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US 10,858,083 B1Granted
Bunk mounting systems and methods for watercraft lifts
AssigneeBasta IP Inc.
InventorsSamuel T. Basta, Gene Thompson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A bunk mounting system for a watercraft lift comprising a first support defining first and second legs, a second support defining third and fourth legs, and first and second bunks. The bunk mounting system has first and second crossbeams, pivot connectors, and rail connectors. The pivot connectors pivotably connect the first crossbeam to the first and second legs and the second crossbeam to the third and fourth legs. The rail connectors detachably connect the first bunk to the first and second crossbeams and the second bunk to the first and second crossbeams.
Claims21
A bunk mounting system for a watercraft lift comprising:
- a first support including first and second leg assemblies;
- a second support including third and fourth leg assemblies;
- first and second crossbeams;
- a plurality of pivot connectors connecting the first crossbeam to the first and second leg assemblies to enable rotational movement of the first crossbeam relative to the first and second leg assemblies, and connecting the second crossbeam to the third and fourth leg assemblies to enable rotational movement of the second crossbeam to the third and fourth leg assemblies, each of the plurality of pivot connectors including:
- a first flange;
- a second flange;
- a pivot pin coupled to the first and second flanges through a corresponding one of the leg assemblies;
- and
- a stop pin coupled to the first and second flanges and extending between the first and second flanges, the stop pin configured to engage the corresponding one of the leg assemblies to limit rotation of a corresponding one of the first and second crossbeams relative to the corresponding one of the leg assemblies;
- a first bunk;
- a second bunk;
- a plurality of rail connectors detachably connecting the first bunk to the first and second crossbeams and the second bunk to the first and second crossbeams,
- wherein each of the first and second leg assemblies include a first leg and a second leg coupled together in a telescopic arrangement, the first leg coupled to the first crossbeam by one of the plurality of pivot connectors, the first leg having an adjustable height relative to the second leg, and
- wherein each of the third and fourth leg assemblies include a first leg and a second leg coupled together in a telescopic arrangement, the first leg coupled to the second crossbeam by one of the plurality of pivot connectors, the first leg having an adjustable height relative to the second leg.
11 more elements
A method of adjusting first and second bunks relative to a watercraft lift comprising a first support including first and second leg assemblies, a second support including third and fourth leg assemblies, and a first bunk and a second bunk, the method comprising:
- adjusting a lateral position of the first bunk and the second bunk relative to a first crossbeam coupled to the first support and a second crossbeam coupled to the second support until the first bunk and the second bunk are spaced by a distance corresponding to characteristics of a load to be supported on the first bunk and the second bunk, adjusting the lateral position of the first bunk and the second bunk including sliding bolts coupled to the first and second bunks and the first and second crossbeams along the first and second crossbeams in a first direction and a second opposite direction;
- adjusting the first bunk and the second bunk in a longitudinal direction relative to the first and second crossbeams to a longitudinal position corresponding to a weight distribution of the load to be supported on the first bunk and the second bunk, including adjusting the first bunk and the second bunks front to back relative to the watercraft lift and the first and second crossbeams, adjusting the first bunk and the second bunk in the longitudinal direction further including:
- loosening a plurality of nuts connected to the bolts coupled to the first and second crossbeams and connecting plates, the connecting plates received within a rail channel internal to the first and second bunks;
- adjusting the first and second bunks in the longitudinal direction, including sliding the first and second bunks front to back relative to the connecting plates;
- and
- tightening the plurality of nuts;
- and
- adjusting a height of the first bunk and the second bunk relative to the first support and the second support, adjusting the height of the first bunk and the second bunk including:
- adjusting a height of a first leg of each of the first and second leg assemblies coupled to the first crossbeam relative to a second leg of each of the first and second leg assemblies coupled to the first leg in a telescopic arrangement;
- and
- adjusting a height of a first leg of each of the third and fourth leg assemblies coupled to the second crossbeam relative to a second leg of each of the first and second leg assemblies coupled to the first leg in a telescopic arrangement.
8 more elements
A bunk mounting system for a watercraft lift comprising:
- a support assembly;
- a first crossbeam having an open end;
- a second crossbeam;
- at least one accessory having a connecting end configured to be received within the open end of the first crossbeam to couple the at least one accessory to the first crossbeam;
- a plurality of pivot connectors connecting the first crossbeam and the second crossbeam to the support assembly to enable rotation of the first and second crossbeams relative to the support assembly;
- a first bunk having a first end and a second end;
- a second bunk having a first end and a second end;
- a first rail connector connecting the first bunk to the first crossbeam, the first rail connector configured to enable adjustment of a lateral position and a longitudinal position of the first end of the first bunk relative to the first crossbeam;
- a second rail connector connecting the first bunk to the second crossbeam, the second rail connector configured to enable adjustment of a lateral position and a longitudinal position of the second end of the first bunk relative to the second crossbeam;
- a third rail connector connecting the second bunk to the first crossbeam, the third rail connector configured to enable adjustment of a lateral position and a longitudinal position of the first end of the second bunk relative to the first crossbeam;
- and
- a fourth rail connector connecting the second bunk to the second crossbeam, the fourth rail connector configured to enable adjustment of a lateral position and a longitudinal position of the second end of the second bunk relative to the second crossbeam.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.