portion  40  that houses a gear head drive shaft that drives the winch drive shaft that drives the spool that winds the cable that lifts and lowers the boat lift  12 . Gear head  24  has a second generally cylindrical portion  42  that houses a worm gear that is driven by the motor  22  and that in turn drives the gear head drive shaft. 
         [0038]    As shown in  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B and  3 B, control box  20  is key operated through a key switch  44 . Key switch  44  includes a key hole  46  and a keyhole cover  48  swingable to a covering position that wholly covers key hole  46  and swingable to an out-of-the-way position that permits a key to engage key hole  46  and turn on and off the drive assembly  14 . Keyhole cover  48  is spring biased to the covering position such that when keyhole cover  48  is released, keyhole cover  48  automatically returns to the covering position. In other words, to permit a key access to key hole  46 , keyhole cover  48  must be held, such as by hand, in an out-of-the-way position. Keyhole cover  48  minimizes access to the key hole  46  by elements such as dirt, rain, water, dust, snow, ice, moisture, and the sun. Control box  22  is turned on by inserting a key into the key hole  46  and turning the key. Control box  22  is turned off by turning the key the opposite way to the off position (vertical position), whereupon the key may be withdrawn from the key hole  46 . Turning the key clockwise from the off position raises the boat lift  12 . Turning the key counter clockwise from the off position lowers the boat lift  12 . 
         [0039]    It should be noted that control box  20  includes a front generally flat face  50  and that key switch  44  projects outwardly from the flat face  50 , including the portion of the key switch  44  that forms the key hole  46 , and including the keyhole cover  48 . In other words, keyhole cover  48  includes a distal end portion  49  that is shaped in the form of a receptacle to receive therein outwardly projecting key hole  46 . The proximal end portion of the keyhole cover  48  is hinged to a base of the key switch  44 , with the base of the key switch being engaged to the control box housing  38 . The distal end portion or receptacle  49  includes a frustoconical portion. 
         [0040]    Control box  20  includes the electronics for controlling the key switch  44 , i.e., for communicating with the motor  22 , for turning the motor  22  on, for turning the motor  22  off, for turning the drive shaft  37  of the motor  22  one way, and for turning the drive shaft  37  of the motor  22  the other way. Control box  20  may also include the electronics for communicating with a wireless remote control, such that the boat lift  12  may be operated as one approaches the dock  19  in the boat  10 . 
         [0041]    Resilient bodies  52  of a gum, glue or adhesive adhere to cylindrical housing  36  and to control box housing  38  to isolate the motor  22  and control box  20  from the housing  16 . The bodies  52  are fixed on the front and back of the motor  22  and on the front and back of the control box  20 . If desired, the bodies  52  may also be fixed on the front and back of the gear head  24 . One body  52  may engage cylindrical housing  36  and the inside of the housing  16 . One body  52  may engage control box housing  38  and the inside of housing  16 . One body  52  may engage gear head  24  and the inside of housing  16 . Body  52  generally takes an irregular shape but may take the shape of a ball, sphere or disk. 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B,  1 C,  2 A,  2 B,  3 A,  4 D,  5 A,  5 B,  5 C,  6 A,  6 B and  7 , drive assembly housing  16  is formed of two molded plastic pieces: a first or front housing portion  54  having a front face and a second or rear housing portion  56  having a rear face. Each of the housing portions  54 ,  56  takes a receptacle shape. Each of the housing portions  54 ,  56  includes a depth. Each of the housing portions  54 ,  56  runs the entire height and width of the housing  16 . Each of the housing portions  54 ,  56  is one-piece and integral. Each of the housing portions  54 ,  56  is a piece of molded plastic. 
         [0043]    First or front housing portion  54  includes a lip  58  running the periphery of the front housing portion  54 . The lip  58  is formed of two integral sections: a base section  60  that extends out from housing  16 , and a distal section  62  that extends at an angle to base section  60  and that extends rearwardly of base section  60 . Lip  58  captures and receives therein a lip  64  running the periphery of the rear housing portion  56 . Lip  64  extends out at an angle from housing  16  and can be seen best in  FIG. 3A . A seal  66  is engaged between the lips  58  and  64  and runs the periphery of the housing portions  54 ,  56 . Seal  66  is resilient and is pinched between the lips  58 ,  64  when the lips  58 ,  64  and their respective housing portions  54 ,  56  are engaged to each other by pin connectors such as screws engaging peripheral openings  68 . As shown in  FIG. 3A , lip  64  includes a cutout  70  to improve access to motor drive shaft  37 . As shown in  FIG. 4D , the distal section  62  of lip  58  includes a cutout  72  to also improve access to motor drive shaft  37 . 
         [0044]    Two structural features minimize moisture and dirt penetrating between the lips  58 ,  64  of housing portions  54 ,  56 . The first structural feature is the L-shaped receptor formed by the intersection of the base section  60  of lip  58  and the distal section  62  of lip  58 . This L-shaped receptor receives the outer edge of the lip  64  and tucks the lip  64  into the lip  58 . The outer edge of lip  64  abuts the distal section  62  of lip  58 . The second structural feature that minimizes moisture and dirty moisture seeping between the lips  58  and  64  is the seal  66  pinched between flat base section  60  and flat lip  64 . 
         [0045]    Each of the cutouts  70 ,  72  confronts an opening  74 . Opening  74  is formed in bottom wall section  158  of rear housing portion  56 . Opening  74  permits access to motor drive shaft  37  by a tool or drill bit  76  shown in  FIG. 4E . Opening  74  is generally square with rounded corners. Opening  74  has a center or axis that is aligned with the axis of the motor drive shaft  37 . Opening  74  confronts the end of drive shaft  37  of electric motor  22 . 
         [0046]    Each of openings  28  and  74  are formed totally within rear housing portion  56 . That is, no portion of opening  28  or opening  74  is formed by front housing portion  54 . 
         [0047]    Front housing portion  54  includes a flat bottom wall section  80 , a cylindrical wall section  82 , a flat front section  84 , a raised front section  86 , an intermediate section  90 , an eyebrow  98 , a right sidewall section  110 , a gear head section  112  having a flat section  114  and an annular section  116 , a strip section  118 , a left upper sidewall section  120 , a right upper sidewall section  122 , a right medial sidewall section  124 , a recessed wall portion  126 , a recessed wall portion  128 , a left medial wall section  130 , and an upper wall section  134 . 
         [0048]    In the description below, the “z” direction is a direction that runs forwardly and rearwardly, the “x” direction is a lateral direction that runs right and left, and the “y” direction is a longitudinal direction that runs vertically or upwardly and downwardly. 
         [0049]    Flat section or bottom  80  confronts the flat lower end of the motor  22  and the lower end of the control box  20 . Flat bottom wall section  80  extends obliquely outwardly from flat section or floor  88 , as shown in  FIG. 5A . Flat bottom wall section  80  extends in the x direction from cylindrical sidewall  82  and recessed portion  126  to recessed portion  128 . 
         [0050]    Left sidewall section  82  confronts the motor cylindrical housing  36 . Left sidewall section  82  is cylindrical and leads into flat front section  84  in the x direction. Left sidewall section  82  leads into the lip base section  60  in the z direction. Left sidewall section  82  extends in the y direction from recessed wall portion  126  and flat bottom section  80  to medial left wall section  130  and left upper sidewall section  120 . 
         [0051]    Flat front section  84  confronts a portion of the cylindrical motor  22 . Flat front section  84  is disposed between the cylindrical left sidewall section  82  and the raised front section  86  in the x direction. Flat front section  84  is disposed between the flat bottom wall section  80  and the left medial wall section  130  and strip  118  in the y direction. The height of flat front section  84  is about the same as the height of cylindrical left sidewall section  82 . The flat front section  84  is generally rectangular in shape. 
         [0052]    Raised front section  86  confronts the control box  20 . Raised front section  86  extends laterally in the x direction between flat front section  84  and right sidewall section  110 . Raised front section  86  extends longitudinally in the y direction from bottom wall section  80  and recessed section  128  to the right medial section  124 . A base or floor  88  of raised front section  86  extends in a vertical x, y plane that is disposed forwardly of a vertical x, y plane in which flat front section  84  lies. The height of the raised front section  86  is slightly less than the height of flat front section  84  and the height of the cylindrical left sidewall section  82 . 
         [0053]    Raised front section  86  includes a stick on graphics sheet  92  having a generally rectangular border  94  and an opening  96 . Opening  96  surrounds the key switch  44  and further surrounds an eyebrow  98  that offers protection to key switch  44 . Eyebrow  98  is a part of the raised front section  86  and thus is a section of the front housing portion  54 . Eyebrow  98  is integral and one-piece with the housing  16 . Eyebrow  98  is molded integrally with front portion  54  of the housing  16 . 
         [0054]    Eyebrow  98  offers protection from the water, rain, ice, snow, the sun, dirt, mud and wayward swinging of paddles and fishing poles. From a front perspective, eyebrow  98  is U-shaped. Eyebrow  98  includes two feet  100 . From each of the feet  100 , eyebrow  98  extends upwardly and frontwardly to a ceiling section  102 . The front edge  104  of ceiling section  102  meets a vertical plane that is set forwardly of the front face of the keyhole cover  48  when the keyhole cover  48  is closed, as shown in  FIG. 4C . Eyebrow  98  further includes a pair of tapering edges  106 . Each of the tapering edges  106  runs from one of the feet  100  to the ceiling section  102 . The tapering edges  106  are disposed in a common plane and this common plane is disposed beyond the keyhole cover  48  such that the keyhole cover  48 , the key hole  46 , and the key switch  44  as a whole is set within the eyebrow  98 . Eyebrow  98  is integral and one-piece with the molded front housing portion  54 . 
         [0055]    Raised front section  86  includes an opening  108  through which key switch  44 , including key hole  46  and key hole cover  48 , extends. Opening  108  confronts key switch  44 , including key hole  46  and key hole cover  48 . Eyebrow  98  covers opening  108  and is cantilevered over opening  108 . A bottom edge of the opening  108  is generally at the elevation of the feet  100 . An upper edge of the opening  108  confronts the ceiling  102 . Side edges of opening  108  are between the tapering edges  106 . Side edges of the opening  108  taper downwardly and inwardly toward each other. 
         [0056]    Ceiling or roof  102  extends in the x and z directions. Triangular sides  132  of the eyebrow  98  run in the y and z directions. Junctions or corners between the roof  102  and the triangular sides  132  are rounded. 
         [0057]    Eyebrow  98  includes a depth. Key switch  44  extends forwardly out of the opening  108 . The depth of the eyebrow  98  at the ceiling  102  is greater than a distance that the key switch  44 , including the key hole cover  48 , extends forwardly out of the opening  108 . 
         [0058]    Intermediate section  90  is coplanar with flat front section  84 . Intermediate section  90  is extends in the y direction between raised flat section  86  and bottom wall section  80 . Intermediate section  90  extends in the x direction between flat front section  84  and recessed portion  128 . 
         [0059]    Right sidewall section  110  confronts the right side of the control box  20 . Right sidewall section  110  runs obliquely outwardly from flat section or floor  88  to lip base section  60 , as shown in  FIG. 4D . Right sidewall section  110  runs in the y direction from recessed wall portion  128  to right medial sidewall section  122 . 
         [0060]    Opening  108  includes a top and a bottom. The top of opening  108  confronts the ceiling  102  of eyebrow  98 . The bottom of opening  108  confronts the feet  100  of eyebrow  98 . The ceiling  102  of eyebrow  98  is disposed at an elevation greater than the top of the opening  108 . Sides  132  of eyebrow  98  depend from ceiling  102 . Each of the sides  132  includes a bottom or a foot  100 . The bottom or foot  100  of the sides  132  confronts the bottom of opening  108 . Sides  132  taper forwardly and upwardly from the bottom or feet  100  to the front edge  104  of the ceiling  102 . 
         [0061]    Gear head section  112  confronts the gear head  24 . Gear head section  112  includes a flat section  114  that is generally U-shaped and that lies in a vertical or x,y plane that is disposed rearwardly of the x,y vertical plane in which flat front section  84  lies. U-shaped flat section  114  partially surrounds a partially annular section  116  that projects forwardly of the U-shaped section  114 . Partially annular section  116  is tied to flat front section  84  by a strip  118  that is coplanar with flat front section  84 . Annular section  116  projects forwardly in the z direction of each of U-shaped section  114  and strip  118 . U-shaped section  114  leads into right medial sidewall section  124  on one side and leads into left medial wall section  130  on the other side. 
         [0062]    Left upper sidewall section  120  extends at a right angle from lip base section  60  to U-shaped section  116 . Left upper sidewall section  120  extends at an oblique angle from cylindrical wall section  82  to upper wall section  134 . 
         [0063]    Right upper sidewall section  122  extends at a right angle from lip base section  60  to U-shaped section  116 . Right upper sidewall section  122  extends at an oblique angle from right sidewall section  110  to upper wall section  134 . 
         [0064]    Left and right upper wall sections  120 ,  122  of front housing portion  54  taper toward each other such that sections  120 ,  122  taper inwardly and upwardly. Left and right upper wall sections  164 ,  168  of rear housing portion  56  taper toward each other such that section  164 ,  168  taper inwardly and upwardly. 
         [0065]    Upper wall section  134  extends at a right angle in the z direction from lip base section  80  to U-shaped section  116 . Upper wall section  134  extends in the x direction from left upper wall section  120  to right upper wall section  122 . 
         [0066]    Right medial sidewall section  124  confronts control box  20 . A main portion of right medial section  124  extends obliquely from lip base section  60  to raised front section  86  and runs obliquely relative to flat section  88  of raised front section  86 , as shown in  FIG. 5A . Another portion of right medial section  124  extends from U-shaped section  116  to raised front section  86 . A portion of right medial section  124  extends from upper right sidewall section  122  to the right sidewall section  110 . Another portion of the right medial section  124  extends from strip  118  to the right sidewall section  110 . 
         [0067]    Right medial sidewall section  124  is L-shaped, with an x direction portion running from strip  118  to right sidewall section  110  and a y direction portion running from raised front section  86  to lip base section  80 . 
         [0068]    Recessed wall portion or first dimple  126  extends between cylindrical sidewall section  82  and bottom flat section  80 . Recessed wall portion  128  extends between bottom flat section  80  and right sidewall section  110 . Dimples  126 ,  128  provide a greater space on lip base section  60  for a pin connector hole  68  and a corresponding pin connector or screw. 
         [0069]    Second or rear housing portion  56  includes a receiver  136  for receiving and confronting the cylindrical motor  22 . Receiver  136  includes a first cylindrical section  138  having an axis extending in the y direction, a second cylindrical section  140  having an axis extending in the y direction, a flat section  142  in an x,y plane, a third cylindrical section  144  having an axis extending in the y direction, and a flat section  146  in an x,y plane and extending between the first cylindrical section  138  and the third cylindrical section  144 . 
         [0070]    Rear housing portion  56  further includes a flat section  148  for confronting the control box  22 , a flat section  150  for confronting the gear head  24 , a lowered flat section  152 , a left sidewall  154 , a right sidewall  156 , a bottom sidewall  158 , a medial sidewall  160 , a step  162 , a right oblique sidewall  164 , an upper sidewall  166 , a left oblique sidewall  168 , a transition section  170 , a left corner recessed portion  172 , and a right corner recessed portion  174 . 
         [0071]    Receiver  136  projects rearwardly from flat sections  148  and  150 . Receiver  136  is disposed opposite of cylindrical section  82 . Receiver  136  is also disposed opposite of flat section  84 . Receiver  136 , left sidewall  154 , cylindrical section  82 , bottom wall section  80 , and flat section  84  form a retainer or pocket for cylindrical motor  22 .  FIG. 2B  shows in phantom the location of the motor  22  within the housing  16 . 
         [0072]    An upper portion of the cylindrical section  138  extends from the left sidewall  154  in the z direction and then extends into the flat section  146  in the x direction. A lower portion of the cylindrical section  138  extends from the left sidewall  154  in the z direction and then extends into the flat section  142  in the x direction. 
         [0073]    Second cylindrical section  140  is disposed in the x direction between flat section  142  and a lower portion of the third cylindrical section  144 . The axis of the second cylindrical section  140  extends in the y direction. Second cylindrical section  140  is disposed in the y direction between flat section  146  and transition section  170 . 
         [0074]    Flat section  148  confronts the rear side of the control box  20 . Flat section  148  is generally rectangular. Flat section  148  extends in the x direction between the third cylindrical section  144  and the right sidewall section  156 . Flat section  148  extends in the y direction between the lowered (or forwardly placed) flat section  152  and the step  162 . Flat section  148  is opposite of raised front section  86  and runs parallel to flat section  88  of raised section  86 . Right sidewall section  156  of rear portion  56  extends obliquely outwardly from flat section  148 , as shown in  FIG. 4D . Flat section  148 , left sidewall section  156 , right sidewall section  110 , flat section  88 , and raised front section  86  form a retainer or pocket for the control box  20 .  FIG. 2B  shows in phantom the location of the control box  20  within the housing  16 . 
         [0075]    Flat section  150  confronts the rear of the gear head  24 . Flat section  150  is coplanar with flat section  148 . Sidewall sections  164 ,  166 ,  168  lead in the z direction to flat section  150 . Flat section  150  borders upper portions of cylindrical section  138 , flat section  146  and cylindrical section  144 . Flat section  150  further extends into flat section  148 . Flat section  150 , sidewall section  164 , sidewall section  166 , sidewall section  168 , sidewall section  120 , sidewall section  122 , upper sidewall section  134 , and flat section  114  form a retainer or pocket for gear head  24 .  FIG. 2B  shows in phantom the location the gear head  24  within the housing  16 . 
         [0076]    Lowered (or forwardly placed) flat section  152  is forwardly of flat section  148  to more distinctly form the pocket or retainer sections of rear housing portion  56  for the control box  20  and the motor  22 . Forwardly placed flat section  152  is set in an x,y plane that is forwardly of the flat section  148 , which is also set in an x,y plane. Motor receiver  136  projects rearwardly of the flat section  148  and of the flat section  152 . Forwardly placed flat section  152  extends in the y direction between flat section  148  and bottom sidewall section  158 . Forwardly placed flat section  152  extends in the y direction between cylindrical section  144  and right sidewall  156  and recessed section  174 . Forwardly placed flat section  152  is opposite of a lower section of raised section  86  and intermediate section  90 . Bottom wall section  158  of rear housing portion  56  extends obliquely relative to flat section  148 , as shown in  FIG. 5A . Bottom wall section  80  of front housing portion  54  and bottom wall section  158  of rear housing portion  56  make up a bottom of housing  16 . 
         [0077]      FIG. 1B  shows that the left sidewall section or cylindrical section  82  of front housing portion  54  is opposite of the left sidewall section  154  of rear housing portion  56 .  FIG. 1B  further shows that left oblique sidewall section  120  of front housing section  54  is opposite of left oblique sidewall section  168 .  FIG. 1B  further shows that upper sidewall section  134  of front housing portion  54  is opposite of upper sidewall section  166  of rear housing portion  56 . In like manner, right oblique sidewall section  122  of front housing portion  54 , shown in  FIG. 2B , is opposite of right oblique sidewall section  164  of rear housing portion  56 , shown in  FIG. 5B . Also in like manner, oblique medial sidewall section  124  of front housing portion  54 , shown in  FIG. 2B , is opposite of oblique medial sidewall section  160 , shown in  FIG. 5B . Medial sidewall section  160  runs obliquely relative to flat section  148 , as shown in  FIG. 5A . Also in like manner, oblique right sidewall section  110  of front housing portion  54 , is opposite of oblique right sidewall section  156  of rear housing portion  56 , shown in  FIG. 5B . Also in like manner, oblique bottom wall section  80  of front housing portion  54 , shown in  FIG. 2A , is opposite of oblique bottom wall section  158  of rear housing portion  56 , shown in  FIG. 5B . 
         [0078]    A tear drop shaped metal bracket  176  is anchored to the gear head  24 . Bracket  176  aids in the engagement of drive assembly  14  as a whole to winch box  224  of winch frame  18 . Flat section  150  is pinched between the gear head  24  and the tear drop shaped bracket  176 . Bracket  176  is rotatably engaged to gear head  24  via pin connectors  178  cooperating with concentric circular slots  180 . A gear head drive shaft extending in the z direction through gear head  24  is one connection to the winch box  224  of the winch frame  18 . Gear head drive shaft of the gear head  24  engages the exterior of the drive shaft of the winch box  224 . A safety bolt  218 , shown in  FIG. 7 , extends through gear head drive shaft and into the interior of the drive shaft of the winch box  224 . This safety bolt  218  is a second connection to the winch box  224 . Another pin connector extending in the z direction through distal slot  182  formed in a distal end of bracket  176  is a third connection to the winch box  224  of the winch frame  18 . Bracket  176  lies in an x,y plane. 
         [0079]    Housing  16  with drive assembly  14  therein is likely set outside in a position fixed to the winch box  224  of the winch frame  18  for its entire lifetime as a working product. Thus, housing  16  is subject to the elements such as the sun, rain, wind, dirt, ice and snow. Housing  16  best keeps its contents dry and clean if sealed at the factory. Housing  16  provides access to the gear head  24  at two locations: first, through the flat section  150  in the rear housing portion  56  and, second, through the annular section  116  of the front housing portion  54 . 
         [0080]    As to the rear housing portion location providing access to the gear head  24 , it should be noted that metal bracket  176  includes an inner circular edge  184 . This inner circular edge  184  is flush with a circular edge of a rear opening formed in flat section  150 . It should be noted that gear head  24  includes a gear head drive shaft receiver  186  that receives and drives the gear head drive shaft that in turn is engaged to the exterior of the winch shaft of the winch box  224  of the winch frame  18 . This rear housing location, namely the rear opening formed in flat section  150  having the edge that is flush with circular edge  184  of metal bracket  176 , provides access to the gear head  24 , and this access is available without opening up the housing  16 . This rear opening that is flush with circular edge  184  is coaxial with front opening  188 . This rear opening that is flush with circular edge  184  confronts gear head  24  and is coaxial with gear head drive shaft receiver  186  and the gear head drive shaft. 
         [0081]    As to the front housing portion location, as shown in  FIG. 2B , annular section  116  forms a front opening  188  confronting gear head  24 , gear head drive shaft receiver  186 , and the gear head drive shaft. Front opening  188  is coaxial with opening  186 , gear head drive shaft receiver  186  and the gear head drive shaft that is engaged in the gear head drive shaft receiver  186 . 
         [0082]    Front opening  188  is closed and sealed with removable lock cap plug  190 . Plug  190  includes a head  192  and a shaft  194 . Head  192  is of a greater diameter than the diameter of opening  188  and seals the front opening  188  when shaft  194  is snapped onto the edge of the annular section  116  that forms the front opening  188 . Shaft  194  is of a lesser diameter than the diameter of front opening  188 . To facilitate the snapping action to and from the front opening  188 , shaft  194  includes a resilient ring  195  running about the shaft  194  and spaced from the inner flat annular face of the head  192 . Ring  195  includes an outside diameter that is slightly greater than the diameter of opening  188  such that plug  190  is pushed with a snapping action into front opening  188 , with the ring  195  being compressed when pushed into and drawn out of the front opening  188  to provide the snap fit to the plug  190 . The exterior surface of the head  192  is spherical. 
         [0083]    When setting up the drive assembly  14  for the first time, the housing portions  54 ,  56  do not need to be taken apart, but can remain factory sealed to each other. This is so because plug  190  can be removed to allow aluminum lock cap  216  and safety bolt  218  to be inserted through opening  188 , where aluminum lock cap  216  is engaged to the gear head drive shaft and where the safety bolt  218  is inserted through the gear head drive shaft and into the winch box drive shaft, as shown in  FIG. 7 . Then the plug  190  is snapped back onto the annular section  116 . The distance in the z or depth direction or axial direction between ring  195  and the underside of head  192  is about the same as the thickness of the housing  16  such that plug  190  fits tight on housing  16  with no movement in the z direction, or any other direction, when the plug  190  is engaged such that plug  190  seals opening  188 . 
         [0084]    Flat bottom wall section  80  includes a bottom housing opening therein and an elastomeric grip or trap or quick connect holder  196  engaged over and confronting the bottom housing opening with pin connectors fastened to bottom wall section  158 . Grip  196  is generally formed in the shape of a disk and includes a grip opening that communicates with the bottom housing opening in section  80 . Grip  196  holds tool  76  therein. Tool  76  includes a shaft  200  and a socket  202 . A drill such as a cordless drill engages the shaft  200 , and socket  202  engages motor shaft end  37  so as to drive the motor  22 , which in turn drives the gear head  24 , which in turn drives the gear head drive shaft receiver  186  and the gear head drive shaft therein, which in turn rotates the winch drive shaft and spool for lifting or letting down the boat lift  12 . 
         [0085]    Grip or trap  196  includes a set of resiliently flexible teeth  204 . Each of the teeth  204  is integral and one-piece with the resilient grip  196 . Each of the teeth  204  has a relatively wide base or proximal end and a relatively narrow distal end. Each of the teeth  204  has a pair of sides that taper inwardly toward each other from the relatively wide base to the relatively narrow distal end. The base of the teeth  204  define or confront a perimeter or circle or circular opening having a diameter greater than the diameter of the socket  202 . Grip  196  defines a circle of teeth  204 . The distal ends of the teeth  204  confront each other and define an opening having a diameter less than the diameter of the socket  202 . The distal ends of the teeth  204  confront each other when the tool  76  is not engaged in the grip  196 . 
         [0086]    When the socket  202  is pushed into the grip  196 , the teeth  204  resiliently flex inwardly, i.e., bend backwardly and inwardly and upwardly into the housing  16 , as shown in  FIG. 4E . At the same time, the resilient teeth  204  as a whole squeeze against the metal socket  202 . At the same time, the teeth  204 , which are formed of an elastomeric or rubber or rubber like resilient material, provide a friction fit for the socket  202 . Then the tool  76  can be released and the grip  196  holds the tool  76  against the force of gravity. To take the tool  76  out of the grip  196 , the tool  76  is pulled downwardly. The teeth  204  resist the downward pull, but resiliently flex and turn outwardly, as shown in  FIG. 2A , which permit the tool  76  to be fully pulled out of the grip  196 . When the tool  76  is held in the grip  196 , the tool  76  extends through the grip opening of the grip  196  and through the bottom housing opening in section  80  over which the grip  196  is fastened. When the tool  76  is held in the grip  196 , a portion of the tool  76  is within the housing  16  and a portion of the tool  76  is outside of the housing  16  and visible to the user. 
         [0087]      FIG. 4A  shows the swinging action of keyhole cover  48 .  FIGS. 4B and 4C  show a supplemental keyhole cover  206 . Supplemental cover  206  includes a living hinge  208  anchored in a hole formed underneath eyebrow  98  and extending from inside of housing  16  to outside housing  16  to a location beneath eyebrow  98 , where the living hinge  208  is engaged to a receptacle shaped cover  210 . In other words, by being receptacle-shaped, cover  210  includes a top  212  and an endless sidewall  214  such that, if turned right side up, cover  210  could hold water. As shown in  FIG. 4   b , unlike key hole cover  48  that returns to a closed position on top of control box  20 , opening cover  210  resiliently returns to a closed position outside of opening  108  such that the endless sidewall  214  confronts raised front section  86 . In other words, the width and height of opening cover  210  are greater than the width and height of opening  108  so as to minimize water, snow, dirt and other elements from passing into housing  16 . Living hinge  208  is resiliently biased to the closed position shown in  FIG. 4B . In the open position, cover  206  permits access to cover  48 , as shown in  FIG. 4C . Opening cover  210  extends over opening  108  and over key switch  44  and key hole  46  to protect the opening  108  and the key switch  44  and key hole  46  from the sun, water, rain, ice and snow. 
         [0088]    Gear head  24  includes the gear head drive shaft. The gear head drive shaft is engaged by the gear head drive shaft receiver  186  of the gear head  24 . The gear head drive shaft is installed in the gear head  24  through the rear access opening formed in the rear housing portion  56 . The proximal end of the gear head drive shaft engages the outside of the drive shaft of the winch box  224  and turns the drive shaft of the winch box  224  that is shown in  FIG. 7 .  FIG. 7  further shows an aluminum lock cap  216  that is installed on the distal end of the gear head drive shaft. Aluminum lock cap  216  is installed on the gear head drive shaft through front access opening  188  of the front housing portion  54 .  FIG. 7  also shows a safety bolt  218  that extends through the aluminum lock cap  216  and further through the gear head drive shaft. The safety bolt  218  then engages the interior of the drive shaft of the winch box  224 . Safety bolt  218  is installed on (or through) the gear head drive shaft also through front access opening  188  of the front housing portion  74 . Element  220  represents the plug  190  described above.  FIG. 7  further shows a cordless drill  222  that engages the shaft  200  of tool  76 . Tool  76  has socket  202  that engages the motor drive shaft  37  of motor  22 . 
         [0089]    The Gargaro, III et al. U.S. Pat. No. 7,784,767 B2 issued Aug. 31, 2010 and entitled Boat Lift Drive is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
         [0090]    Thus since the invention disclosed herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or general characteristics thereof, some of which forms have been indicated, the embodiments described herein are to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is to be indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalents of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.