# US 11,440,627 B1 · Foldable boat ladder alarm > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,440,627 B1 - Document ID: US11440627B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 16/849,159 - Filed: 2020-04-15 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2019-05-29 - Assignees: T-H Marine Supplies, LLC - Applicants: T-H Marine Supplies, LLC - Inventors: Mark Neibert; Eric Griggs - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11440627B1 ## CPC - B63B 27/146: {Pilot ladders or similar outboard ladders, e.g. bathing ladders; Pilot lifts} - B63B 79/10: using sensors, e.g. pressure sensors, strain gauges or accelerometers - B63B 79/40: for controlling the operation of vessels, e.g. monitoring their speed, routing or maintenance schedules - B63C 9/0005: {by means of alarm devices for persons falling into the water, e.g. by signalling, by controlling the propulsion or manoeuvring means of the boat (alarms responsive to presence of persons in a body of water in general G08B21/08)} - B63B: SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING (arrangements of vessel ventilation, heating, cooling, or air-conditioning B63J2/00; floating substructures as supports of dredgers or soil-shifting machines E02F9/06) - B63C: LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS (floating nets, floating slipways, or the like for recovering aircraft from the water B63B35/52) ## Abstract A boat ladder alarm system for a foldable boat ladder having a base rail and a movable rail is disclosed. In one embodiment, the boat ladder alarm system includes a first bracket, a second bracket, and a sensor system. The sensor system is configured to trigger an alarm when the first bracket and the second bracket are unconnected and to turn off the alarm when the first bracket and the second bracket are connected. In this manner, if the foldable boat ladder is unfolded and someone is trying to climb on the boat, the alarm is triggered to warn the boat operator that it is not safe to turn on the boat engine. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A boat ladder alarm system for a foldable boat ladder having a base rail and a movable rail, comprising: a first bracket configured to connect to both the base rail and the movable rail of the foldable boat ladder when the foldable boat ladder is folded and to connect to the base rail and disconnect from the movable rail when the foldable boat ladder is unfolded; a second bracket configured to connect to the movable rail and the first bracket when the foldable boat ladder is folded and to connect to the movable rail and disconnect from the first bracket when the foldable boat ladder is unfolded; a sensor system configured to trigger an alarm when the first bracket and the second bracket are unconnected and to turn off the alarm when the first bracket and the second bracket are connected. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The boat ladder alarm system of claim 1, wherein the first bracket comprises: a first grip configured to receive the base rail; and a second grip configured to receive the moving rail when the foldable boat ladder is folded and to release the moving rail when the foldable boat ladder is unfolded. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The boat ladder alarm system of claim 2, wherein the first grip and the second grip are attached. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The boat ladder alarm system of claim 2, wherein the first grip comprises an open loop that defines an opening for receiving the base rail. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The boat ladder alarm system of claim 4, wherein the first grip further comprises a back section that attaches to the open loop around the base rail. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The boat ladder alarm system of claim 2, wherein the second grip comprises an open loop that defines an opening for receiving the movable rail when the foldable boat ladder is folded and for releasing the movable rail when the foldable boat ladder is unfolded. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The boat ladder alarm system of claim 2, wherein the first grip and the second grip connect at an intersection and the sensor system comprises a sensor, wherein the boat ladder alarm system further comprises a section that extends vertically downward from the intersection and defines a sensor aperture for receiving the sensor. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The boat ladder alarm system of claim 7, wherein the sensor system further comprises a magnet that is provided in the second bracket so as to face the sensor when the foldable boat ladder is folded so that the alarm is turned off and is configured so that the magnet does not face the sensor and so that the alarm is turned on when the foldable boat ladder is unfolded. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The boat ladder alarm system of claim 8, wherein the second bracket comprises an open loop and a back section, wherein the open loop defines an opening for receiving the movable rail and the back section attaches to the open loop so as to close the opening. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The boat ladder alarm system of claim 9, wherein the magnet is received in the back section. ### Claim 11 A boat ladder alarm system for a foldable boat ladder having a base rail and a movable rail of a boat, comprising: a first bracket configured to connect to both the base rail and the movable rail of the foldable boat ladder when the foldable boat ladder is folded and to connect to the base rail and disconnect from the movable rail when the foldable boat ladder is unfolded; a second bracket configured to connect to the movable rail and the first bracket when the foldable boat ladder is folded and to connect to the movable rail and disconnect from the first bracket when the foldable boat ladder is unfolded; a sensor system configured to prevent the boat from starting when the first bracket and the second bracket are unconnected and to allow the boat to start when the first bracket and the second bracket are connected. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The boat ladder alarm system of claim 11, wherein the first bracket comprises: a first grip configured to receive the base rail; and a second grip configured to receive the moving rail when the foldable boat ladder is folded and to release the moving rail when the foldable boat ladder is unfolded. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The boat ladder alarm system of claim 12, wherein the first grip and the second grip are attached. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The boat ladder alarm system of claim 12, wherein the first grip comprises an open loop that defines an opening for receiving the base rail. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The boat ladder alarm system of claim 14, wherein the first grip further comprises a back section that attaches to the open loop around the base rail. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The boat ladder alarm system of claim 12, wherein the second grip comprises an open loop that defines an opening for receiving the movable rail when the foldable boat ladder is folded and for releasing the movable rail when the foldable boat ladder is unfolded. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The boat ladder alarm system of claim 12, wherein the first grip and the second grip connect at an intersection and the sensor system comprises a sensor, wherein the boat ladder alarm system further comprises a section that extends vertically downward from the intersection and defines a sensor aperture for receiving the sensor. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The boat ladder alarm system of claim 17, wherein the sensor system further comprises a magnet that is provided in the second bracket so as to face the sensor when the foldable boat ladder is folded so that boat is allowed to start and is configured so that the magnet does not face the sensor and so that the boat is prevented from starting when the foldable boat ladder is unfolded. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The boat ladder alarm system of claim 18, wherein the second bracket comprises an open loop and a back section, wherein the open loop defines an opening for receiving the movable rail and the back section attaches to the open loop so as to close the opening. ### Claim 20 A boat ladder alarm system for a foldable boat ladder, comprising: a first gripper; a second gripper oppositely disposed to the first gripper and attaching to the first gripper at an intersection; a section that extends vertically from the intersection; a third gripper; a sensor system configured such that an alarm is turned off when the third gripper engages the section and is turned on when the third gripper is disengaged from the section.