Patent Publication Number: US-11661159-B2

Title: Buoyancy tank with integrated cylindrical structures

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/846,739, filed on Apr. 13, 2020, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to a buoyancy tank for a portable floatation apparatus which allows for the elevation of a watercraft out of a body of water, and allows for the safe and easy removal of the watercraft from the body of water by use of a boat trailer while being safe and easy to transport and store due to its portability and design. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Floatation apparatus have been and are used in a wide variety of applications, to selectively provide a predetermined amount of buoyancy in or for a multitude of objects. For example and without limitation, one type of floatation apparatus is adapted to elevate or raise a watercraft out of a body of water in order to conduct repairs on the hull of the watercraft, clean the hull of the watercraft, and store the watercraft above a water line to avoid hull damage (e.g., from ice during the winter). 
     By way of example and without limitation, previous methods and strategies for elevating a watercraft above a water line include physically removing the watercraft from the body of water, physically raising the watercraft out of the water with a mechanical raising assembly, and employing another individual, party, or company to elevate the watercraft. Each of the aforementioned methods and strategies for elevating a watercraft above a waterline has distinct and substantially similar drawbacks. 
     Removing a watercraft from a body of water has in the past either required physical strength to manually turn or “crank” a winch assembly to pull and secure the watercraft upon the boat trailer, or specialized heavy equipment. 
     Elevating a watercraft by placing the watercraft upon a mechanical raising assembly is undesirable in some instances because mechanical raising assemblies are often relatively expensive and non-portable. Mechanical raising assemblies are designed to be anchored semi-permanently to the bottom of a body of water, which necessitates an owned or leased permanent location in a relatively shallow body of water that many watercraft owners may not possess. 
     Employing another person or company to raise the watercraft using mechanical or other devices (e.g., using forklifts or cranes to pick up the watercraft for storage or repair) is a costly and continuing expense, and requires the watercraft owner to be limited by the hired person or company&#39;s time schedule. Employing other individuals to remove a watercraft from the water also necessitates bringing the watercraft to a particular location and/or requires the hired individual to bring relatively large machinery to the watercraft&#39;s current location. 
     There is therefore a need for a portable apparatus which may be employed to raise a watercraft above a waterline, and to allow safe and easy removal of the watercraft from the body of water, while being safe and easy to transport due to its portability. 
     There is also a need for a method for elevating a watercraft above a water line, and to allow safe and easy removal of the watercraft from the body of water which overcomes some or all of the previously delineated drawbacks of prior watercraft elevating methodologies and strategies. 
     There is also a need to allow for the easy storage of a watercraft, especially during the wintertime, as winterizing a watercraft can be a significant cost and burden on the owners of watercraft. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present embodiment of the invention is directed to provide a buoyancy tank designed with at least one integrated cylindrical structure for a portable floatation apparatus which may be employed to raise a watercraft above a waterline. The present embodiment of the invention is further directed to provide a buoyancy tank designed with at least one integrated cylindrical structure for a portable floatation apparatus which will allow for safe and easy removal of a watercraft from the body of water, while being safe and easy to transport due to its portability. The present embodiment of the invention is further directed to allow for the easy storage of a watercraft as the buoyancy tank designed with at least one integrated cylindrical structure which provides the necessary support to allow the watercraft to be stacked on top of the portable floatation apparatus while the portable floating apparatus is stacked on top of a boat trailer. This ability for easy and convenient storage is important in the wintertime, and it will allow a cost-efficient method of winterizing the watercraft. 
     Another embodiment of the invention is directed to provide a buoyancy tank designed with a plurality of integrated cylindrical structures for a portable floatation apparatus which may be employed to raise a watercraft above a waterline. The present embodiment of the invention is further directed to provide a buoyancy tank designed with a plurality of integrated cylindrical structures for a portable floatation apparatus which will allow for safe and easy removal of a watercraft from the body of water, while being safe and easy to transport due to its portability. The present embodiment of the invention is further directed to allow for the easy storage of a watercraft as the buoyancy tank designed with a plurality of integrated cylindrical structures provides the necessary support to allow the watercraft to be stacked on top of the portable floatation apparatus while the portable floating apparatus is stacked on top of a boat trailer. This ability for easy and convenient storage is important in the wintertime, and it will allow a cost-efficient method of winterizing the watercraft. 
     A first non-limiting advantage of the present embodiment of the invention is that the present embodiment of the invention provides a buoyancy tank designed with at least one and/or a plurality of integrated cylindrical structures which can be used as a component of a portable floatation apparatus and a method which allows for the elevating of a watercraft above a waterline in a manner which overcomes some or all of the previously delineated drawbacks of prior watercraft, specifically watercraft, elevating methodologies. 
     A second non-limiting advantage of the present embodiment of the invention is that the present embodiment of the invention provides a buoyancy tank designed with at least one and/or a plurality of integrated cylindrical structures which can be used as a component of a portable floatation apparatus which is adapted to elevate a watercraft and which is modular to adapt to various sized watercrafts. 
     A third non-limiting advantage of the present embodiment of the invention is that the present embodiment of the invention provides a buoyancy tank designed with at least one and/or a plurality of integrated cylindrical structures which can be used as a component of a portable floatation apparatus which uses compressed air to elevate a watercraft. 
     A fourth non-limiting advantage of the present embodiment of the invention is that the present embodiment of the invention provides a buoyancy tank designed with at least one and/or a plurality of integrated cylindrical structures which can be used as a component of a portable floatation apparatus which is stackable in order to reduce storage and transport space. 
     A fifth non-limiting advantage of the present embodiment of the invention is that the present embodiment of the invention provides a method for selectively and conveniently elevating a watercraft above a waterline. 
     A sixth non-limiting advantage of the present embodiment of the invention is that the present embodiment of the invention provides a buoyancy tank designed with at least one and/or a plurality of integrated cylindrical structures which can be used as a component of a portable floatation apparatus and a method which allows for the removal of a watercraft from a body of water in a manner which overcomes some or all of the previously delineated drawbacks of prior watercraft removal methodologies. 
     A seventh non-limiting advantage of the present embodiment of the invention is that the present embodiment of the invention provides a buoyancy tank designed with a plurality of integrated cylindrical structures which can be used as a component of a portable floatation apparatus and a method of storage in which the apparatus is stored and stacked on a boat trailer while a watercraft is stored and stacked on top of the apparatus. 
     An eighth non-limiting advantage of the present embodiment of the invention is that is that the present embodiment of the invention provides a buoyancy tank designed with at least one and/or a plurality of integrated cylindrical structures which can be used as a component of a portable floatation apparatus which is able to stack and interlock with a plurality of apparatus which enables the transportation of the apparatus at high volume. 
     According to an embodiment of the invention, a buoyancy tank is designed with at least one and/or a plurality of integrated cylindrical structures. The buoyancy tank is generally hollow. A pumping device can be used to displace a volume of air into the buoyancy tank which will cause the buoyancy tank to float in a body of water. Conversely, a pumping device can be used to remove a volume of air which will cause the buoyancy tank to sink in a body of water. The buoyancy tank can be used as a component of a portable floatation apparatus by use of connecting means. The integrated cylindrical structure(s) provides the necessary support to allow the safe and easy removal of a watercraft from the body of water by use of a boat trailer, as the integrated cylindrical structures will support the weight of the watercraft and the portable floatation apparatus and will prevent the collapse of the buoyancy tanks. Further, the integrated cylindrical structure(s) will further allow for the easy storage of a watercraft as the buoyancy tank designed with the cylindrical structure(s) provides the necessary support to allow the watercraft to be stacked on top of the portable floatation apparatus while the portable floating apparatus is stacked on top of a boat trailer. 
     According to a further embodiment of the invention, a method for elevating a watercraft above a water line is provided, the method comprising the steps of forming a floatation apparatus comprising a plurality of substantially identical buoyancy tanks with at least one and/or a plurality of integrated cylindrical structures, a plurality of substantially identical base portions, a plurality of conduits, a plurality of horizontal and vertical beams connected as a frame, a plurality of t-shaped support bodies, a plurality of hull supporting means having a concave top surface; providing a pumping device; coupling said pumping device to said conduits, coupling said conduits to the buoyancy tanks with at least one and/or a plurality of integrated cylindrical structures, and coupling the plurality of buoyancy tanks with at least one and/or a plurality of integrated cylindrical structures to said base portions, effective to form a floatation apparatus; placing said floatation apparatus beneath said hull portion of said watercraft; and causing said pumping device to displace a volume of air into each of said plurality of buoyancy tanks with at least one and/or a plurality of integrated cylindrical structures, effective to raise said watercraft out of said body of water. 
     According to a further embodiment of the invention, a method for removing a watercraft from a body of water is provided, the method comprising the steps of; forming a floatation apparatus comprising a plurality of substantially identical buoyancy tanks with at least one and/or a plurality of integrated cylindrical structures to support the apparatus in transport and storage, a plurality of substantially identical base portions, a plurality of conduits, a plurality of horizontal and vertical beams connected as a frame with a modular design which allows for lifting means to be installed to assist in storage and removal from boat trailer, a plurality of t-shaped support bodies, a plurality of hull supporting means having a concave top surface; providing a pumping device; coupling said pumping device to said conduits, coupling said conduits to the substantially identical buoyancy tanks with at least one and/or a plurality of integrated cylindrical structures, and coupling the substantially identical buoyancy tanks with at least one and/or a plurality of integrated cylindrical structures to said base portions, effective to form a floatation apparatus; placing said floatation apparatus beneath said hull portion of said watercraft; and causing said pumping device to displace a volume of air into each of the substantially identical buoyancy tanks with at least one and/or a plurality of integrated cylindrical structures, effective to raise said watercraft out of said body of water, providing a watercraft trailer; causing the watercraft trailer to be placed in the water under the raised floatation apparatus, preferably by use of a boat ramp; lowering the floatation apparatus by releasing said air contained within the substantially identical buoyancy tanks with at least one and/or a plurality of integrated cylindrical structures, effective to lower said watercraft onto the watercraft trailer, causing the boat trailer with floatation apparatus and watercraft resting on top of boat trailer, to be removed from the water, preferably by use of a boat ramp. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective assembled view of a buoyancy tanks with a plurality of integrated cylindrical structures with a base support and a plurality of supporting T-structures. 
         FIG.  2    is a cross sectional view of a buoyancy tanks with a plurality of integrated cylindrical structures with a base support and a plurality of supporting T-structures. The cross sectional shows the integrated cylindrical structure. 
         FIG.  3    is a side view of a cross sectional view of a buoyancy tanks with a plurality of integrated cylindrical structures with a base support and a plurality of supporting T-structures. The cross sectional shows the integrated cylindrical structure. 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective assembled view of a buoyancy tanks with a plurality of integrated cylindrical structures with a base support and a plurality of supporting T-structures. This view is from the bottom of the buoyancy tank. 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of a watercraft stacked on top of a boat lift with a plurality of buoyancy tanks with a plurality of integrated cylindrical structures, with the boat lift stacked on top of a boat trailer. 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view of a watercraft stacked on top of a boat lift with a plurality of buoyancy tanks with a plurality of integrated cylindrical structures. 
         FIG.  7    is a perspective view of a boat lift with a plurality of buoyancy tanks with a plurality of integrated cylindrical structures. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to  FIG.  1   , there is shown a buoyancy tank  1  with a plurality of integrated cylindrical structures  2 . The integrated cylindrical structures  2  consist of a hollow cylindrical opening in the buoyancy tank  1 , with a wider opening on the bottom of the tank  3 , and a narrower opening at the top of the tank  4 .  FIGS.  2  and  3    show a cross sectional view of the integrated cylindrical structure. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  7   , there is shown a plurality of substantially identical buoyancy tanks with a plurality of integrated cylindrical structures as a component of a portable floatation apparatus which is made in accordance with the teachings of a preferred embodiment of the invention. As shown, the substantially identical buoyancy tanks  5  with a plurality of integrated cylindrical structures are a component of the portable floatation apparatus. Referring now to  FIG.  1   , the substantially identical buoyancy tanks  1  with a plurality of integrated cylindrical structures  2  are constructed from a relatively thin, lightweight, and durable material that is gas impermeable. For example and without limitation, the buoyancy tanks  1  with a plurality of integrated cylindrical structures  2  may be constructed of an injection molded polymer material. The buoyancy tanks  1  are designed with a plurality of integrated cylindrical structures  2  which support the floatation apparatus in transport and storage. As shown in  FIG.  7   , The buoyancy tanks  5  are connected to base portions  6  which preferably provide additional support to the buoyancy tanks. The plurality of buoyancy tanks  5  and plurality of base portions  6  are connected by a plurality of conduits and a plurality of horizontal and vertical beams  7  connected as a frame. The plurality of horizontal and vertical beams connected as a frame has a modular design which allows for lifting means to be installed to assist in storage and removal from a boat trailer. A plurality of hull supporting means  8  having a concave top surface is connected to the plurality of base portions  6  and the plurality of horizontal and vertical beams  7  connected as a frame. The plurality of hull supporting means  8  has a top surface which couples to a hull of a boat and will allow the hull of a boat to rest upon said top surface, as illustrated in  FIG.  6   . A plurality of t-shaped support bodies  9  are connected between the plurality of hull supporting means  8  and the plurality of base portions  6  and optimally provide additional support. A control device for an air pumping device  10  is connected to the plurality of horizontal and vertical beams  7  connected as a frame. The air pumping device is connected to the plurality of buoyancy tanks  5  by coupling said pumping device to a plurality of conduits, coupling said plurality of conduits to the plurality of buoyancy tanks. The air pumping device  10  allows the floating apparatus to rise in a body of water by filling the plurality of buoyance tanks with air. The air pumping device allows the floating apparatus to lower in a body of water by allowing the plurality of buoyancy tanks to be filled with water by removing the air. 
     The air pumping device may fill a certain number of buoyancy tanks  5  with air by use of the air inlet tube  11 , or allow a certain number of buoyancy tanks  5  to be filled with water, in the event it is desired that the floatation apparatus be tilted. One non-limited reason that the floatation apparatus may be tilted is to engage the floatation apparatus with a boat lift, or to engage a watercraft with the floating apparatus. 
     Generally the plurality of hull supporting means  8  is designed to engage the hull of a watercraft to effectively to hold or contain the watercraft. T-shaped support bodies  9  provide additional support to a watercraft and the watercraft&#39;s hull. 
     Importantly, as best shown in  FIG.  5   , the floating apparatus is able to be placed on a boat trailer while a watercraft is on top of the floating apparatus. This position shown in  FIG.  5    may be maintained for a long duration without damage to the floating apparatus due to at least one and/or the plurality of cylindrical structures integrated in the buoyancy tanks. 
     The floating apparatus is able to be stacked and interlocked with other floating apparatus which allows the transportation and storage of the floating apparatus in high volume. 
     In operation, a user seeking to elevate a watercraft positions the floating apparatus beneath a watercraft and couples the hull supporting means  8  of the floating apparatus with the hull of a watercraft. The air pump then selectively displaces a volume of air through the plurality of conduits and into the substantially identical buoyancy tanks  5  with a plurality of integrated cylindrical structures  2  of the floatation apparatus. Air pump increases the atmospheric pressure within each buoyancy tank effective to increase the buoyancy of the floatation apparatus. The watercraft is effectively and conveniently lifted by the floatation apparatus as the buoyancy level of the floatation apparatus is progressively increased. 
     In operation, a user seeking to remove a watercraft first positions the floating apparatus beneath a watercraft and couples the hull supporting means  8  of the floating apparatus to the hull of a watercraft. The air pump then selectively displaces a volume of air through the plurality of conduits and into the substantially identical buoyancy tanks  5  with at least one and/or a plurality of integrated cylindrical structures  2  of the floatation apparatus. The air pump increases the atmospheric pressure within each buoyancy tank effective to increase the buoyancy of the floatation apparatus. The watercraft is effectively and conveniently lifted by the floatation apparatus as the buoyancy level of the floatation apparatus is progressively increased. The floatation apparatus and watercraft are then piloted toward the shore, preferably toward a boat ramp. A boat trailer is positioned under the floatation apparatus. The air pump then releases a volume of air through the plurality of conduits into the atmosphere and allows the substantially identical buoyancy tanks with at least one and/or a plurality of integrated cylindrical structures to fill with water. The watercraft and floating apparatus are lowered into the water and onto the boat lift. The boat trailer is then taken out of the water with the floatation apparatus and watercraft on top. Preferably, the boat trailer is taken out of the water by use of an automobile. This is made possible because the integrated cylindrical structure(s) which are built into the buoyancy tanks give the necessary support to support the weight of the watercraft and floating apparatus. 
     It should be understood that this invention is not limited to the exact construction or embodiments listed and described, but that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, and without limitation, the buoyancy tanks with a plurality of integrated cylindrical structures may be of substantially any shape or size depending upon the amount of buoyancy needed or the size of the floatation apparatus. Further, the buoyancy tanks with at least one and/or a plurality of integrated cylindrical structures may be used in other configurations of floatation apparatus.