Vessel guidance system
OwnerPeter Tishenkoinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A vessel guidance system is used with a boat trailer typically having a frame formed of a pair of side rails with numerous transverse rails ding therebetween. The guidance system includes a pair of elongated, buoyant supports, each hingedly attached to the front end of one the trailer side rails. Each support configured to receive a pontoon or a discrete portion of a boat hull. Extending from the rear end of each support is a V-shaped guide for capturing the nose cone and the skeg on a pontoon or boat hull. Once the hull or pontoon is captured, the vessel is guided onto the supports as the vessel is further propelled onto the trailer. As the towing vehicle withdraws the trailer from the water, the supports gradually lower the vessel onto the trailer frame.
Claims19
In combination with a vessel trailer having a pair of side rails, said side rails each having a front end and a rear end, a vessel guidance system comprising:
- a buoyant support pivotally mounted on said trailer, wherein said support is an arrow-shaped insert positioned between said side rails, said insert mounted on a bracket pivotally attached to the rear end of said trailer that allows said insert to freely lift and pivot relative to said trailer, said insert dimensioned and configured to fit firmly between a pair of spaced pontoons on a vessel to guide said vessel onto said trailer.
In combination with a vessel trailer having a pair of side rails, said side rails each having a front end and a rear end, a vessel guidance system comprising:
- a first buoyant support pivotally mounted on said trailer, said first buoyant support having a front end and a rear end, the front end of said first elongated buoyant support hingedly attached to one of the trailer side rails, proximal the front end thereof, said first elongated buoyant support configured to mate with a hull portion of a discrete vessel whereby when the trailer is placed in a body of water, said first elongated buoyant support floats on the body of water to guide said vessel onto said trailer;
- a V-shaped guide extending from the rear end of said first elongated buoyant support for capturing a nose cone and a skeg of a vessel approaching the trailer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.