Not Applicable.
This application relates to launches for small watercraft.
In U.S. Pat. No. 8,256,366, we disclosed a launch for small watercraft, such as canoes and kayaks. The watercraft launch disclosed therein works well for its intended purpose, but can be improved upon to make it more versatile, and easier for some to use.
Briefly stated, a small watercraft launch comprises a watercraft receiving area defined by a bottom and side walls which in combination define a cradle. Opposed launch side walls, extending generally the length of the small water craft launch, extend upwardly from the cradle side walls. The launch sidewalls have an inner surface, an outer surface and a top surface. At least one of the side walls defines a port to enable access to the cradle (and to a watercraft positioned in the cradle). The side walls further include a plurality of aligned notches extending downwardly from the launch sidewall top surface on opposite sides of the port which are sized to receive an oar/paddle shaft to allow a boater to pull the small watercraft forward along the small watercraft launch. Lastly, the small watercraft launch has a connecting portion at a bottom of the outer surface of at least one of the launch side walls, and which is configured to connect the small watercraft launch to a dock member.
The small watercraft launch can include any of the following aspects in any desired combination.
In accordance with one aspect, the cradle is sized and shaped to maintain a small watercraft in a generally upright position when received in the watercraft receiving area. To this end, the side walls of the cradle preferably are spaced apart a distance that is slightly greater than the average width of a small watercraft, such as a canoe or kayak.
In accordance with another aspect, the side walls of the cradle slope upwardly and outwardly.
In accordance with an aspect, the small watercraft launch can include ribs extending longitudinally along the side walls of the cradle and/or along the bottom of the cradle.
In accordance with an aspect, bunks are secured to the cradle bottom between the bottom ribs. If desired, the bunks can have a height greater than a height of the ribs.
In accordance with an aspect, the small watercraft launch includes a central channel extending longitudinally the length of the bottom of the cradle, with the channel being open at opposite ends of the cradle bottom.
In accordance with an aspect, the watercraft receiving area comprises ramped entrance and exit surfaces at opposite ends thereof. Preferably, the ramped entrance and exit surfaces each have a pair of approach edges, with each of the approach edges of each pair of approach edges having a first end proximate a side wall of the cradle and a second end proximate a side-to-side center of the cradle, such that the approach edges define approach areas to guide a small watercraft into the cradle.
In accordance with an aspect, the notches of the launch side walls each include a first end surface closer to the port, a second end surface closer to an end of the launch, and a bottom surface extending between bottom ends of the first and second end surfaces; wherein at least the second end surface is generally vertical.
In accordance with an aspect, the top surfaces of the launch side walls define end portions which ramp upwardly and generally horizontal mid-portions.
In accordance with an aspect, the end portion of the launch side walls defines a curve.
In accordance with an aspect, the bottom surfaces of the notches are generally parallel to the top surface of the launch wall.
In accordance with an aspect, the connecting portion is a first connecting portion, and the small watercraft launch includes a second connecting portion at the bottom of the outer surface of the other of the launch side walls. This second connecting portion can have a height less than a height of the first connecting portion.
Corresponding reference numerals will be used throughout the several figures of the drawings.
The following detailed description illustrates the claimed invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. This description will clearly enable one skilled in the art to make and use the claimed invention, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the claimed invention, including what we presently believe is the best mode of carrying out the claimed invention. Additionally, it is to be understood that the claimed invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The claimed invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
The small watercraft launch 10 is shown in better detail in
The bottom surface 16 of the cradle 20 slopes upwardly from a generally central channel 24 to the cradle side walls 18. Preferably, the slope of the bottom surface 16 is a shallow slope sufficient to allow for water on the small watercraft launch to flow towards the channel 24. As seen, the central channel 24 extends the length of the bottom surface 16, and is open at the opposite ends of the surface 16, thereby allowing water in the channel to drain from the small watercraft launch. The bottom surface 16 is generally flat along the length of the surface.
A plurality of ribs 26 extend upwardly from the surface 16 and from the side walls 18. The ribs 26 are generally parallel to each other and are shown to extend the length of the surface 16 and side walls 18. The ribs also aid in facilitating water to flow off the small watercraft launch. In addition, the ribs 26 will elevate a small watercraft above water that may be on the surface of the small watercraft launch to keep the craft out of the water. The ribs 26 define channels 28.
The cradle 20 further defines entrance and exit sections 30 at opposite ends of the small watercraft launch 10. As seen in the figures, the entrance and exit sections 30 are generally identical, such that the cradle 20 is generally symmetrical about both a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis. The entrance/exit sections 30 comprise edges 32 which extend outwardly from the central channel 24. The entrance sections 30 further include sloped ramp surfaces 34 which extend upwardly from the edges 32. The converging edges 32 and the sloped entrance/exit surfaces 34 facilitate guiding a watercraft into the cradle 20 and then onto the cradle surface 16. As seen in the figures, the edges 32 of the entrance/exit sections define a general V-shape. However, the edges could be more U-shaped, or perhaps even semi-circular. Alternatively, the entrance/exit sections 30 could simply be defined by a ramped portion.
The small watercraft launch 10 includes side walls 40, having inner surfaces 40i, outer surfaces 400, and a top surface 40t. The side wall inner surfaces 40i extend upwardly, and preferably vertically, from the cradle side walls 18. The side wall outer surfaces 40o are generally parallel to the inner wall surfaces 40i. Connecting portions 42t and 42s extend from the bottom of the outer surfaces 40o to connect the small watercraft launch 10 to the dock members 12T and 12S, respectively. To this end, the connecting portions 42t,s each include sockets 44 shown to extend downwardly from top surfaces 46 of the connecting portions and which are positioned to align with sockets on the dock members 12t,s. Connectors then are received in the opposed sockets of the dock members and the small watercraft launch. The sockets and connectors are formed to prevent substantial separation between the small watercraft launch and the dock members. For example the sockets and corresponding connectors are preferably such as are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,281,055, which is incorporated herein by reference. In addition, the sockets and corresponding connectors can be such as are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,243,608, 9,051,953, and 9,079,641, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. The sockets and connectors can have any other desired shape, as long as they will prevent substantial separation of the small watercraft launch 10 from the dock member(s) to which it is connected. As best seen in
Turning to
Additionally, the walls 40 include notches 56 which extend downwardly from the top surfaces 40t of the side walls 40. The notches 56 in the two side walls are aligned with each other. As seen, the notches 56 include end surfaces 56a,b and a bottom surface 56c. As seen, the end wall 56a which is closest to a respective end of the small watercraft launch 10 is vertical. Preferably, both end walls 56a,b of the notch are vertical. Additionally, the bottom surface 56c of each notch 56 is generally parallel to the top surface 40t of the side wall 40. Thus, the notches 56 in the end sections 48e have slopping bottom surfaces and the notches in the mid-sections 48m are generally horizontal. As shown in
As can be appreciated, in use, a user will dock a small watercraft, such as a kayak or canoe, on the small watercraft launch by propelling the small watercraft toward the entrance section 30 of the small watercraft launch. The guiding edges 32 of the entrance section will align the watercraft with the cradle 20. As the user propels the watercraft forwardly, the front of the watercraft will ride up the ramped surfaces 34 of the entrance section. If the momentum of the watercraft does not propel the watercraft fully into the cradle 20, the user can then place an oar in opposed notches and use the oar to pull the watercraft forwardly until the watercraft is fully received in the cradle 20. To this end, the side walls, with their aligned notches, define a generally horizontal ladder. Preferably, the watercraft is positioned such that the user is generally aligned with the port 54, to allow the user to easily exit the small watercraft launch. To propel a watercraft off the small watercraft launch 10, the user can enter the watercraft through a port 54. Once positioned in the watercraft, the user can place the oar in opposing notches to pull the watercraft forward, as is demonstrated in
Additionally, the small watercraft lift 10′ is shown with end rails 62 which are mounted to the ends of the small watercraft lift. The end rails 62 can facilitate docking a longer small watercraft (such as a 17′ kayak) in that the user can use the rails to pull the watercraft forward to a position which will allow the user to use the “horizontal ladder”.
As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. For example, although the bottom surface 16 of the cradle 20 is shown to be generally solid, it could be perforated, or even be comprised of bars or slats which extend either length-wise or width-wise of the watercraft receiving area 14. This would provide for a watercraft receiving area which is more open to the water. This example is merely illustrative.
This application claims priority to U.S. App. No. 62/428,365, filed Nov. 30, 2016, entitled Small Watercraft Launch, and which is incorporated herein by reference.
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Golden Boat Lifts Kayak Launch web page www.goldenboatlifts.com/kayaklaunch.php, printed Feb. 17, 2016 (2 pages). |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20180148143 A1 | May 2018 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62428365 | Nov 2016 | US |