Hydraulic and earth engineering – Marine vessel portage – launching – or removing – Lifting
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-10
2001-01-16
Basinger, Sherman (Department: 3617)
Hydraulic and earth engineering
Marine vessel portage, launching, or removing
Lifting
C212S330000, C212S331000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06174106
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a lifting apparatus used to portage a boat. More specifically, the present invention relates to a mechanism for vertically lifting a boat out of one body of water, transferring the boat horizontally over a barrier, and then vertically lowering the boat into a second body of water.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Known within the prior art are devices for lifting boats out of water for such purposes as making repairs, protecting boats from dock collision caused by tidal action, and preventing damage to a boat's hull from excessive exposure to water. U.S. Pat. No. 5,184,914 describes and shows a boat lift that consists of a frame which cradles and lifts a boat from the water by the means of a hydraulic ram. The device requires a person to enter the water to secure several members of the device around the bottom of the hull. U.S. Pat. No. 5,593,247 describes a programmable boat lift control system that with the push of a button, the lift may either raise or lower the boat to a pre-programmed elevation.
Both of these devices are useful for lifting boats out of water, but are both limited to lifting and lowering the boat in a vertical direction which is indicative of the general state of the art in boat lifting devices. The prior art fails to teach an apparatus that can both, lift and lower a boat in a vertical direction and transfer the boat in a horizontal direction. Applicant has discovered the need to transfer boats over barriers, such as water divider walls. In many areas salt water and fresh water are separated by various types of barriers. Barriers are needed to separate fresh water from salt water due to the various types of organisms, plants and animals why only survive in either salt or fresh water, but not both. Regardless of the need to isolate salt from fresh water, boats and other types of water vehicles still require access to and from these separate bodies of water.
Therefore, in light of the foregoing deficiencies in the prior art, Applicant's invention is herein presented.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a stationary boat lift which raises a boat in a vertical direction to remove it from one body of water, transfers the boat in a horizontal direction over a barrier and then lowers the boat into a second body of water. The preferred embodiment of the present invention is comprised of a housing in which a boat is able to enter and exit with little difficulty. The housing is built over the barrier which the boat is to traverse so that the barrier is centered within the housing. Attached to the top portion of the housing is a hoist capable of movement in a straight path parallel to the length of the housing. The hoist has an outer frame which supports its various components. The hoist includes two motors, one which drives the lifting components and a second which drives the translation components.
After the boat has entered the lift it is positioned over a pair of slings which are placed under the boat. One sling is located near the bow or front portion of the boat while the second sling is located near the stem or rear portion of the boat. The slings are fastened between two support beams which are lowered or raised by cable wires connected to cable spindles which are mounted to the hoist. The spindles and their respective drive shafts rotate in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction depending on whether the boat is to be lowered or raised.
Once the boat is in a fully raised position, the boat lift translates the boat in a horizontal direction over the particular barrier located within the housing. Translation of the hoist is controlled by a second motor which powers a set of flanged wheels to move the hoist back and fourth in a horizontal direction. An operator is able to easily control the functioning of the boat lift through a control panel located either within or outside of the housing. As a result, passengers never need to exit the boat during the lifting process.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved boat lift capable of lifting a boat in and out of water in both a vertical and horizontal direction.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a boat lift which can be easily and safely operated by one or more individuals, who are operators of the boat and not require an operator full time for the boat lift.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a boat lift which allows a boat to be lifted and carried over various types of barriers.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a boat lift in which passengers may remain on board the boat while it is being portaged over a barrier.
These, along with other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from a reading of the detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings.
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Bishop Charles L.
Bishop Richard B.
Basinger Sherman
Oldham & Oldham Co. L.P.A.
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