The present invention relates to nautical vessel docking and storage.
Nautical vessel docking systems have been provided to secure nautical vessels to a nautical structure, such as a dock or sea wall, which in turn are fixed to a landmass.
The present invention provides a nautical vessel docking and storage system.
An exemplary environment of the present invention can include a nautical structure, which can include any structural interface associated with a body of water and a landmass, such as a floating or stationary dock, piling, sea wall, anchor attached to a landmass, or nautical vessel, for example and not in limitation.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a nautical vessel docking and storage system can include a cradle, a vessel securing element, hinges, and a puller, which cooperatively allow the system to transition between a docking position and a storage position.
In an exemplary aspect, a cradle can include first and second support elements, with each support element including a lower portion connected to proximate and distal side portions that can extend upwardly from the lower portion. A cradle can further include proximate and distal side abutments respectively connected to the support elements.
In another exemplary aspect, a vessel securing element can be connected to the cradle, and can be configured to extend, at least in part, between the proximate and distal side abutments to secure a docked nautical vessel against the support elements.
In still another exemplary aspect, a respective hinge can be connected to each proximate side portion, and then respectively connected to the nautical structure.
In a further exemplary aspect, a puller can be connected to the nautical structure, and can include a puller strap having a first strap end engaged with the puller and a second strap end engaged with the cradle.
In an exemplary use of the present invention, the cradle can be configured to pivotally transition from a docking position to a storage position. In a docking position, the lower portions can be generally parallel to the water surface of the body of water, and the proximate side abutment can abut the nautical structure to assist in stabilizing the cradle, such that a nautical vessel can be moved into the cradle, and to the extent desired, the nautical vessel can be secured to the cradle via the securing element.
In an exemplary aspect, to transition the cradle from a docking position to a storage position, the puller can be used to pull the puller strap, which can cause the cradle to pivot towards the nautical structure, such that the distal side abutment is positioned above the proximate side abutment.
In an exemplary aspect, when a cradle is in a docking position, the lower portions can be positioned below the water surface.
In another exemplary aspect, a cradle can optionally include at least one cross member connected to the first and second support elements.
In another exemplary aspect, the system can further include an extension fixed to the nautical structure, with the winch being attached to the extension.
In yet another exemplary aspect, a cradle can further include a middle abutment positioned between the proximate and distal side abutments and connected to the first and second support elements.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a nautical vessel docking and storage system having functional utility.
It should be noted that this disclosure includes a plurality of embodiments each having a plurality of elements and/or aspects, and such elements and/or aspects need not necessarily be interpreted as being conjunctively required by one or more embodiments of the present invention. In particular, all combinations of elements and/or aspects can enable a separate embodiment of the present invention, which may be claimed with particularity in this or any future filed patent applications. Moreover, such elements and/or aspects disclosed herein, whether expressly or implicitly, are to be construed strictly as illustrative and enabling, and not necessarily limiting. Therefore, it is expressly set forth that any elements and/or aspects, independently or in any combination of one of more thereof, are merely illustratively representative of one or more embodiments of the present invention and are not to be construed as necessary in a strict sense.
Further, to the extent the same element and/or aspect is defined differently anywhere within this disclosure, whether expressly or implicitly, the broader definition is to take absolute precedence, with the distinctions encompassed by the narrower definition to be strictly construed as optional.
Illustratively, perceived benefits of the present invention can include functional utility, whether expressly or implicitly stated herein, or apparent herefrom. However, it is expressly set forth that these benefits are not intended as exclusive. Therefore, any explicit, implicit, or apparent benefit from the disclosure herein is expressly deemed as applicable to the present invention.
According to the present invention, a nautical vessel docking and storage system can be formed from any one or more materials or combinations of materials, such as one or more of plastic, rubber, wood, metal, a crystalline material, or any other man-made or naturally occurring material, for example and not in limitation, insofar as functionally consistent with the invention as described. Further, such a system can be manufactured in any one or more functionally compatible manners, such as through molding, cutting, machining, etc. For example, such a system can be formed at least in part from aluminum pipe stock, which can be cut and/or bent and welded together.
Referring to
In a further exemplary aspect, support elements 111,112 can each provide a contact point or area for supporting a nautical vessel during docking and storage thereof. Notably, lower portions 113, proximate and distal side portions 114,115, and proximate and distal side abutments 116,117 can be provided with any one or more linear, curvilinear, and irregular shapes to the extent desired and functionally compatible with the present invention.
In another exemplary aspect, vessel securing element 120 can be provided to secure a docked vessel to cradle 110, and as illustratively shown in
In a further exemplary aspect, a hinge 130 can be attached to each proximate side portion 114, and connected to nautical structure NS, such that cradle 110 can pivot about hinges 130 as the cradle transitions between docking and storage positions. For example, as illustrated in
In another exemplary aspect, a puller 140 can be connected to nautical structure NS and can include a puller strap 141 having a first strap end 142 engaged with the puller and a second strap end 143 engaged with cradle 110. Notably, while puller strap 141 is illustratively shown as being a strap, puller strap is not limited thereto and can be provided as any functionally compatible structure desired that is consistent with the present invention. Upon actuation of puller 140, puller strap 140 can be pulled towards the puller, which causes cradle 110 to pivot about hinges 130, which in turn causes the cradle to transition from a docking position to a storage position. Puller 140 can be provided as a manual puller (for example and not in limitation, as a pulley through which first strap end 142 can wrap and be available for manual pulling, or a mechanically actuated winch, as illustrated in
Referring now to
It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the manner of making and using the claimed invention has been adequately disclosed in the above-written description of the exemplary embodiments and aspects.
It should be understood, however, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the specific embodiments, aspects, arrangement, and components shown and described above, but may be susceptible to numerous variations within the scope of the invention.
Therefore, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative and enabling, rather than a restrictive, sense.
Accordingly, it will be understood that the above description of the embodiments of the present invention are susceptible to various modifications, changes, and adaptations, and the same are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the appended claims.