Patent Publication Number: US-10315739-B1

Title: Kayak dolly-lift system

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This non-provisional application is based upon and claims priority of Provisional Application No. 62/541,959 filed Aug. 7, 2017, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field Of The Invention 
     The present invention relates to a kayak dolly-lift system and more particularly pertains to transporting a kayak, and then launching, and retrieving a kayak with its occupant in a safe, convenient, and economical manner. 
     Description of the Prior Art 
     The use of kayak handling systems of known designs and configurations is known in the prior art. More specifically, kayak handling systems of known designs and configurations previously devised and utilized for the purpose of transporting, launching and retrieving kayaks are known to consist basically of familiar, expected, and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which has been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. 
     While known devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, they do not describe a kayak dolly-lift system that allows for transporting a kayak, and then launching, and retrieving a kayak with its occupant in a safe, convenient, and economical manner. 
     In this respect, the kayak dolly-lift system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of transporting a kayak, and then launching, and retrieving a kayak with its occupant in a safe, convenient, and economical manner. 
     Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved kayak dolly-lift system which can be used for transporting a kayak, and then launching, and retrieving a kayak with its occupant in a safe, convenient, and economical manner. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the disadvantages inherent in the known types of kayak handling systems of known designs and configurations now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved kayak dolly-lift system. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved kayak dolly-lift system and method which has all the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages. 
     To attain this, from a broad perspective, first provided is a dolly-lift. The dolly-lift includes two drop tubes and two case tubes. Each case tube is adapted to slidably receive an associated drop tube. A sub-structure below the two drop tubes formed of two wheels and two side plates. Each side plate is adapted to pivotably couple an associated wheel with an associated case tube. A super-structure above the two drop tubes is formed of two wings. Each wing has a C-shaped configuration. The two wings have a first orientation parallel with the drop tubes for transporting a vessel. The two wings have a second orientation perpendicular to the drop tubes to support the vessel. The drop tubes are adapted to be rotated into a vertical position for launching and retrieving the vessel. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the invention be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved kayak dolly-lift system which has all the advantages of the prior kayak handling systems of known designs and configurations and none of the disadvantages. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved kayak dolly-lift system which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved kayak dolly-lift system which is of durable and reliable constructions. 
     An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved kayak dolly-lift system which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such kayak dolly-lift system economically available. 
     Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a kayak dolly-lift system for transporting a kayak, and then launching, and retrieving a kayak with its occupant in a safe, convenient, and economical manner. 
     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. 
     For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of a kayak dolly-lift system constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of the system taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevational view taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1  with the kayak rotated about 90 degrees. 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged showing of the system after turning the drop tubes about 90 degrees, from generally horizontal to vertical. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged showing of a roller assembly spanning an associated drop tube. 
         FIG. 7  a cross sectional view taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 . 
     
    
    
     The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various Figures. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIG. 1  thereof, the preferred embodiment of the new and improved kayak dolly-lift system embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
     The present invention, the kayak dolly-lift system  10  is comprised of a plurality of components. Such components are individually configured and correlated with respect to each other so as to attain the desired objective. In their broadest context such include a pair of drop tubes, two case tubes, a sub-structure, a turn cradle, and a super-structure. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the kayak dolly-lift system, designated by reference numeral  10 , first provided is a body of water  14 . The body of water has a bed  16  below and a waterline  18  above. A dock  22  has a support surface  24  horizontally disposed above. The support surface has a rearward end  26  and a forward end  28 . Pilings  30  extend downwardly from the support surface adjacent to the forward end and project into the bed. 
     Next provided is a dolly-lift  32 . The dolly-lift includes two drop tubes  34  which are parallel, laterally spaced, and generally horizontally disposed. Each drop tube has a distal end  36  located adjacent to the forward end of the dock and a proximal end  38  located adjacent to the rearward end of the dock. Two vertical supports  40  are positioned adjacent to the proximal end of each drop tube. The vertical supports have a length configured to contact the support surface when the two drop tubes are in a horizontal position. Each drop tube further has a cylindrical plate  42  adjacent to the distal end. Two case tubes  44  are adapted to slidably receive an associated drop tube. Each case tube has a locking pin  46  to disable the associated drop tube movement. 
     Further provided is a sub-structure  48  below the drop tubes. The sub-structure is formed of two wheels  50  and two side plates  52 . Each wheel has a horizontal axis and a preferred 20 inch diameter plus or minus 20 percent. Each side plate is adapted to pivotably couple an associated wheel with an associated case tube. An upper bracket  54  and a lower bracket  56  laterally connect both side plates. Two lower arms  58  each have a top end  60  and a bottom end  62 . The top end of each lower arm is pivotably coupled to the horizontal axis of an associated wheel. The bottom of each lower arm is adapted to couple with the support surface of the dock. Two extendable gas springs  64  are adapted to operatively couple the bottom end of an associated lower arm with an associated side plate. 
     A turn cradle  66  is provided next. The turn cradle has a lower frame  68  and an upper frame  70 . The lower frame is adapted to cradle both of the drop tubes and provide longitudinal movement. The upper frame adapted to support the kayak. A spindle  72  is positioned between the upper frame and the lower frame. The spindle is adapted to allow rotational movement between the kayak and the two drop tubes. The turn cradle allows a user to move the kayak both longitudinally and rotationally along the drop tubes, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
     Next a super-structure  74  is provided above the two drop tubes. The super-structure is formed of two vertical members  76 . Each vertical member has a roller assembly  78  spanning an associated drop tube adjacent to the distal end. Each roller assembly has a plurality of rollers  79  positioned above and below an associated drop tube. Each vertical member has a forward member  80  extending rearwardly and downwardly in an arcuate configuration. The forward members are connected by a forward rod  82 . An upper and a lower cross member  84 ,  86  are adapted to couple each roller assembly together in a parallel position. The upper cross member has a substantially C-shaped configuration. 
     Further provided are two support straps  88 . Each support strap has a first end  90  that is coupled with a paddle hook  92  and secured to an associated vertical member. Each support strap has a second end  94  secured to the upper cross member respectively. 
     Two wings  96  are provided next. Each wing has a C-shaped configuration. Each wing further has a free end pivotably coupled to an associated vertical member. The two wings are positionable in a first orientation parallel with the drop tubes. In the first orientation, the two wings are laterally spaced from the kayak when the drop tubes are in a horizontal position for transporting the kayak, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In FIG.  3 , the two wings are positioned in a second orientation perpendicular to the drop tubes. In the second orientation, the two wings form a cradle for supporting the kayak thereupon when the drop tubes are rotated to a vertical position, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The vertical position is for launching and retrieving the kayak. 
     Further provided are two safety straps  98 . Each safety strap has a quick clip adapted to secure the dolly-lift to the dock. 
     Even further provided is a power assembly  100 . The power assembly is positioned between the upper and lower brackets of the sub-structure. The power assembly includes a winch  102 , a source of power  104 , a receiver  106 , and a cable  108 . The cable is adapted to couple the super-structure and the winch for lowering and raising the kayak. 
     Lastly provided is a remote  110 . The remote transmits a signal to the receiver to activate the winch motion. 
     As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.