Patent Application
20160083059
1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a watercraft launch and storage system that can mount to the side of a dock. It provides a safe and easy entry and exit point for riders of watercraft (such as kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, surfboards, certain sailboats, paddleboats, sculls, and the like) and provides secure storage for the watercraft when not in use.
2) Description of Related Art
Launching and retrieving watercraft such as a kayak from a dock, especially a floating dock, can be difficult and dangerous because of the height of the dock above the water line and due to the need to step down into an unstable platform such as a floating watercraft. Kayakers especially are often injured, falling into the water, or damaging their kayaks during the process of launching and retrieving the watercraft.
One attempt to provide a system for launching kayaks is United States Patent Application 2012/0251242 A1 that utilizes a winch and strap system to raise and lower the launch platform. However, the strap is an inconvenience and a potential safety hazard. Further, this device does not provide kayak storage. The device also utilizes an expanded metal grating on which the user may stand, but it can damage the bottom of the kayak by scraping, and is too large for certain installations. Part of the device rests below the waterline at all times, which will promote corrosion and fouling of the device. A large portion of the device mounts to the top of a dock using a metal strap and bolts, thus posing a trip hazard and burn hazard on hot days.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,763,593 is directed to a mechanical device for lifting, storing and launching small boats in and out of the water alongside conventional dry docks. This device provides for storage, but does not enable safe entry and exit, so the small boat must be taken to a separate and safe location for entering and exiting.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,137,028 is directed to a racking system that does not provide for a safe entry or exit access point. In fact, the rider must float the canoe or kayak into the cradle and lift it into a secure vertical storage position on the side of the dock and does not get on the dock.
Canadian patent 2,762,553 is directed to a cradle that is used to enter and exit the watercraft. This device does not provide storage for the watercraft, and the watercraft must first be removed from the storage device before raising the device out of the water. The device also does not provide access steps which could improve safety. Nor does the device provide a post or handrail on which to rely for leverage during entry and exit.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide for a watercraft launching platform to better stabilize the watercraft when the user enters and exits the craft.
It is another object of the present invention to provide for an apparatus for launching and storing watercraft.
The above objectives are accomplished according to the present invention by providing a watercraft launch and storage assembly comprising: a mounting assembly that can be removabley attached to a dock; a first step attached to the mounting assembly and vertically movable relative to the mounting assembly and above a waterline; a watercraft cage pivotally carried by the mounting assembly having a launch position and a storage position; a continuous loop included in the watercraft cage for receiving and surrounding at least a portion of a watercraft; and, a watercraft cage plane defined through the watercraft cage that is generally perpendicular to the waterline when the watercraft cage is in the storage position so that when a watercraft is received by the watercraft cage and in the storage position an angle defined between a plane running through the width of the watercraft and the watercraft cage plane is greater than 90° reducing the amount of water and debris that can enter the watercraft in the storage position.
The invention can include a pull cord with a distal end attached to a distal area of the watercraft cage for positioning the watercraft cage from the launch position to the storage position. The cage can include a partial loop for partially receiving and surrounding at least a portion of the watercraft. A proximal support can be attached between the continuous loop and the partial loop; and, a stop for contacting the proximal support when the watercraft cage is in the launch position thereby preventing the watercraft cage from over rotating.
The invention can include a post that carries a proximal end of the pull cord attached to the mounting assembly. A handle can be attached to the post. The handle can be slideably attached to the post and can be removed from the post. A second step can be attached to the mounting assembly and vertically movable relative to the mounting assembly and below the waterline. A cleat attached to the mounting assembly for securing the pull cord to retain the watercraft cage in the storage position. The cleat can be a marine cleat, hook, ring or the like. The cleat can be attached to the post, handle, mounting assembly or dock. A winch carried by the mounting assembly and attached to the proximal end of the pull cord for positioning the watercraft cage between the launch position and the storage position when the winch is actuated can be included. The winch can be attached to the post or on the dock.
The construction designed to carry out the invention will hereinafter be described, together with other features thereof. The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein:
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that one or more aspects of this invention can meet certain objectives, while one or more other aspects can meet certain other objectives. Each objective may not apply equally, in all its respects, to every aspect of this invention. As such, the preceding objects can be viewed in the alternative with respect to any one aspect of this invention. These and other objects and features of the invention will become more fully apparent when the following detailed description is read in conjunction with the accompanying figures and examples. However, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the invention and the following detailed description are of a preferred embodiment and not restrictive of the invention or other alternate embodiments of the invention. In particular, while the invention is described herein with reference to a number of specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that the description is illustrative of the invention and is not constructed as limiting of the invention. Various modifications and applications may occur to those who are skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention, as described by the appended claims. Likewise, other objects, features, benefits and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from this summary and certain embodiments described below, and will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Such objects, features, benefits and advantages will be apparent from the above in conjunction with the accompanying examples, data, figures and all reasonable inferences to be drawn therefrom, alone or with consideration of the references incorporated herein.
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The mounting assembly can include a bracket 24 that is vertically adjustable on the mounting assembly to adjust the height of the step relative to the water or dock. The step can therefore be adjusted for ease of use to provide an advantageous distance between the top of the dock, the step and the watercraft when the watercraft is floating on the water.
A watercraft cage shown generally as 26 can be pivotally attached to the mounting assembly or step or step rail 28 allowing the watercraft cage to move between a launch position and a storage position. In the launch position, the watercraft cage can be partially submerged in the water. A continuous loop 30 can be included in the watercraft cage and define an opening 32 for receiving a watercraft such as a kayak 34. The continuous loop can surround at least a portion of the watercraft. Additionally, the top portion 36 of the continuous loop can provide for a support for the user when entering or exiting the watercraft. The sides 38a and 38b can limit the motion of the watercraft when it is in the continuous loop to assist with stabilization of the watercraft when it is floating and the user is attempting to enter or exit the watercraft.
A post 40 can be attached to the mounting assembly or to the dock to provide additional support to the user when entering or exiting the watercraft. The post can include a handle 42 that is attached to the post to further provide support to the user. The handle can be slideably attached to the post allowing the height of the handle relative to the top of the dock to be adjusted.
A pull cord 44 can include a distal end 46 attached to the watercraft cage so that when the pull cord is pulled, the watercraft cage can be positioned from the launch position to the storage position. The pull cord can be received through an opening 50 in the post and secured to a cleat 52a attached to the post or a cleat 52b attached to the mounting assembly or the dock. In one embodiment, a winch can be attached to the post, mounting assembly or dock and be used to pull or release the pull cord to position the watercraft cage between the launch and storage positions.
A partial loop 54 can be included in the watercraft cage with an upper opening 56 defined by the partial loop. The watercraft can be received into the partial loop to increase stability of the watercraft for the user when entering or exiting the watercraft.
A stop 58 can be carried by the mounting assembly and attached to the step in one embodiment. A proximal support 60 can be included in the watercraft cage and when the watercraft cage is in the launch position, the proximal support contacts the stop and prevents the watercraft cage from over rotation. A distal support can be included in the watercraft cage for supporting the continuous and partial loops. The pull cord can be attached to the distal support in one embodiment and can be attached adjacent to the continuous loop to provide for a generally linear travel path of the pull cord when the pull cord is pulled.
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With reference to the drawings, the invention will now be described in more detail. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which the presently disclosed subject matter belongs. Although any methods, devices, and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the presently disclosed subject matter, representative methods, devices, and materials are herein described.
Unless specifically stated, terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. Likewise, a group of items linked with the conjunction “and” should not be read as requiring that each and every one of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction “or” should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should also be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise.
Furthermore, although items, elements or components of the disclosure may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated to be within the scope thereof unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases may be absent.
While the present subject matter has been described in detail with respect to specific exemplary embodiments and methods thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing may readily produce alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to such embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is by way of example rather than by way of limitation, and the subject disclosure does not preclude inclusion of such modifications, variations and/or additions to the present subject matter as would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art using the teachings disclosed herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62052007 | Sep 2014 | US |
