Ships – Mooring device – Line type
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-22
2002-06-25
Basinger, Sherman (Department: 3617)
Ships
Mooring device
Line type
C405S001000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06408778
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention deals with the field of automated boat lifts or lifts for various watercraft including amphibious aircraft. Such watercraft are commonly removed from water by moving vertically or horizontally to a position of dry dock. The present invention is designed specifically for moving of a watercraft horizontally from a first position in dry dock adjacent to a lake or river to a second position wherein the boat is movable into the water. The ground line upon which the articulated locomotion system is designed to move on the land in the area above the water line and to move on the bottom contour of the river or lake which can be optionally possible by selective weighting of pneumatic and/or hydraulic tires to facilitate such overlay and movement.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Numerous devices have been patented for the movement of boats horizontally, vertically or at an angle to and from a position of dry dock and to and from a position water-born. Examples of such patents are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 1,613,155 patented Jan. 4, 1927 to A. C. Berg on a “Wheeled Supporting Device”; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,484,346 patented Oct. 11, 1949 to M. E. Iorns on a “Wheel Support And Carrier Attachment For Transporting Boats”; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,551,040 patented May 1, 1951 to F. T. Newell on a “Wheeled Attachment For Transporting Boats”; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,578;376 patented Dec. 11, 1951 to A. Smith on a “Wheeled Attachment For Boats”; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,620,610 patented Dec. 9, 1952 to J. M. Chambers and assigned to Harry Ferguson, Ltd. on a “Transport Apparatus For Tandem-Harrows”; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,966,368 patented Dec. 27, 1960 to K. O. Engnell on a “Wheeled Support For Boats”; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,978,257 patented Apr. 4, 1961 to B. A Barker on a “Boat Carrier”; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,123,378 patented Mar. 3, 1964 to E. V. Caldwell on a “Wheel Suspension Assembly”; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,271,798 patented Sep. 13, 1966 to M. A. Zoretic on a “Device For Launching, Landing And Portaging A Boat”; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,284,821 patented Nov. 15, 1966 to M. A. Zoretic on a “Wheel Assembly For A Boat”; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,301,571 patented Jan. 31, 1967 to W. W. Malcolm on a “Quick Attachable And Detachable Wheel Means For A Boat”; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,416,813 patented Dec. 17, 1968 to C. R. Sholl on “Removable Wheels For Boats”; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,612,566 patented Oct. 12, 1971 to C. R. Sholl on a “Removable Support Wheel Assembly”; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,671,056 patented Jun. 20, 1972 to K. C. Windemuth on a “Boat Transport Device”; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,659,868 patented May 2, 1972 to E. Tucker and assigned to Dean Sandford on “Detachable Wheels For Boats”; and U. S. Pat. No. 3,665,533 patented May 30, 1972 to W. W. Kleinau on a “Water Craft Launching And Removal Means”; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,687,476 patented Aug. 29, 1972 to R. M. Abbott on a “Removable Dolly Wheel For Boat”; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,697,096 patented Oct. 10, 1972 to F. H. Hadley on a “Boat Handling Apparatus”; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,771,809 patented Nov. 13, 1973 to P. Carn on a “Device For Transporting Loads On Uneven Or Shifting Ground, And Also For Launching Small Boats”; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,857,128 patented Dec. 31, 1974 to W. J. Gilster on a “Wheeled Carrier For Sailing Vessel”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,127,281 patented Nov. 28, 1978 to R. A. Ferguson on a “Boat Roller”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,235,450 patented Nov. 25, 1980 to C. G. Conover on “Catamaran Boat Dollies”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,440,409 patented Apr. 3, 1984 to A. B. Margison on a “Boat Transporter”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,465,291 patented Aug. 14, 1984 to E. T. Wylie et al on a “Boat Launching Dolly”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,550,925 patented Nov. 5, 1985 to S. L. McDonough on a “Boat Dolly”; and U. S. Pat. No. 4,601,481 patented Jul. 22, 1986 to G. E. Maurice on a “Portable Boat Dolly”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,801,152 patented Jan. 31, 1989 to J. H Elliott et al on a “Boat Dolly”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,850,605 patented Jul. 25, 1989 to J. R. Ray on a “Boat Dolly”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,000,468 patented Mar. 19, 1991 to B. Weinstein on a “Boat Dolly”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,176,394 patented Jan. 5, 1993 to S. E. Veazey on a “Towing Rig For Floating Objects”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,755,451 patented May 26, 1998 to M. A. O'Connor on a “Boat Portage Dolly”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,544 patented Aug. 24, 1999 to M. D. Fiedler on a “Boat Transporting Device”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,675 patented Aug. 24, 1999 to D. G. Orr and assigned to Magna Tech, Inc. on a “Tow Dolly”.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a watercraft retriever lift adapted to move watercraft overland between a first deadman fixed member and a second deadman fixed member. Such deadmen fixed members can comprise any type of a pier, buoy, anchor or other member wherein the first deadman fixed member is secured to the land and a second deadman fixed member is secured to the bottom surface beneath the water line.
In this manner movement overland between a first position adjacent the first deadman fixed member and a second position adjacent the second deadman fixed member for the watercraft lift and any watercraft support thereupon is facilitated.
A carrier frame may be included for supporting of a watercraft thereon which facilitates movement thereof between the first and second positions. This carrier frame preferably includes a first end somewhat closer to the first deadman fixed member and a second end spatially disposed from the first end in the direction toward the second deadman member. In the preferred configuration the carrier frame can include one or preferably two bunk members extending longitudinally between the first end and the second end thereof spaced apart from one another to provide a type of a frame rail configuration running longitudinally for the carrier. Cross beam members will be included extending laterally between the bunk members to facilitate support of a watercraft thereon. Guide poles may also be included extending vertically with respect to the cross beam members to facilitate retaining of a watercraft thereon. Guide pole brackets may further be included which are adjustably mounted to the cross beam members and having the guide poles affixed thereto to extend vertically therefrom. The guide pole brackets are preferably adjustable laterally along the cross beam members to provide adjustment in lateral positioning thereof to facilitate retaining of variously sized watercraft.
Hull support members may be included in the carrier frame extending longitudinally or horizontally, that is, with respect to the cross beam members to facilitate abutment with and supporting of the hull of a watercraft positioned upon the carrier frame. Although the hull support members could be oriented transverse across the carrier frame, the preferred configuration of the hull support members is extending perpendicularly with respect to the cross beam members in an orientation extending approximately parallel with respect to the carrier frame. A bow stop may also be included adjacent the first end for abutment with the bow of a watercraft responsive to the positioning of such a watercraft upon the carrier frame means.
An articulated suspension apparatus may be included attached to the carrier frame to facilitate ease of movement thereof overland with a watercraft positioned thereupon. This articulated suspension means may be pivotally attached with respect to the cross beam members to facilitate support of the carrier frame and a watercraft positioned thereon. The articulating member will include preferably a first, second, third and fourth articulating member each of which is pivotally mounted with respect to the carrier frame to extend longitudinally therefrom. Each of these articulating arm members will be pivotally movable with respect to the carrier with an axis of rotation oriented laterally with respect to the carrier frame. A pair of axle members will be mounted on each of the articulating members and will be defined as the first, second, third an
Basinger Sherman
Hi-Tide Sales, Inc.
Sperry, Zoda & Kane
LandOfFree
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