Systems for lifting and stowing water-borne vessels
OwnerJohn Livingstoninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for lifting and stowing water-borne vessels. The systems and methods can be used, for example, to lift a small vessel, such an inflatable dinghy, onto a larger water-borne vessel equipped with an outboard motor; and to stow the dinghy above the outboard motor. The systems and methods permit the dinghy to be lifted out of the water from a position behind the larger vessel, with any need to remove, disassemble, or move the outboard motor.
Claims26
A system for lifting and stowing a water-borne vessel, comprising:
- a first and a second mounting bracket configured to be secured to a substantially horizontal mounting surface;
- and a lifting frame comprising a first and a second side and configured to rotate in relation to the first and second mounting brackets between a first and a second angular position;
- wherein:
- the first side of the lifting bracket comprises a first side member coupled to and rotatable in relation to first mounting bracket;
- a third side member connected to the first side member;
- and a fifth side member connected to the first and third side members and configured to provide a supporting surface for the water-borne vessel;
- the second side of the lifting bracket comprises a second side member coupled to and rotatable in relation to the second mounting bracket;
- a fourth side member connected to the second side member;
- and a sixth side member connected to the second and fourth side members and configured to provide another supporting surface for the water-borne vessel;
- the fifth and the sixth side members each have a substantially horizontal orientation when the lifting frame is in the second angular position;
- and
- the first and second mounting brackets are configured to restrain the respective first and second side members from rotating in a direction away from the first angular position when the lifting frame is in the second angular position.
A method for lifting a water-borne vessel onto a boat having an outboard motor, comprising:
- connecting a first side of the water-borne vessel to a cross member of a lifting frame mounted on the boat;
- applying a force to a second side of the water-borne vessel to flip the water-borne vessel onto lifting frame;
- and
- applying additional force to the second side of the water-borne vessel to move the lifting frame so as to position the water-borne vessel over the outboard motor.
A system for lifting and stowing a first water-borne vessel on a second water-borne vessel, the second water-borne vessel having an outboard motor mounted on a stern of the second water-borne vessel, the system comprising:
- a first and a second mounting bracket configured to be secured to a mounting surface on the second water-borne vessel;
- and a lifting frame coupled to and configured to rotate in relation to the first and second mounting brackets between a first and a second angular position;
- wherein:
- the lifting frame is configured so that the first and second sides of the lifting frame are located on opposite sides of the outboard motor when the lifting frame is in the first angular position;
- and in the lifting frame is further configured to support the first water-borne vessel above the outboard motor when the lifting frame is in the second angular position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.