Land vehicles – Wheeled – Articulated vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-22
2001-06-26
DePumpo, Daniel G. (Department: 3611)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Articulated vehicle
C280S414100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06250662
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to bunks for boat trailers.
2. Description of the Related Art
Boat trailers, particularly but not limited to those for transporting power boats, have long been known. Typically, such trailers are formed of aluminum section members mounted on a wheeled carriage and include support elements, called bunks, upon which the hull of the boat rests.
While the frames of boat trailers are conventionally formed of galvanized steel or aluminum sections, in the case of frames formed of aluminum sections the bunks have traditionally been formed of wood. However, wood is not an ideal material for use in boat trailers, particularly due to its appearance, buoyancy and tendency to warp or rot under marine conditions.
There has therefore been a long felt need for aluminum bunks for boat trailers. However, practical aluminum bunks have heretofore not existed since it was believed that bunks having sufficient strength to withstand the loads applied by the transport of heavy boat hulls required the use of expensive and complex multi-wall aluminum assemblies. Since practical aluminum bunks must have high strength and adjustability, and yet be simple and inexpensive, practical constructions were unknown.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide about trailer having an aluminum or aluminum alloy bunk.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a boat trailer having an aluminum or aluminum alloy bunk which is simple and inexpensive.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a method for manufacturing a boat trailer, having an aluminum or aluminum alloy bunk, and using standardized parts.
According to a feature of the invention, the above and other objects are carried out by providing a boat trailer comprising an aluminum support assembly, a plurality of road wheels for supporting the support assembly, a hitch mechanism for hitching the support assembly to a vehicle, and a plurality of bunks supported by the support assembly for supporting a boat hull, wherein at least one of the bunks is at least in part formed of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.
According to further features of the invention, the at least one bunk has a substantially T-shaped cross-section, particularly one comprised by a substantially vertically oriented aluminum or aluminum alloy based part mounted to the support assembly and a separate cross part mounted to the base part for supporting a boat hull.
The cross part may include two reinforcing yoke members forming an elongate groove in which a top of the base part is secured. Brackets may be mounted on opposite sides of the base part and have reinforcing legs for reinforcing the base part. The brackets may be adjustably mounted to cross members of the support assembly.
According to a further feature of the invention, the above and other objects are carried out by a method for manufacturing a trailer, comprising the steps of storing a plurality of cross parts of standardized sizes and shapes, storing a plurality of base parts in the form of elongate aluminum or aluminum alloy plates of standardized sizes, assembling an aluminum support assembly, a plurality of road wheels for supporting the support assembly and a hitch mechanism for hitching the support assembly to a vehicle, selecting ones of the cross parts and base parts having desired characteristics, assembling the selected cross parts and base parts to form at least one bunk having a substantially T-shaped cross section, and assembling the bunk to the support assembly.
According to the invention, the bunk is formed of simple, lightweight and inexpensive aluminum or aluminum alloy components. The base part is simply a planar, rectangular aluminum section whose length and width can be selected according to the necessary requirements. It is reinforced by the legs of brackets of a standardized construction. Standardized cross parts can also be provided, and have a reinforcing yoke. The bunk can therefore be formed of a small number of standardized parts, can be simple, lightweight and inexpensive.
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patent: 4464092 (1984-08-01), Chambers et al.
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patent: 5060963 (1991-10-01), Godbersen
patent: 5165706 (1992-11-01), Fond
patent: 5299903 (1994-04-01), Kesselring
patent: 5429383 (1995-07-01), Reed
patent: 5632504 (1997-05-01), Gallagher
patent: 5823559 (1998-10-01), Priesgen et al.
patent: 6079729 (2000-06-01), Braun
patent: 6113124 (2000-06-01), Chambers
DePumpo Daniel G.
Float-On Corporation
Oblon & Spivak, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt P.C.
LandOfFree
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