# US 8,770,130 B2 · Dock-side cradle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,770,130 B2 - Document ID: US8770130B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/214,931 - Filed: 2011-08-22 - Published: 2012-06-21 - Granted: 2014-07-08 - Earliest claimed: 2010-12-20 - Applicants: Richard A Holmes - Inventors: Richard A Holmes - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8770130B2 ## CPC - B63C 1/12: Docks adapted for special vessels, e.g. submarines - B63B 34/26: Accessories for canoes, kayaks or the like (effecting propulsion by muscle power B63H16/00; outboard propulsion units B63H20/00) - B63C 3/12: using cradles (vehicles in general for transporting boats or the like B60P) - E02B 3/20: Equipment for shipping on coasts, in harbours or on other fixed marine structures, e.g. bollards (tying-up, anchoring B63B21/00, e.g. bollards for shipping B63B21/06; buoys B63B22/00 {; equipment specially adapted for use in locks or dry docks E02C1/10}) - 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) - 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) - E02B: HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING (ship-lifting E02C; dredging E02F) ## Abstract A dock-side cradle for providing a safe point of entry into and out of a personal watercraft such as a canoe or kayak launching and landing same. The cradle is trough-shaped and is open at each end, with a slight slope from one end to the other. Preferably the trough is defined by a plurality of support arms in spaced separation from one another which are connected to a pair of guiding elements. The cradle is adapted to be hingedly connected to a dock so that it can be positioned in the water for use, or rotated up onto the dock when not in use. The cradle is equipped with handrails connecting to the support arms and the support arms themselves may be extendable in order to accommodate varying water levels in relation to the dock. The cradle may be sold as a kit. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A dock-side cradle for connecting to a dock and supporting a personal watercraft during entry and exit comprising: a plurality of trough-shaped support arms in spaced separation from one another, each support arm being connectable at one end to said dock; a pair of guiding elements connected to said support arms; at least one railing connectable to at least one of said support arms; and wherein each of said plurality of trough-shaped support arms is U-shaped, and wherein said U-shape is defined by a pair of vertical arms and a V-shaped angled bottom. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The dock-side cradle of claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of support arms is connected to an elongated connecting element, said elongated connecting element being connectable to said dock. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The dock-side cradle of claim 2 wherein said elongated connecting element is hingedly connected to said support arms such that said cradle is hingedly connectable to said dock. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The dock-side cradle of claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of support arms is connected to a respective connecting element, the respective connecting elements being connectable to said dock. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The dock-side cradle of claim 4 wherein each of said respective connecting elements is hingedly connected to said plurality of support arms such that said cradle is hingedly connectable to said dock. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The dock-side cradle of claim 1 wherein said plurality of support arms comprise a telescoping elevator arm. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The dock-side cradle of claim 1 wherein said plurality of trough-shaped support arms are hingedly connectable to said dock. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The dock-side cradle of claim 1 wherein said vertical arms of each of said plurality of support arms being a different length such that said guiding elements slope from a first end to a second end. ### Claim 9 A dock-side cradle for connecting to a dock and supporting a personal watercraft during entry and exit comprising: a plurality of trough-shaped support arms in spaced separation from one another, each support arm being connectable at one end to said dock; a pair of guiding elements connected to said support arms; at least one railing connectable to at least one of said support arms; and wherein said plurality of trough-shaped support arms comprises at least three support arms. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The dock-side cradle of claim 9 wherein each of said plurality of support arms is connected to an elongated connecting element, said elongated connecting element being connectable to said dock. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The dock-side cradle of claim 10 wherein said elongated connecting element is hingedly connected to said support arms such that said cradle is hingedly connectable to said dock. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The dock-side cradle of claim 9 wherein each of said plurality of support arms is connected to a respective connecting element, the respective connecting elements being connectable to said dock. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The dock-side cradle of claim 12 wherein each of said respective connecting elements is hingedly connected to said plurality of support arms such that said cradle is hingedly connectable to said dock. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The dock-side cradle of claim 9 wherein said plurality of support arms comprise a telescoping elevator arm. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The dock-side cradle of claim 9 wherein each of said at least three support arms being a different depth such that said guiding elements slope from a first end to a second end.