# US 11,440,457 B1 · Boat lift > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,440,457 B1 - Document ID: US11440457B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 17/721,506 - Filed: 2022-04-15 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2022-04-15 - Applicants: Sherri D. Blum - Inventors: Sherri D. Blum - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11440457B1 ## CPC - B60P 3/1033: {on a loading frame, e.g. the vehicle being a trailer (B60P3/1008 takes precedence)} - B60P 1/4421: {the loading platform being carried in at least one vertical guide} - B66F 3/22: Lazy-tongs mechanisms {(B66F11/042 takes precedence)} - B66F 7/0625: {with wheels for moving around the floor} - B66F 7/0666: {Multiple scissor linkages vertically arranged} - B66F 7/28: Constructional details, e.g. end stops, pivoting supporting members, sliding runners adjustable to load dimensions - B66F 2700/04: Jacks with screw and nut - B66F 2700/12: Lifting platforms for vehicles or motorcycles or similar lifting apparatus - B60P: VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS (vehicles with special provisions for transporting patients or disabled persons, or their personal conveyances A61G3/00) - B66F: HOISTING, LIFTING, HAULING OR PUSHING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. DEVICES WHICH APPLY A LIFTING OR PUSHING FORCE DIRECTLY TO THE SURFACE OF A LOAD ({invalid lifting devices A61G7/10; } mounting artificial islands on piles or like supports E02B17/00; scaffolding combined with lifting devices E04G1/22; lifting devices for sliding forms E04G11/24; lifting of buildings E04G23/06; shores or struts E04G25/00; lifts or other hoisting devices on ladders E06C7/12; props for mining E21D15/00) ## Abstract A lift raises and lowers a boat to load and unload the boat onto a roof of or a roof rack on a vehicle. The lift has an upper frame having a longitudinal axis, a lower frame having a longitudinal axis, and a linkage connecting the upper frame to the lower frame. In a first position the linkage is extended and the lift is raised and in a second position the linkage is retracted and the lift is lowered. At least one lift rack extends from or is part of the upper frame. The lift rack is adapted to support a boat at least vertically such that in the extended linkage first position a boat may be slid in a longitudinal direction between the lift rack and the roof or the roof rack of the vehicle. A method for using the lift is also disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A lift for raising and lowering a boat to load and unload the boat onto a roof or a roof rack on a vehicle, wherein the lift comprises: an upper frame having a longitudinal axis; a lower frame having a longitudinal axis; a linkage connecting the upper frame to the lower frame, wherein in a first position the linkage is extended and the lift is raised and in a second position the linkage is retracted and the lift is lowered; and at least one lift rack extending from or part of the upper frame, wherein the at least one lift rack is adapted to support a boat such that in the linkage first position the boat may be slid in a longitudinal direction between the lift rack and the roof or the roof rack of the vehicle; wherein the upper frame and the lower frame are each telescopically adjustable along each respective longitudinal axis between an extended utility length and a retracted storage length. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The lift according to claim 1, wherein the linkage may be partially extended such that the at least one lift rack is approximately 2 feet from the ground such that a boat may be loaded onto or unloaded from the lift. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The lift according to claim 1, wherein in the retracted position the lift may be stored or the lift may be transported. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The lift according to claim 1, wherein the linkage is a scissors arrangement. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The lift according to claim 4, wherein the linkage includes a power screw connected to longitudinally opposing legs which, when the power screw is rotated in one direction extends the linkage and when rotated in the opposite direction retracts the linkage. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The lift according to claim 5, wherein the power screw includes a crank, which is used to rotate the power screw. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The lift according to claim 4, wherein the linkage has terminals which slide within the upper frame and lower frame. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The lift according to claim 1, wherein the at least one lift rack is open in an upward direction. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The lift according to claim 1, wherein each of the at least one lift rack has two arms extending from a base. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The lift according to claim 9, wherein the two arms of each of the at least one lift rack define a width between the arms and wherein the rack is telescopically adjustable to adjust the width. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The lift according to claim 9, wherein arms of the lift rack pivot about the base between an unfolded position and a folded position. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The lift according to claim 1, wherein the retracted storage length is approximately 4 feet. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The lift according to claim 1, wherein upper frame, the lower frame and the linkage are made of aluminum. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The lift according to claim 1, wherein wheels are attached to the lower frame to support the lift. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The lift according to claim 14, wherein locks are attached to the wheels to prevent wheel rotation. ### Claim 16 A method for lifting and lowering a boat to unload the boat onto a roof or a roof rack of a vehicle using a lift having: an upper frame having a longitudinal axis; a lower frame having a longitudinal axis; a linkage connecting the upper frame to the lower frame, wherein in a first position the linkage is extended and the lift is raised and in a second position the linkage is retracted and the lift is lowered; and at least one lift rack extending from or part of the upper frame, wherein the at least one lift rack is adapted to support a boat such that in the linkage first position the boat may be slid in a longitudinal direction between the lift rack and the roof or the roof rack of the vehicle; wherein the upper frame and the lower frame are each telescopically adjustable along each respective longitudinal axis between an extended utility length and a retracted storage length, the method comprising the steps of: 1) with the lift in a partially extended position and the frames in a longitudinally extended position, positioning the boat to rest on the at least one lift rack; 2) extending the lift to an extended position; 3) sliding the boat in a longitudinal direction from the at least one lift rack to the roof or roof rack of the vehicle. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method according to claim 16, further including, after the step of sliding the boat from an at least one lift rack, the step of; 4) retracting the lift to a retracted position and positioning the frames into a longitudinally retracted position for transporting the lift or storage of the lift. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method according to claim 16 further including, after the step of sliding the boat from an at least one lift rack, the steps of: 4) with the lift in the extended position, sliding the boat in a longitudinal direction from the roof or roof rack of the vehicle to the at least one lift rack; and 5) retracting the lift to a position below the extended position for removing the boat from the lift or for storing the boat on the lift.