Small Watercraft Boatlift
AssigneeE-Z-Dock, Inc.
InventorsDustin Imel, David J. Sturtevant
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A boatlift for use with small, manual or paddle or oar powered watercraft (such as canoes and kayaks) is provided with a guide rails on either side of the boat lift, which can be utilized by a boater to propel or urge his/her watercraft onto the boatlift. In addition, that boatlift is provided with an entrance/exit assist member which can be used by boaters with impaired leg function to enter and exit from the watercraft. The boatlift can be provided with a bench system which enables disabled persons to more easily enter and exit from small watercraft supported by the boatlift.
Claims40
A boatlift for paddle or oar powered watercraft, the boatlift comprising an elongate cradle, decking on opposite sides of said cradle, an entrance ramp to said cradle, and a first guide rail positioned on one side of said cradle and a second guide rail positioned on a second side of said cradle opposite said first side;
- said first and second guide rails each comprising an approach portion extending rearwardly of said boatlift ramp and a boatlift portion extending along said boatlift cradle;
- each said guide rail further comprising at least one grab bar extending generally horizontally along said rail;
- said at least one grab bar being positioned on said guide rail to be at a height where a boater sitting in a paddle or oar powered watercraft could reach said grab bar;
- said first and second guide rails being spaced apart from each other a distance sufficient to allow a paddle or oar powered boat to pass therebetween, yet allowing a boater to simultaneously grab the grab bars of both said first and second guide rails.
A docking system comprising a dock and a boatlift adjacent said dock;
- the boatlift comprising an elongate cradle, decking on opposite sides of said cradle, an entrance ramp to said cradle, and a first guide rail positioned on one side of said cradle and a second guide rail positioned on a second side of said cradle opposite said first side;
- said first and second guide rails each comprising an approach portion extending rearwardly of said boatlift ramp and a boatlift portion extending along said boatlift cradle;
- each said guide rail further comprising at least one grab bar extending generally horizontally along said rail;
- said at least one grab bar being positioned on said guide rail to be at a height where a boater sitting in a paddle or oar powered watercraft could reach said grab bar;
- said first and second guide rails being spaced apart from each other a distance sufficient to allow a paddle or oar powered boat to pass therebetween, yet allowing a boater to simultaneously grab the grab bars of both said first and second guide rails.
A bench system comprising a bench having bench body having a front surface, a back surface, side surfaces, a top surface and a bottom surface;
- said front surface extending generally parallel to an edge of said dock and defining at least one slot;
- said bench further comprising at least one slide being received within said bench;
- said bench body including a support which supports at least one slide within said bench body to be aligned with said at least one slot;
- said at least one slide being movable through said at least one slot between a retracted position and an extended position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.