Patent Application
20240052588
The present disclosure relates to pleasure boats and more specifically to a docking guide for pleasure boats or the likes.
Docking a boat, while a common operation, requires a mixed of science and art, wherein experience plays a large role in limiting damages to the boat during the operation, especially when there is wind, and the water plan is agitated and/or when space is limited.
Devices and systems have been designed to help docking a boat parallel to a dock, such as the device described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,187,706, issued to Ross on Jun. 8, 1965, and titled “Boat Fending, Mooring and Docking Apparatus”. Ross device includes a system of cable and spring which aims at gradually slowing down the boat while forcing a parallel relationship to the dock.
A first drawback of such a device by Ross is that the boat must approach the dock very slowly for the device to operate correctly. Also, the angle and position of approach is critical in the docking success.
According to an illustrative embodiment, there is provided a docking guide for a boat comprising:
According to another illustrative embodiment, there is provided a docking guide for a boat having a bow, the docking guide comprising:
Other objects, advantages and features of the docking guide for a boat will become more apparent upon reading the following non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In the appended drawings:
In the following description, similar features in the drawings have been given similar reference numerals, and in order not to weigh down the figures, some elements are not referred to in some figures if they were already identified in a precedent figure.
The use of the word “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the term “comprising” in the claims and/or the specification may mean “one”, but it is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more”, “at least one”, and “one or more than one”. Similarly, the word “another” may mean at least a second or more.
As used in this specification and claim(s), the words “comprising” (and any form of comprising, such as “comprise” and “comprises”), “having” (and any form of having, such as “have” and “has”), “including” (and any form of including, such as “include” and “includes”) or “containing” (and any form of containing, such as “contain” and “contains”), are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements.
A docking guide 10 according to a first illustrative embodiment will be described with reference first to
As can be seen in
Also, as will be described hereinbelow in more detail, the docking guide 10 is adaptable for different configurations and sizes of boats and is also demountable so as to be transportable in a compact manner, for example for shipping or storing purposes.
The docking guide 10 comprises a rigid platform 14 having front and back sides 16 and 18, a first lateral side 20 for mounting to the dock 11, and a second lateral side 22 opposite the first lateral side 20, dock mounting brackets 23 for securing the platform 14 to the dock 11 via at its first lateral side 20, two anchoring elements 24 secured to the rigid platform 14 on the second lateral side 22, a first shock-absorbing deflector 26 mounted to the platform 14 thereabove so as to be partially in the opening 12 near an intersection of the front and second lateral sides 14 and 22, and a second shock-absorbing deflector 28 mounted to the platform 14 thereabove so as to be partially in the opening 12 near an intersection of the front and first lateral sides 14 and 20.
The rigid platform 14 according to the illustrative embodiment is assembled from a plurality of pieces so as to allow 1) shipping and storing thereof in relatively compact boxes as will be described hereinbelow in more detail, and 2) a plurality of configurations, each better adapted to a range of boat sizes and configurations, also as will be described hereinbelow in more detail.
More specifically, with reference also to
Each of the generally rectangular frame elements 30A and 30B are defined by parallel front and back portions 34 and 36 and two lateral side portions 38 and 40 extending therebetween near respective longitudinal ends 42 and 44 thereof.
Each frame elements 30A and 30B further includes first connecting part 46, in the form of a first straight portion that extends linearly from the lateral side portion 38, and a second connecting part 48, in the form of a second straight portion that extends from the lateral side portion 40, so as to define an acute angle therewith.
All exterior side of the frame elements 30A and 30B, with the exceptions of the front portion thereof, are provided with a peripheral flange 50, that extends from the respective portion perpendicularly therefrom. In addition to adding rigidity to the platform 14, the flange 50 further provides an additional surface for assembling parts of the docking guide 10.
Each of the generally triangular frame elements 32A, 32B is in the form a generally triangular shaped plate 52 having a first corner 54 that is truncated, a first connecting part, in the form of a first straight portion 56, extending from a second corner of the triangular-shaped plate 52, and yielding a longer straight side 58 thereof, and a second connecting part, in the form of a second straight portion 60, extending from a third corner, and yielding a shorter straight side 62 of the triangular plate 52.
As will be described hereinbelow in more detail, the first and second straight connecting parts 56 and 60 of the triangular frame elements 32A, 32B are configured and relatively positioned to define linear extensions of the first and second connecting parts 46 and 48 of the rectangular frame elements 30A, 30B respectively when the platform 14 is assembled.
All exterior side of the frame elements 32A and 32B, with the exceptions of the side thereof opposite the truncated corner 54, are provided with a peripheral flange 64, that extends from the respective portion perpendicularly therefrom.
With reference also to
It results from the above-described assembly that the rigid platform 14 has an opening 12, for receiving the front or bow of the boat 13 therein, wherein the opening 12 is located between the first and second lateral sides 20 and 22 and has a width that decreases from the front side 16 towards the back side 18.
Fasteners (not shown) are used to attach the pieces of the rigid platform 14 together, which includes fastener-receiving holes 72 therein for that purpose. More specifically, a series of holes 72 are provided, which allow various relative distancing between the frame elements 30A and 30B, allowing to adapt for different configuration of boats.
Turning now briefly to
According to other illustrative embodiments (not shown), the number and/or location of braces are different than illustrated. According to still another illustrative embodiment, such braces are omitted.
As will now become more apparent from the above, the truncated corners 54 defines the front 16 of the platform 14, the back portions 36 of both rectangular frame elements 30A and 30B defines the back 18 thereof, and lateral side portions 38 of either frame elements 30A, 30B together with the longer straight side 58 of respective triangular member 32A, 32B and angle bracket 68 form the first and second lateral sides 20 and 22 thereof.
With references more specifically to
The mounting brackets 23 further includes a dock-mounting portion 90 comprising a generally P-shaped planar portion 92, extending perpendicularly from the first elongated planar portion 80 on the side of the first lateral side 81 thereof, and being defined by i) a generally rectangular portion 94 extending from the second end 84 to about a third of the length of the first lateral side 81, and ii) a narrow reinforcement portion 96 extending from the rectangular portion 94 to the first longitudinal end 82.
The dock mounting portion 90 further comprises a jaw 98 defined by a) a first plate 100, formed by a bent of the rectangular portion 94 perpendicularly thereof in the direction away from the first elongated planar portion 80, and b) an L-shaped plate 102, that is removably mounted to the rectangular portion 94 so that a horizontal portion 104 of the L-shaped plate 102 is parallel to the first plate 100.
The L-shaped plate 102 is attachable to the rectangular portion 94 via fasteners (not shown) at different positions thereon so that the opening of the jaw 98 can be adapted to different thickness of dock 11. For that purpose, both the L-shaped plate 102 and portion 94 are provided with fastener-receiving holes 104 and 106.
The second lateral side 86 of the planar portion 80 is provided with a series of fastener-receiving holes 108 and defines a platform-mounting portion for attaching the platform 14 thereon.
Finally, the portion of the first lateral side 81 that is along the narrow reinforcement portion 96 is also provided with a series of aligned holes 110, which are provided to receive optional reinforcement cable 112 (see
As will be described hereinbelow in more detail, the mounting brackets 23 are configured to allow mounting the platform 14 to docks of different configurations. However, the brackets 23 are not limited to such configurations. For example, a dock-mounting bracket according to another illustrative embodiment (not shown), is configured for a specific configuration of dock.
With reference now to
As can be seen in
According to another embodiment (not shown), another locking mechanism than the button connectors 129-130 is provided or such mechanism is omitted. Also, the number and length of the sections 122 may be different than illustrated. According to still another embodiment (not shown), the poles 114 are made in one section.
The distal end 118 of each pole 114 is spiked to improve its penetration in the underwater ground. According to another illustrative embodiment, the end of each pole 114 is configured differently than illustrated.
The seat plate 120 are provided with a center hole 124 (see
The use of seat plates 120 has been found to improve the bearing of the pole 114 in the underwater ground, and therefore of the platform 14.
With reference to
According to another embodiment, the pole mounting brackets 119 are configured so that there is no gap between the pole 114 and the platform 14. The pole mounting bracket may also take another form allowing to secure the pole to 114 to the platform 14.
The shock-absorbing deflectors 26 and 28 will be described in more detail. Since both the first and second shock-absorbing deflectors 26 and 28 are identical, only the deflector 26 will be described herein in more detail with reference more specifically to
The shock-absorbing deflector 26 includes a balloon wheel 132 mounted to the platform 14 via a titled mount 134. The titled mount 134 includes an L-shaped mounting portion 136, including fastener-receiving holes 138, for securing the titled mount 134 to the platform via fasteners (not shown), two side plates 139 that are integral to the mounting portion 136 so as to extend therefrom in a parallel relationship and a wheel-receiving shaft 140, secured to both side plates 139 therebetween by welding or the like. The tilted mount 134 is configured and mounted to the platform 14 so that the shaft 140 extends both upwardly and so as to define about a 70 degrees angle therewith.
A washer (not shown) is mounted to the shaft 140 to act as a mechanical stop under the wheel 132 and a lock-pin or the like (not shown) is secured to the shaft 140 on top of the wheel 132 to lock its position on the shaft 140. A transversal hole 142 is provided on the shaft 140 to receive such locking mechanism.
Since balloon wheels are believed to be well known in the art, they will not be described herein in more detail for concision purposes.
As will be described hereinbelow in more detail, the balloon wheels 132 act mainly as deflectors, but also as shock absorbers, to force a boat 13 moving therebetween in a parallel relationship with the dock 11. The wheels 132 are tilted so as to better conform to the shape of a boat's hull 144. More specifically, the wheels 132 are titled to contact the hull 144 substantially perpendicularly thereto, thereby minimizing the impact therebetween.
According to another embodiment (not shown), the balloon wheels 132 are rotatably mounted to the platform 14 using another assembly than the tilted mount 134, and/or are titled differently relative to the platform 14.
According to still another embodiment (not shown), other deflectors than balloon wheels 132 are used, such as, without restrictions, regular wheels, endless tracks and guide rails. Such deflectors can be mounted or not to shock absorbers, suck spring, cushion material, etc.
The platform 14 parts are made of metal and more specifically of steel with, for example, a hot dipped galvanized and zinc platted finish so as to improve its longevity in water.
According to another embodiment, the platform 14 is made of another rigid material such as aluminum, a polymeric material, fiberglass, etc.
As described hereinabove with references to
The above-described fasteners, washers, any other hardware and instructions can be further put in a box 146 that conveniently fit in the arrangement shown in
More specifically,
The measures of the compact arrangements shown in
Other characteristics and features of the docking guide 10 will become more apparent upon reading the following description of the installation thereof, with reference to
Turning now to
The width (W) of the platform 14, which yields the distance between both deflectors 26 and 28, is set by the user depending on the configuration and size of the boat 13 (see arrow 147, and version of platform 14 in dashed lines on
For example, a chart (not shown) can be provided to the user which can be based, for example, on the width of the hull 144, as seen from above, taken from a distance of about 100 cm (between about 36″ to 42″) from the tip of the bow.
Once the platform 14 is assembled in the configuration functionally adequate to the boat 13, the dock mounting brackets 23 are pivotably mounted thereto at its first lateral side 20 in a registered manner, one to the front side 16 and the other to the back side 18 using fasteners, pivot pins or the likes (not shown). For that purpose, the corresponding portions of the platform 14 are provided with holes (not shown). More specifically, the platform 14 is mounted to the extension part 89 of the brackets 23, which are provided to extend above the dock 11 when the dock-mounting portion 90 is levelled with the side 148 of the dock 11.
A person skilled in the art will now appreciate that the configuration of the brackets 23 allows:
As can be seen in
With reference to
Still with reference to
It has been found that a distance of about 24″ (about 61 cm) between the platform 14 and the boat outline molding 156 (see on
The platform 14 is then levelled by independently fixing the position of each pole 114 relative to the corresponding pole mounting bracket 119. This is achieved by firmly fastening both channeled plates 126-128 together. A conventional level 158 can be positioned on the platform 14 to assess the horizontality of the platform 14. It is to be noted that more or less tubular sections 122 than illustrated can be used in addition or alternatively to moving the poles along the brackets 119.
According to another illustrative embodiment (not shown), telescopic poles are used instead of pole sections 122.
It is to be noted that the proximate side of the brackets 119 are mounted to the platform 14 for independent pivot movement about axes 160 and 160′ via pivot pins 162 (only one shown). This allows a range of movements of the platform 14 during contact of a boat 13 to minimize fatigue on the platform 14 in view of increasing its duration. This has also been found to improve the efficiency of the docking guide 10 in forcing a parallel relationship between the boat 13 and the dock 11. The mounting of the platform 14 to both brackets 23 is also swivel.
With reference to
For example, according to the configuration of the deflector 28 shown in solid lines in
Of course, other mounting positions can be provided on the platform 14 for the deflector 28.
According to another illustrative embodiment, a different number of mounting positions than illustrated can be provided for the deflectors 26 and or 28.
With reference to
When the boat 13 moves towards the dock 11 for docking (see arrow 164, the captain (not shown) conventionally tries to align its boat 13 between both balloon wheels 132, and more generally parallel to the dock 11. However, in cases where the water is choppy because there is a strong wind, or because the dock 11 is crowdy of other boats or for any other reason that causes the boat 13 to approach the dock 11 at an angle, the captain of the boat simply aims between both balloon wheels 132.
As soon as the boat 13 comes into contact with the balloon wheels 132, the boat 13 is automatically brought in parallel relationship with the dock 11 under the forward force of the boat 13 and a lever effect caused by the deflector 28 being shifted (see arrow 165) towards the back of the platform 14 relative to the other deflector 26 (see arrow 166).
Also, the balloon wheel 132 being resilient, they absorb most of the impact of the boat 13 with the platform 14.
As can be seen in
As a further advantage of the docking guide 10, the front of the boat 13 does not need to be moor and the captain or a passenger (not shown) may simply get on the dock to moor the stern of the boat 13.
As can be better seen in
According to another embodiment (not shown), the wheels 132 are mounted to the platform 14 at different angles than illustrated.
Turning now to
According to this illustrative embodiment, a floating dock 172 replaces the poles 114 as the anchoring element on the lateral side 22 of the platform 14 opposite the dock 11.
The platform 14 is secured to the floating dock 172 using a pair of mounting brackets 23 (only one shown) similarly to those used for its mounting to the dock 11 as described hereinabove.
It is to be noted that many modifications could be made to the docking guides 10 and 170 described hereinabove and illustrated in the appended drawings. For example:
Although a docking guide has been described hereinabove by way of illustrated embodiments thereof, it can be modified. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that the scope of the claims should not be limited by the illustrative embodiments but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.
