Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to small marine vessels such as pontoon boats, catamarans and the like, and more particularly to a power-actuated platform that attaches to such boats.
Description of the Problem
A pontoon boat or catamaran is typically powered by internal combustion engine, or in some cases a battery driven motor. Such boats have a helm station and sponsons or pontoons which position a deck area at a fixed distance from the surface of the water. This distance from the deck area to the water is typically too great for a person to gain unencumbered egress and ingress to the boat main deck area from the water or from a landing area. A pontoon boat or catamaran vessel may be equipped with a ladder or apparatus such as a platform that can he physically positioned by hand into place to facilitate egress and ingress; however, upon completion of use, the ladder or platform apparatus must be removed or disassembled and stowed by hand so not to impede safe operation vessel. While ladders or removable platforms work, they are very inconvenient. It would be advantageous to have a power-actuated platform affixed to the frame of the vessel on a moving carriage that would deploy almost to the water level, so that it becomes a convenient way to ingress and egress or to load and unload cargo.
The present invention relates to a power-actuated platform that is affixed to the frame of a small vessel that rides on wheels that follow tracks to form a moving carriage. The relative angle of the platform itself in relation to the deck or water surface changes as the platform travels from a stowed position to a deployed position. The device can use a powered actuator attached to a fixed substrate of the device at one end and to the carriage on the other. The actuator can be controlled remotely by a vessel operator using a directional power controller affixed to the helm, by radio signal from a handheld unit that can be a cellular telephone, or by means of a plug in a lanyard multidirectional controller. On a pontoon boat or catamaran, the platform of the present invention can be attached to the forward deck area, or elsewhere, for convenience.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a pontoon boat or catamaran boat platform and carriage or frame assembly affixed to the boat and moveable forward and backward and subsequently up and down due to its geometry by means of a powered electrical or hydraulic actuation,
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a powered pontoon boat or catamaran platform and carriage assembly design with wheels intended to travel along a track pathway, that during full deployment, positions the platform at a convenient distance between 1″ (inch) and 36″ (inches') in height parallel to a body of water or land mass.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a powered pontoon boat or catamaran boat platform and carriage assembly design with wheels intended to travel along a track pathway that allows unimpeded boat maneuverability in a stowed configuration by placing the platform at a compact and convenient position, and in a deployed configuration, places the platform at a convenient position to facilitate egress or ingress of persons and cargo on and about the vessel.
Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a powered pontoon boat or catamaran boat platform assembly affixed to a boat with pivoting arms affixed to rails with a swinging geometry to facilitate and position the platform at a compact and convenient position to allow unimpeded boat maneuverability when stowed, and when deployed, is at a convenient position to facilitate egress or ingress of persons on and about the vessel.
Attention is now directed to several drawings the illustrate features of the present invention.
Several figures and illustrations have been provided to aid in understanding the present invention. The scope of the present invention is not limited to what is shown in the figures.
The present invention relates to a power-actuated platform that is affixed to a vessel that rides on wheels that follow tracks to form a moving carriage that allows easy ingress and egress to the boat.
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The actuator 40 is attached to the substrate 33 at one end, and to the carriage frame 16 at the other end. This is typically powered actuator. Due this mounting arrangement, when directionally controlled power is introduced to the actuator 40, the carriage is forced to move within the confines and direction of tracks in frame components 30 and 31 either forward and simultaneously downward toward the water or land mass 59, or upward and inward toward the underside of the boat or vessel deck area 20 (
Simply, the apparatus includes a rigid frame configured to be attached to a boat deck or other part of a boat. Embodiments of the rigid frame have a track for wheels with a level portion and a downward slanting portion. The downward slant is a predetermined angle that can be changed for different boats. The preferred range of angles is between 15 and 45 degrees. A pair of separated axles with wheels on their ends terminate in slots in the parallel sides of the rigid frame. The upper slot is substantially level, while the lower slot slants at the predetermined angle. The actuator pushes the axles up and down the track. The axles are tied to a platform portion using one or more bars or other members. The linear extending actuator, or other actuator, causes the platform to deploy downward and outward away from the boat to a level position near the water, and in the reverse mode, causes the platform to retract upward and inward toward the boat to a stowed position out of the way of normal boat operation. This is possible because the two axles are rigidly held a fixed distance apart and rigidly attached to the platform. The actuator thus only has to push or pull on one of axles or anywhere on the carriage to move the device.
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The present invention provides a powered platform accessory for a pontoon beat, catamaran boat or other small marine vessel, that includes an electrically powered, or hydraulically powered, actuator attached to a platform and also attached to the underside of the boat forward deck area or elsewhere on a boat. The position of the platform allows an operator or passenger to deploy or store the platform safely with minimum effort to provide easy egress and ingress to the boat main forward deck area to or from a body of water or a landing area The present invention pushes or pulls a carriage assembly with wheels that roll on a frame assembly with arms that pivot and swing. This arrangement allows the platform to have forward and reverse travel, and due to the geometry, upward and downward travel simultaneously. The apparatus is also permanently affixed to the boat via the frame or rails. The platform has two primary positions: the first is the stowed configuration, when the actuator is drawn back which allows normal boat operation. The second is the deployed configuration where the actuator is pushed forward projecting and lowering the platform, which allows for egress and ingress to and from the boat main deck to a body of water or to a landing area.
The powered pontoon boat or catamaran boat platform of the present invention may be produced from any non-corroding or corrosion resistant composite material including: fiberglass composite, polyethylene composite, nitrile butadiene rubber compound, polyvinyl chloride compound, aluminum alloys, stainless steel or wood. Any strong, light rigid material may be used.
In summary, the present invention includes the following features:
1. A pontoon boat or catamaran boat platform and carriage or frame assembly affixed to the boat able to move able forwards and backwards and subsequently up and down due to geometry by means of a powered electrical or hydraulic actuation,
2. A powered pontoon beat or catamaran boat platform and carriage assembly design with wheels intended to travel along a track pathway that during full deployment, positions the platform at a convenient distance between 1″ (inch) and 36″ (inches') in height distance parallel to a body of water or land mass.
3. A powered pontoon boat or catamaran boat platform and carriage assembly design with wheels intended to travel along a track pathway that allows unimpeded boat maneuverability in a stowage configuration by placing the platform at a compact and convenient position, and in a deployed configuration, places the platform at a convenient position to facilitate egress or ingress of persons on and about the vessel.
4. A powered pontoon boat or catamaran boat platform assembly affixed to a boat with pivoting arms affixed to rails with a swinging geometry to facilitate and position the platform at a compact and convenient position to allow unimpeded boat maneuverability when stowed, and when deployed, is at a convenient position to facilitate egress or ingress of persons on and about the vessel.
Several descriptions and illustrations have been presented to aid in understanding the present invention. One with skill in the art will realize that numerous changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Each of these changes and variations is within the scope of the present invention.
This application is related to, and claims priority from, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/241,887 filed Oct. 15, 2015. Application 62/241,887 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62241887 | Oct 2015 | US |