Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/747,697 filed 2012 Dec. 31 by the present inventors. 
    
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM 
     Not Applicable 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an adjustable step assembly for attachment to a boat lift or as it sometimes called a lake lift for a boat. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Often when a boat is moored to a dock or pier, a boat lift or as it sometimes called a lake lift is used. The lift allows the user to moor the boat up and out of the water. This type of mooring helps to maintain the boats finish, paint, mechanical components, and reduces the overall wear and tear on the boat. 
     There are two basic types of boat lift; a vertical lift and a cantilevered lift. Each of these type of lift operate according to the same basic principles and has a similar structure. Both lifts include a frame that is placed into the water adjacent to a pier or dock. Typically, this frame includes pilings that are placed on the seabed, lakebed, or riverbed that act as a base to support the lift. A movable bunk provides resting support to the boat. In a cantilevered style lift, the bunk is hingedly connected to the frame and raised into position above the water. In a vertical lift, the bunk is secured to a frame that is hoisted vertically out of the water. 
     Often, the frame structure of a boat lift is located adjacent to a dock or pier, allowing users an access point to a raised boat. Typically, due to various differences in the designs of boat lifts, environmental conditions, or movement during use, a user is required to step across a large gap between the pier or dock and the boat. Often this makes entry into a retained boat difficult for many users. Therefore, there is a need for a device that makes entry into a boat easier and more accommodating. Preferably, this device is universal and adaptable to several types and styles of lifts. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A step assembly for attachment to a boat lift is disclosed. The step assembly includes a platform affixed to a vertical member removably affixed to the boat lift frame. The platform provides a stepping surface in a gap between a dock or pier and a boat located on the boat lift to aid in the entry and exit of the boat. In an alternate embodiment, the platform is hingedly connected to the vertical member and movable between a raised position and a lowered position. In the raised position, the platform is orientated coplanar with the vertical member to allow for the boat to dock and undock without the risk of striking the platform. In the lowered position, the platform is orientated perpendicular to the vertical member and acts as a step to aid in the entry and exit from a boat retained within the lift. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING (S) 
       The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention and together with the description serve to further explain the principles of the invention. Other aspects of the invention and the advantages of the invention will be better appreciated as they become better understood by reference to the Detailed Description when considered in conjunction with accompanying drawings, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the device in use, according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the device, according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the device, according to the present invention; and 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the device, according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1-4 , various views of a step assembly for attachment to a boat lift for a boat  30 , the step assembly is generally referred to as  10 . The step assembly  10  includes a platform  100  affixed to a vertical member  200  and a fastener  300 . The step assembly  10  is attached to a boat lift frame  20  using the fastener  300  and is designed to provide support to aide in the entry and exit and of the boat. 
     The platform  100  is a substantially planar surface and defined by a front side  101 , rear side  102 , left side  103 , and right side  104 . The front side  101  is opposite the rear side  102 . The left side  103  is opposite the right side  104  and in communication with the front side  101  and rear side  102 . The right side  104  is opposite the left side  103  and in communication with the front side  101  and rear side  104 . Wherein, the front side  101 , rear side  102 , left side  103 , and right side  104  define the periphery of the planar surface of the platform  100 . Preferably, the platform has a thickness to support and bear the weight of a user. 
     The vertical member  200  extends perpendicular from the frame  20  opposite the water. The vertical member  200  includes a plurality of through holes  201  extending along its length and has an upper end  202  and lower end  203  opposite the upper end  202 . The through holes  201  are designed to receive the fastener  300  and allow for multiple height adjustments of the device in use. To change the height of the device, the fastener  300  is placed into the through holes  201  at a location for the desired height. 
     The fastener  300  secures the vertical member  200  to the frame  20  by being received in the through holes  201 . Preferably, the fastener  300  is a U-bolt with threaded ends sized to the height of the frame  20 , wherein the U-bolt fastener  300  is placed around the frame  20  with each end of the U-bolt received in a corresponding through hole  201  and extending through the width of the vertical member  200  where it is retained using washers and a lock nut. 
     According to this configuration, utilizing a different sized fastener  300  can accommodate different frames sizes. Further, the plurality of through holes  201  allow the height of the platform  100  to be adjusted to varying sizes of boats  30  and frames  20 . 
     In an alternate embodiment, the platform  100  is hingedly connected to the vertical member and movable between a raised position and a lowered position, as indicated by the arrow in  FIG. 2 . To facilitate movement, the platform  100  includes a pair of hinge plates  110 . The hinge plates  110  are affixed to both the left side  103  and right side  104  adjacent to the rear side  102 . The hinge plates have an attached end  111  and a free end  112 . The free end  112  extending beyond the periphery of the platform and having an aperture (not pictured). 
     Preferably, the vertical member  200  is comprised of a pair of legs forming a pair of vertical members  200  connected with a brace  204 . The upper end  202  includes a second hinge plate  205 . The second hinge plate  205  affixed to the vertical member  200  and having an aperture (not pictured) aligned with the aperture of the first hinge plates  110  when the platform  100  is rested on the upper end  202  of the vertical member  200 . 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second hinge plate  205  extends outward from the vertical member  200  opposite the boat  30 . According to this configuration, the platform  100  will rest on the vertical member  200  in a lowered position perpendicular to a length of the vertical support member. 
     A hinge pin  400  is received in the aligned apertures of the first hinge plates  110  and second hinge plate  205  and retained within the apertures using a retaining means  401 . The hinge pin  400  ensures that the platform  100  and vertical member  200  are in proper alignment and connects the platform  100  to the vertical member  200 . Preferably the hinge pin  400  is comprised of a threaded bolt and the retaining means  401  is a nut, although other similar materials and configurations may be used, such as a rod retained with a cotter pin or split pin. 
     In the hinged configuration, the raised position of the platform  100  extends parallel and coplanar to the vertical member  200  in an unobstructed position. This allows for maximum clearance when docking the boat  30 . In the lowered position, the platform  100  extends perpendicular to the vertical member  200  allowing users to easily enter and exit the boat  30 . 
     Preferably, the device  10  is constructed out of aluminum due to its corrosion resistance and weight properties, although other similar materials may be used. Preferably these materials are resistant to corrosion. It is further preferred that the platform  100  include an anti-slip surface. This anti-slip surface may be ribs in the surface of the platform  100  or an additional material added to the surface of the platform  100  to prevent slipping, such as a rubber, or sand paper like material. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment(s), it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) but that the invention will include all embodiments falling with the scope of the appended claims.

Technology Category: 0