Boat lift
OwnerKenneth F. Flowerinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a boat lift system, including: a pair of lift frames, each of the lift frames disposed across longitudinally spaced apart pilings or support posts; a pair of lifting mechanisms, each one of the lifting mechanisms disposed in one of the lift frames, each of the lifting mechanisms including a ball screw mechanism, including a ball screw in communication with a motor and a ball nut, the ball screw mechanism configured to selectively wind a winch cable; and a lift platform in communication with the winch cable and configured to be selectively raised and lowered with the winch cable via the pair of lifting mechanisms.
Claims20
A boat lift system for raising and lowering a boat, comprising:
- a pair of lift frames, each of the lift frames configured to be disposed across longitudinally spaced apart pilings;
- a lift platform configured to be selectively raised and lowered;
- and
- a lifting mechanism disposed in each of the lift frames, the lifting mechanism including a ball screw mechanism having a ball screw rotationally coupled to a motor, a ball nut, and a winch cable coupling the ball nut to the lift platform, the winch cable directly connected at two points on the lift platform, wherein movement of the winch cable via the ball screw mechanism is operable to selectively raise and lower the lift platform.
A method of installing a boat lift for raising and lowering a boat, comprising:
- providing a boat lift system including:
- a pair of lift frames, each of the lift frames configured to be disposed across longitudinally spaced apart pilings;
- a lift platform configured to be selectively raised and lowered;
- and
- a lifting mechanism disposed in each of the lift frames, the lifting mechanism including a ball screw mechanism having a ball screw rotationally coupled to a motor, a ball nut, and a winch cable coupling the ball nut to the lift platform, the winch cable directly connected at two points on the lift platform, wherein movement of the winch cable via the ball screw mechanism is operable to selectively raise and lower the lift platform;
- providing two sets of two longitudinally spaced apart pilings or support posts wherein the each of the sets are spaced apart;
- installing one of the lift frames across one of the sets of the longitudinally spaced apart pilings or support posts and another one of the lift frames across the other one of the longitudinally spaced apart pilings or support posts.
A method of using a boat lift for raising and lowering a boat, comprising:
- providing a boat lift system in a lowered position, the boat lift including:
- a pair of lift frames, each of the lift frames configured to be disposed across longitudinally spaced apart pilings;
- a lift platform configured to be selectively raised and lowered;
- and
- a lifting mechanism disposed in each of the lift frames, the lifting mechanism including a ball screw mechanism having a ball screw rotationally coupled to a motor, a ball nut, and a winch cable coupling the ball nut to the lift platform, the winch cable directly connected at two points on the lift platform, wherein movement of the winch cable via the ball screw mechanism is operable to selectively raise and lower the lift platform;
- positioning a boat within the boat lift;
- and
- actuating the boat lift, thereby placing the boat in an elevated position for maintenance, storage, or other purposes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.