Patent ID: 12194966

While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular example embodiments described. On the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following descriptions, the present invention will be explained with reference to various exemplary embodiments. Nevertheless, these embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention to any specific example, environment, application, or particular implementation described herein. Therefore, descriptions of these example embodiments are only provided for purpose of illustration rather than to limit the present invention.

Referring toFIGS.1-9, a brake assembly100for a retractable wheel mechanism200comprises a contact plate102, axle insert104, brake member106threaded fastener108and fastener retainer (locking nut)110.

The retractable wheel mechanism200includes the aforementioned brake assembly100, a sliding support member202, axle204and tire206. The sliding support member202slides vertically within the hollow interior of a main support post of the boat lift or dock section. The axle204extends outward horizontally from a vertical-facing side surface of the sliding support member202. The axle204can be a hollow tube. The tire206is a single-piece plastic tire or wheel that has a center aperture to fit over the axle204. Of course, the present invention can be adapted to use with other types of tires and wheels, including metal wheels, and wheels with a separate outer rubber tire disposed circumferentially upon the wheel.

During assembly, the tire206is disposed on the axle204so that the wheel204can freely rotate. The contact plate102is next placed over the axle so that the axle204protrudes through a center aperture in the contact plate102. The axle insert104is disposed inside of the hollow interior of the axle204. The insert104is rigidly locked to the axle204with a pin105so that it does not spin with respect to the axle inner surface. The pin105can extend radially through the wall of the axle204and through an aperture extending radially through the insert. The brake member106is fastened to the insert104with the threaded fastener108and locking nut110.

The brake member106comprises a generally Y-shaped body112. The head or diverging portion of the body112defines a gap in which a pivot member114is disposed. The pivot member114spans transversely between the opposing portions of the head. The pivot member114is pinned through its longitudinal axis so that it can rotate in an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body of the brake member.

The tail portion of the body112of the brake member106defines an elongated bar that can engage an engagement feature116defined on the face of the tire as shown inFIGS.4-6. The engagement feature116can be a section of the tire's outer surface that is bounded by two portions that project farther outward than the engagement feature. The tail portion of the body112is captured in the engagement feature between these projections in the engaged position so that the tire206cannot rotate.

In this embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the body112extends radially from the center axis of the axle204. In other words, the longitudinal axis of the body112extends in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the tire206. In the engaged position, the tire206cannot rotate. However, due to clearance reasons, some minor degree of rotation may be permitted while the tire is still considered to be rotationally locked or unable to rotate.

The body112of the brake member106can be pivoted from the engaged position to a disengaged position where the tire206is permitted to freely rotate. This is shown inFIGS.7-9. The longitudinal axis of the body112is pivoted about the pivot member114until the body112is no longer engaged with the face of the tire, such as when the longitudinal axis of the body112extends along or parallel to the rotational axis of the tire206. The plate102keeps the head of the brake member from damaging the tire.

The fastener108/110securing the brake member106can be provided with a spring so that the brake member106is held in a given position until pivoted by the user.

The tire206(also referred to as a wheel) is preferably formed as a single plastic molded piece. However, other materials (e.g. metal alloys and rigid composites) can be used that would be suitable to remaining at least partially submerged for extended periods of time.

The brake member106can be formed of a metal alloy (e.g. aluminum alloy) or a rigid composite or plastic material. The fastening hardware and axle insert can also be formed of suitable metal alloys, composites or plastics suited for the submerged environment.

The brake member106can be formed of various different shapes to accommodate a variety of wheel faces and engaging features.

A pin can also be provided to the tail portion of the brake member. The pin extends perpendicularly from the tail so that the pin can be inserted into the face of the tire when the brake member is pivoted into the engaged position. The wheel can be provided with a corresponding aperture to receive the pin. This arrangement provides additional means for restraining the tire from rotating. This also provides a means for the brake member106engaging the tire if the face of the tire is smooth so that the tail portion cannot otherwise engage the face of the tire.

In use, the user installs the retractable wheel mechanism200components to the boat lift or dock. The user can restrain the tire from rotating by moving the brake member into the engaged position. The user can allow the tire to rotate freely by moving the brake member into the disengaged position.

The brake mechanism described herein can be retrofit to existing retractable wheel mechanisms that employ an axle comprising a hollow tube. The brake mechanism described herein can be provided as part of a retractable wheel mechanism kit or system. The brake mechanism described herein can be provided as part of a boat lift or dock system or kit.

Other features and aspects of the invention can be appreciated from the depictions in the figures, even if not described in writing herein.

While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments. It will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and equivalent arrangements can be made thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, such scope to be accorded the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all equivalent structures and products. Moreover, features or aspects of various example embodiments may be mixed and matched (even if such combination is not explicitly described herein) without departing from the scope of the invention.