This invention relates to a boat cradle capable of adjusting in two directions perpendicular to each other. In my earlier U.S. Pat. No. 5,622,447 issued Apr. 22, 1997 adjustment was capable in only one direction: To the dead-rise of the boat. This invention is intended particularly for supporting long High Performance boats requiring adjustment in two directions. Boat cradles of the prior art do not provide adjustment if the boat is inclined at an angle describing a horizontal plane not parallel to the ground. The new invention, with its capabilities for aligning itself to the angle the boat makes with respect the floor, prevents the boat from resting on the edge of the cradle pad or supporting structure. Hence it eliminates the high stress concentration potentially damaging the hull as it contacts the edge of the cradle pad. This cradle invention is capable of adjusting to the degree of inclination fore and aft of up to 3 degrees plus to the dead-rise of the hull.
The invention further resides on the interface of two channel shaped pair of sheet metal members opposing each other. Each pair is developed to perform a distinct function: the upper pair has the capabilities to tilt 3 degrees, and the lower pair does not. The primary function of the lower channels is to align the system to match the dead-rise of the hull; the upper channels to align/adjust to the longitudinal angle of the boat. Each of the two lower channels is connected by means of a shaft extending the length of the upper channels supported by bearings on the lower channels to transfer the load from the upper channels to the lower channels. Additional bearing tubes are structurally positioned in the lower channels provide further support to the shaft.
The rotation center for the lower channels is a tube shaft of ample wall thickness and diameter to eliminate the need for additional bearing supports between this tube and the lower channel to reduce the pressure in bearing to the upright supports. Of note is that both right and left lower channels deflect the same degree regardless of which side of the cradle the boat touches first. To accomplish this a transfer block located at the inner end of the left lower channel, comprised of two plates parallel and facing each other forming a locus of points describing a curve that a pin welded to a plate bolted to the inside end of the right lower channel, will follow. These two transfer blocks at the inner ends of both lower channels have advantages unequaled by any prior art because the inner ends of the lower channels are not weakened at the flanges by the necessary cut-out to transfer equal angularity from one side to the other.
The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will appear in the following detailed description. In the description referenced is made to the accompanying drawings to illustrate the features of the new invention.
The cradle includes a pair of channel shaped uprights-17 that are welded to a common base-20. As seen in
A leaf spring is disposed beneath channels 1 & 3 bolted to the outside web of the up-rights-17. On
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