BOAT SUPPORT FLOATING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF

Abstract

A boat support elevator is presented. The boat support elevator comprises a frame and a plurality of ballasts secured to the frame; each ballast being connected with a tube for managing air volume in each ballast. Also presented a ballast system comprising an air pump, and a plurality of ballasts each secured fluidly connected to the pump through a pressuring port, and comprising a drain port for water to enter and exit the ballasts. According to one aspect, some ballasts are connected to the air pump through a connection to another ballast. Also presented a ballast comprising a top protrusion and a bottom protrusion for minimizing undesired restrained air and water.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from U.S. provisional patent applications 63/135,815 filed Jan. 11, 2021 and 63/182,301 filed Apr. 30, 2021, the specifications of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the field of boat supports and docks. Specifically, the present invention relates to a floating system and method of use thereof for a boat support and a floating dock.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Boat supports are used to support boats in water and generally provides a means for raising the boat out of water when the boat is not in use. This is preventing the boat to repetitively be hit by waves in addition to prevent algae formation on the hull. Boat supports are made of strong materials adapted to resist corrosion, like aluminum or stainless, and support the mechanical load provided by the boat. The boat support has significant size and weight. Installing the boat support in its desired place in water and removing the boat support from the water can represent a significant challenge. Installing and removing boat supports is generally a yearly practice in cold climate where water is freezing to prevent damaging the boat support with ice during winter season. This has to be done generally manually with people in water despite its generally cold temperature in spring and in fall. Floating docks are typically used in shoreside water areas where water depth is significant. Installing and removing floating docks is generally a yearly practice in cold climate where water is freezing to prevent damaging the floating docks with ice during winter season. Although floating docks gain stability with greater weight and size, the necessity of seasonal installation and retrieval has resulted in manufacturers providing the market with lighter and smaller floating docks, thus resulting in unstable docks.

It is therefore desirable to provide an improved way to install and remove a boat support over the existing prior art. It is also desirable to provide such a system for floating docks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes many aspects and features. The aforesaid and other objectives of the present invention are realized by generally providing a boat rack floating apparatus and floating dock apparatus and method of use thereof.

Among other aspects and objects, the present invention is providing a system for selectively sinking and floating a boat rack for installation in a predetermined location in water and for removing the boat rack when required, hence alleviating the process.

One aspect of the invention provides in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, a boat lift floating system including a plurality of ballasts that are adapted to be filled with water for sinking the boat lift and adapted to fill with air the said ballasts for lifting the boat lift.

One aspect of the invention provides, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, a boat support floating system including a plurality of ballasts sized and designed to generally match a V-shaped boat lift platform designed to accommodate a boat hull.

One aspect of the invention provides, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, a ballast including at least one bottom opening disposed in a downward protrusion thereof for preventing undesirable fluid exchange inside the ballast when the ballast is pivoted at an angle from horizontal and the air outlet closed.

One other aspect of the invention provides, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, a ballast securing mechanism configured to secure the ballast to the boat support in a position not interfering with the ground and the boat or both.

One other aspect of the invention provides, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, a water-stopping valve configured to prevent water to enter the air pump when vacuuming air from the ballasts.

One other aspect of the invention provides, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, a three-ballasts boat lift floating system balancing the boat support in consideration of the uneven weight distribution of the boat support.

One other aspect of the invention provides, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, a dock floating system configured to lift and sink a dock equipped with ballasts.

One aspect of the invention provides, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, a dock floating system including a keel stabilizing the dock when floating with the ballasts and sinking when the ballasts are filled with water and to add stability when the dock is afloat.

One other aspect of the invention provides, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, a method for sinking and lifting a boat support with actuating a shore-side or deep-side of the boat support first to stabilize the boat support during the process. The boat support is preferably actuated on a single one of the shore side or the deep side at the time to increase stability of the operation and prevent the boat support from tipping over during the sinking and bringing afloat processes.

Another one of the aspects of the invention provides, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, a method of pumping air in and out of the ballasts in an asymmetrical sequence.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a boat support elevator including: a rigid frame including a boat receiving support; and a plurality of ballasts secured to the rigid frame, a connection connecting at least two of the plurality of ballasts into a combination of ballasts, with the combination of ballasts being adapted to be fluidly connected to an air-pump system for controlling air volume in each one of the ballasts of the combination of ballasts, wherein control of air volume in the combination of ballasts allows to control both elevation and slope of the combination of ballasts and according of the frame.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a boat support elevator, further including a boat receiving support secured to the frame and adapted to interface with a hull of the boat.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a boat support elevator, wherein the ballasts are secured to the frame below the boat receiving support.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a boat support elevator, wherein the frame has a longitudinal orientation and a transversal orientation, and wherein the ballasts of the combination of ballasts are secured to the frame neighbor to each other relative to the longitudinally orientation.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a boat support elevator, wherein the plurality of ballasts includes at least two ballasts secured to the frame neighbor to each other relative to the transversal orientation.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a boat support elevator, wherein the ballasts have a top and a bottom, and wherein at least one of the plurality of ballasts includes a drain port located about the bottom for water to enter and exit the ballast through the drain port.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a boat support elevator, wherein at least one of the plurality of ballasts includes a pressurizing port located about the top for air to be force in and exit the ballast through the pressurizing port.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a boat support elevator, wherein at least one of the plurality of ballasts includes a connection portion including a hole to secure the plurality of ballasts to the frame.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a boat support elevator, wherein at least one of the plurality of ballasts includes a bottom wall and a protruding portion extending below the bottom wall.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a boat support elevator, wherein the bottom wall is sloped.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a boat support elevator, wherein at least one of the plurality of ballasts includes a top wall and a protruding portion extending above the top wall.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a boat support elevator, wherein the top wall includes an inclined portion.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a boat support elevator, wherein the connection is connected to about the top of a first ballast of the combination of ballasts and to about the bottom of a second ballast of the combination of ballasts, wherein the connection is fluidly connecting the ballasts of the combination of ballasts.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a boat support elevator, wherein the connection is further connected to about the top of the second ballast and including a one-way valve limiting fluid direction through the top connection of the second ballast.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a ballast for an immersible boat support elevator or a dock, including: at least one vertical wall, a bottom wall and a top wall; a top protruding portion extending above the top wall; and a bottom protruding portion extending below the bottom wall, wherein therethrough the ballast defines a room for air and water extending above the top wall and below the bottom wall.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a ballast, wherein the top protruding portion includes a pressurizing port located above the top wall for fluid exchange.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a ballast, wherein the bottom protruding portion includes a drain port located below the bottom wall for fluid exchange.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a ballast system for an immersible boat support or a dock including: an air pump, a plurality of ballasts, a connection connecting at least two of the plurality of ballasts into a combination of ballasts, wherein the air air-pump system is adapted for controlling air volume in each one of the ballasts of the combination of ballasts, and wherein control of air volume in the combination of ballasts allows to control both elevation and slope of the combination of ballasts.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to the ballasts system, wherein the combination of ballasts includes a first ballast and a second ballast neighboring each other, with the connection fluidly connecting the drain port of the first ballast to a pressurizing port of the second ballast.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to the ballast system of claim 19, wherein the connection is further connected to about the top of the second ballast and including a one-way valve limiting fluid direction through the top connection of the second ballast.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. Other and further aspects and advantages of the present invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiments about to be described or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a rear-right isometric view of a boat support in accordance with principles and embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of a boat support in accordance with principles and embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of a pair of ballasts in accordance with principles and embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 to FIG. 12 are various isometric views of brackets for securing ballasts to the boat support, and partial views of the boat support illustrating the installation of the brackets in accordance with principles and embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 13 and 14 are respectively a top view a bottom view of a ballast in the water in accordance with principles and embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a side view of a ballast during the sinking process depicting the position of the bottom hole relative to the water level;

FIG. 16 is an isometric view of an air-pump installation in accordance with principles and embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 17-18 are respectively a front-right exploded perspective view and a rear-right exploded cross-section view of a one-way valve in accordance with principles and some embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 19-20 are respectively an isometric view and a top view of a boat support in accordance with principles and embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 21-25 are flow charts illustrating methods for operating the system in accordance with principles and embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 26-30 are respectively a bottom isometric view, a top isometric view, a side elevation view, and side elevation views of a dock floating and immersed, wherein the views are illustrating ballasts used in conjunction with a dock in accordance with principles and embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 31-34 are respectively a bottom view, a top view, a side view and a cross-section perspective view of a ballast for use with a dock in accordance with principles and embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 35-38 are respectively a perspective view, a side elevation view, a top view and a bottom view of a ballast in accordance with principles and embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 39 and FIG. 40 are respectively a partial perspective view of respectively the boat support and of the securing of the ballast to the square tubing and the securing of the square tubing to the longitudinal beams in accordance with principles and embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 41 and FIG. 42 are perspective views of respectively a first bracket used and a second bracket as depicted on FIG. 40 in accordance with principles and embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 43 and FIG. 44 are respectively an isometric view of the boat support and a partial top view of the boat support in accordance with principles and embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 45-47 are side views of a combination of ballasts connected to each other illustrating the process of sinking and raising the ballasts in accordance with principles and embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 48 is a schematic plan view of a dock train comprising a plurality of dock units in accordance with principles and embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 49-51 are flow charts illustrating methods for installing and operating the system in accordance with principles and embodiments of the present invention depicted at least partially through FIGS. 45 and 46;

FIGS. 52 and 53 are perspective views of exemplary boat structures adapted for or with hydraulic components in accordance with principles and embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 54 is a perspective partial view of a boat structure with a ballast adapted for a boat support comprising a hydraulic mechanism in accordance with principles and embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 55 is a perspective partial view of the boat structure of FIG. 54 illustrating the mounting of the ballast thereto;

FIG. 56 is an isometric partial view of the boat structure of FIG. 54 with no hydraulic mechanism mounted thereto illustrating the mounting positions of the ballasts in accordance with principles and embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 57-59 are respectively a perspective view of a before installation, a side view of the self-tightening port before the bushing being compressed, and a side view of the self-tightening port with the bushing compressed in accordance with principles and embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 60 is a front view of a partial portion of a ballast ready to mount the self-tightening port thereto; and

FIG. 61 is a side view of the self-tightening port of FIGS. 57 to 59 mounted to the partial portion of the wall of a ballast illustrated on FIG. 60 in accordance with principles and embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As a preliminary matter, it will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the relevant art (“Ordinary Artisan”) that the invention has broad utility and application. Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as being “preferred” is considered to be part of a best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention. Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrative purposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. Furthermore, an embodiment of the invention may incorporate only one or a plurality of the aspects of the invention discloses herein; only one or a plurality of the features disclosed herein; or combination thereof. As such, many embodiments are implicitly disclosing herein and fall within the scope of what is regarded as the invention.

Accordingly, while the invention is described herein in detail in relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the invention and is made merely for purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The detailed disclosure herein of one or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the scope of patent protection afforded the invention in any claim of a patent issuing here from, which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof. II is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitation found herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.

Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps of various processes or methods that are described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, although steps of various processes or methods may be shown and described as being in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps in such processes or methods generally may be carried out in various different sequences and orders while still falling within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the invention is to be defined by the issued claim(s) rather than the description set forth herein.

Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein to that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to mean bases on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that the meaning of a term used herein-as understood by the Ordinary Artisan based on the contextual use of such term-differs in any way from any particular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that the meaning of the term as understood by the Ordinary Artisan should prevail.

With regard solely to construction of any claim with respect to the United States, no claim element is to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the explicit phrase “means for” or “step for” is actually used in such claim element, whereupon this statutory Provision is intended to and should apply in the interpretation of such claim element with regard to any method claim including a condition precedent step, such method requires the condition precedent to be met and the step to be performed at least once during performance of the claimed method.

Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an” each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having an apple” describes “a picnic basket having at least one apple” as well as “a picnic basket having apples.” In contrast, reference to “a picnic basket having a single apple” describes “a picnic basket having only one apple.”

When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one of the items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese or crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese without crackers.” “a picnic basket having crackers without cheese”, and “a picnic basket having both cheese and crackers.” When used herein to join a list of items, “and” denotes “all of the items of the list.” Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese and crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese, wherein the picnic basket further has crackers,” as well as describes “a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basket further has cheese.”.

Referring the drawings, one or more preferred embodiments of the invention are next described. The following description of one or more preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its implementations, or uses. Hence, a novel boat support floating system will be described herein after.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, a boat elevator, also referred to as a boat support 10, for accommodating a boat 12 thereon to lift the boat 12 out of water when the boat 12 is not in use is illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, which boat 12 is not shown in FIG. 1. The boat support 10 includes a frame 14 with a longitudinal axis 16 with a plurality of extendable posts 18 ending with feet 19, a pair of longitudinal beams 20 and a pair of transverse beams 22, angled braces 26 and a movable boat lift platform 30. An upper member 28 is secured between the two water side posts 18. The boat lift platform 30 is constituted of a pair of boat-receiving supports 34 (although more than a pair can be used for a pontoon, for example) secured to transversal members 38 interconnected with longitudinal members 42. Other securing positions can be used depending on the design of the boat support. The boat lift platform 30 is vertically movable between a low position 46, when the boat is floating in water to engage the boat on the boat lift platform 30, and the illustrated high position 50 for lifting the boat out of water. The illustrated boat support 10 can be used in combination with a variety of components and not all of the components might be required for actuating the boat support 10. In the present situation, the boat support 10 is manually actuated between the low position 46 and the high position 50 using a rotating wheel 54 rotatably secured to the frame 14. The boat support 10 is designed to be installed in the water next to a dock and the rotating wheel 54 is disposed on a dock side of the boat support 10 to be actuated by someone standing on the dock. The rotating wheel 54 is configured to pull on a wire mechanism (not visible on the drawings) routed in a configuration adapted to vertically actuate the boat lift platform 30 between the low position 46 and the high position 50. Other models of boat support 10 can be electrically actuated for lifting the boat, or may comprise hydraulic parts adapted therefor. The present system is adapted to be installed on that type of boat support 10 without departing from the scope of the invention.

One can appreciate the boat support 10 includes a pair of ballasts 60 secured to the frame 14 of the boat support 10 on the deep side and another pair of ballasts 60 secured to the frame 14 of the boat support 10 on the shore side. Preferably, to maximize stability, the ballasts 60 are mounted the most distant from each other while remaining within the periphery of the frame 14, thus not requiring more clearance between the boat support 10 and the dock when raising or winking the boat support 10. Each ballast 60 from the pair of ballasts 60 on the deep side is connected with a tube 64 to a one-way valve 68. Similarly, each ballast 60 from the pair of ballasts 60 on the shore side is connected with a tube 64 to a second one-way valve 68. The tubes 64 connected to their respective ballast 60 are used to pump air in the ballasts 60 or remove air from the ballasts 60 to fill them with water through their drain holes.

The ballasts 60, as embodied in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 have a generally quadrilateral shape with two pairs of opposed vertical walls 80, 84 and a top portion 88 and a bottom portion 92. A top corner 96 of each ballast 60 includes an inclined plane 100 sized and designed to provide additional room for accommodating the “V” hull 104 of the boat 12. A plurality of protruded drain portions 108 are disposed on the bottom of each ballast 60 to let water inside the ballast 60 when air is removed from the ballast 60. This function will be described below in more details.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are depicting ballasts connectors 120, each including a pair of plates 124 assembled with a connection member 128 configured to be secured to a connection portion 132 disposed on corners of each ballast 60 as illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. The pair of plates 124 being designed to be secured to beams 20, 22 of the frame 14. Another type of bracket 140 is illustrated in FIG. 8 to secure the connection portion 132 of the ballasts 60 together with a connector plate 144 as shown in FIG. 9. A wheel axle 148 can be assembled to the connection member 128 in case wheels (not shown) are desirably added to the boat support 10 for moving the boat support on the ground. The ballasts 60 assembly can be appreciated in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, where FIG. 11 is showing the interaction with the boat lift platform 30 and the frame 14.

The top portion 88 of the ballast 60 includes some protruding identification letters 152, as illustrated in FIG. 13, and the inclined plane 100 that has been discussed above. FIG. 14 is showing, on the bottom portion 92, a plurality of concave or convex portions 156 to increase the rigidity of the ballasts 60. A plurality of connection portions 132 disposed at the corners of the ballast 60 can also be appreciated from FIG. 13 and FIG. 14. Additionally, side indentations 160 are also provided around the ballast 60 for increasing stiffness and rigidity of the side walls of the ballasts 60. The drain portions 108 are designed protruding from the bottom portion 92 of the ballast 60 with an addition depth wall portion 164 circumventing a bottom hole 168 for allowing water to get in the ballast 60 when the ballast 60 is angled. Indeed, should the hole 168 be directly performed on the bottom portion 92 of the ballast 60, the lateral force component of the air pressure in the ballast 60 does not have an opposed force since water pressure only acts vertically and air will escape. The drain portion 108 creates a small volume in the recess and a small amount of water entering the hole 168 is sufficient to block the hole 168 and balance pressure equilibrium in the drain portion 108.

According to a preferred realization, the ballasts 60 are made of high density polyethylene (HDPE) initially free of ports. At the installation process, the ballasts 60 are machined to install the ports at the desired locations based on the intended mounting location of the ballasts 60.

Moving now to FIG. 16 depicting an air pump 174 equipped with a manifold 178 communicating with two valves 182 and respective outlets 184 configured to operatively connect the one-way valve 68 illustrated in detail in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18. The one-way valve 68 includes a housing 186 equipped with a pair of openings 190, each opening 190 including an adaptor portion 188 housed in openings 190 in the housing 186 and communicating with an internal volume 192. The internal volume 192 includes an internal wall 196 to which is secured a holed membrane portion 200, acting as a flexible valve seat, and a baffle 204 with a series of openings 208 therein. The baffle 204 is sized and designed to receive therein a plug 212, embodied as a ball in the present example, that is adapted to move upward when water is rising in the one-way valve 68 to block the holed membrane portion 200 and prevent water to reach the pump 174. A seal 216 and a cover 220 with two tube connectors 224 are added to the assembly. The one-way valve 68 is thus used to stop water from reaching the pump 174 when the pump 174 is drawing air from the ballasts 60 that are filling up with water.

Turning now to FIG. 19 and FIG. 20 illustrating another embodiment using an uneven number of ballasts 60. In this embodiment, the amount of buoyancy is not equally required over the foot print of the boat support 10 considering the weight of the boat support 10 is not evenly distributed. For instance, elevator controls, the rotating wheel 54 and the mechanical linkages associated therewith are located on a corner of the boat support 10, at a higher location then the ballasts 60, therefore influencing the weight distribution of the boat support 10. A three-ballasts configuration 240 can be advantageous, requiring only three ballasts 60 instead of four for achieving the desired buoyancy and balance required to lift the boat support 10 without tipping over. Indeed, the mass distribution and the locations of the ballasts 60 are material to localize the angled pivot axis 244 representing the virtual balance pivot position of the boat support 10 when filling the ballasts 60 with air, lifting the boat support 10, and vice versa. The angled pivot axis 244 is the virtual line about which the boat support 10 is balanced and would not flip upside down given the uneven mass distribution that is mainly higher than the ballasts 60. The asymmetric distribution of the ballasts 60 is hence helping the boat support 10 to remain stable when it is lifted from the ground. The sinking and raising process with these embodiments involves sinking last a pair of ballasts to keep balance when sinking, and to fill first with pressurized air a pair of ballast for the same reason when raising. One can appreciate that a different number of ballasts 60 could be used in other embodiments in an asymmetric distribution without departing from the scope of the present specification.

The following figures are illustrating flowcharts related to the ballasts 60 installation in FIG. 21, the boat support 10 elevator sinking actuation in FIG. 22, the boat support 10 elevator floating actuation in FIG. 23 and in FIG. 24 and the boat support 10 elevator removal in FIG. 25.

FIG. 21 provides exemplary steps involved in the installation of the ballast in accordance with principles and at least one embodiment of the present invention, including the preparation of the ballasts, the securing process of the ballasts to the frame, and installation of the ducting involved in obtaining an operating boat support.

FIG. 22 provides exemplary steps involved in the operation of the boat support in accordance with principles and at least one embodiment of the present invention, including the sinking of the boat support. The exemplary method also lists ducting steps which, according to ducting configuration, may take place or be replaced e.g., with operation of valves.

FIG. 23 provides exemplary steps involved in raising the boat support in accordance with principles and at least one embodiment of the present invention. The exemplary method also lists ducting steps which, according to ducting configuration, may take place or be replaced e.g., with operation of valves.

FIG. 24 provides exemplary steps involved in sinking a dock in accordance with principles and at least one embodiment of the present invention. The exemplary method also lists ducting steps which, according to ducting configuration, may take place or be replaced e.g., with operation of valves.

FIG. 25 provides exemplary steps involved in removal of a boat support from a body of water for, e.g., winter season, in accordance with principles and at least one embodiment of the present invention. The exemplary method also lists of exemplary evaluation-related steps and ducting steps which may change according to ducting configuration of the boat support.

Now, we are going to discuss the elevator with the plurality of ballasts 60 applied to a dock 260 as illustrated in FIG. 26 throughout FIG. 30. The illustrated dock 260 is including a frame 264, a plurality of ballasts 268, a plurality of legs 272, a keel support 276 and a keel 280. The illustrated dock 260 includes four ballasts 268 that are designed with some differences compared to the ballasts 60 previously described. The differences with ballasts 268 embodied for the dock 260 will be discussed below. The dock 260 is intended to be used in water in a stationary fashion and removed in fall in locations where water is freezing to avoid damaging the dock 260. In so doing, the illustrated dock 260 includes four ballasts 268 symmetrically disposed in each corner. The ballasts 268 are secured to the dock 260 using the connection portions 132. The dock 260 also includes a keel 280, embodied as a concrete block, secured to a rigid securing keel support 276 below the ballasts 268 to stabilize the dock 260 and prevent any undesirable flip over. More than one keel 280 can be used without departing from the scope of the invention. Indeed, as illustrated in FIG. 29 and FIG. 30, the dock can be secured in water floating with the buoyancy of the ballasts 268 when the ballasts 268 are filled with air as depicted in FIG. 29. During winter, the dock 260 can be brought to shore and removed from the water to prevent any damages. Alternatively, to prevent any tedious manipulation of the dock 260, it is possible to remove air from the ballasts 268, ideally uniformly in each ballast 268 to maintain the dock 260 levelled and sink the dock 260 to a certain depth, although various amount of air/water could be required to reach the desired result. The keel 280 is allowing to sink the dock 260 while keeping it levelled when the remaining amount of air in the ballasts 268 is not sufficient to ensure its stability in water. This way, it is possible to leave the dock 260 sunk under the ice during winter and raise it in spring by inflating air in the ballasts 268 to reach the desired buoyancy level above water.

According to an embodiment not depicted, the keel 280 is replaced and/or accompanied with wave attenuator floats consisting in ballasts comprising openings for the floats to be less affected by water movement and for the water to fill the floats.

The ballasts 268 used for buoyancy of the dock 260 are designed differently from the ballasts 60 used for a boat support 10 because the boat support 10 is preferably sunk and raised one side at the time to ensure its stability given its high center of mass. A single drain portion 108 (FIG. 33) can be required in the ballasts 268 for use with the dock 260. The drain portion 108 is centered in the illustrated embodiment and can drain all water in the ballast 268 with the internal floor slope 284. Similar principles of operation can be used with the dock 260 and the boat support 10 with differences in the sequence of filling the ballasts 268 with water or with air.

Moving to FIG. 48, a dock may consist in a dock train 400 comprising a plurality of dock units 404, each comprising a plurality of ballasts 408 divided in individually controlled circuits 412. Ballasts 408 may be pressurized or depressurized following a protocol to sunk/raise one extremity of the dock train 400 before the reminder. In other words, the dock units 404 are sunk/raised gradually and according to a sequence, with ballasts 408 of a single dock unit 404 being depressurized/pressurized accordingly. This provides a solution to gradually, without generating undue stress to the structure, to sunk/raise the train dock 400.

According to operating conditions, docks 260 or dock trains 400 may be sunk until they are laid down on the bed of the body of water, or alternatively may be sunk to an intermediary depth where the dock 260 or dock train 400 may be anchored, e.g., FIG. 30 with concrete blocks and ropes, to prevent the dock 260 or dock train 400 to move away during, e.g., the winter season.

Moving now to FIGS. 45 to 47, ballasts 360 according to another embodiment have a generally quadrilateral shape with two pairs of opposed vertical walls 380, 384, a top wall 388 and a slightly V-shaped bottom wall 392. The ballast 360 includes an inclined plane 398 sized and designed to provide additional room for accommodating the “V” hull 104 of the boat 12. Two bottom protruding portions 364 are disposed on the bottom, extending below the bottom wall 392. The bottom protruding portion 364 on the shore side is equipped with a drain port 368 (see FIGS. 45 to 48) to provide path for water to enter and exit the ballast 360 when air is removed from or forced in the ballast 60. Two top protruding portions 366 are disposed on the top, extending above the top wall 388. The T-shape connection 330 is adapted for avoiding areas where water and/or air may be trapped when raising or sinking the boat support. Particularly, the T-shape connection 330 is adapted for its connection to the drain port 368 being no lower than horizontal when the boat structure is at the horizontal; preventing the tubing connected to the drain port 368 to act similarly to a P-trap when the slope of the boat support changes. At least one of the ballast 360 is equipped with a pressurizing port 370 (see FIGS. 45 to 48) to be connected to the air pump to fill the ballast 360 with air or empty the ballast 360 from air, thereby controlling the volume of water in the ballast 360. The ballasts 360 are also equipped with connection portions 374 for easily mounting the ballast 360 to the boat support 10 using brackets.

It is worth noting that the configuration of connected combination of ballasts 360′ and 360″ illustrated on FIGS. 45 and 46 allows, with a balanced weight/buoyancy of a boat support to singularly control pressure delivered to the ballasts 360 on both the dock side and on the water side. The self-regulating configuration of the ballasts 360 and the connection 330 in-between on each side result in a stable boat support sinking equally on the dock side and the water side without having to control individually the air pressure delivered to the ballasts 360.

Moving to FIG. 39 to FIG. 42, the ballasts 360 are mounted in pairs, one on the dock side and one on the water side, on a pair of square tubing 310 that can easily me mounted to the longitudinal beams 20 of the boat support 10 using U-bolts 322. Brackets 314 are adapted to provide room for the square tubing 310 and to secure the connection portions 374, thereby securing the ballast 360 to the square tubing 310. Backets 318 are adapted to provide room for the square tubing 310 and to receive the ends of the U-bolt 322 to secure the square tubing 310 to the longitudinal beams 20.

Moving to FIG. 43 and FIG. 44, boat elevator components may be mounted in various areas on the structure of the boat elevator, modifying the boat elevator's weight distribution. In case of mechanical features such as the box 326 being present, a buoyancy component 328 is mounted to the frame 14 for balancing the weights and buoyancy of the boat support 10 over the ballasts 360 and therefore being able to operate the ballast system with balanced pressure without having the obligation to add complex and expensive components to the ballast system.

Moving to FIG. 45 to FIG. 47, the ballasts 360 are preferably mounted in series according to their longitudinal positions. A T-shape connection 330 connects a pressurizing port 370 and drain port 368 of the ballast 360′ on the shore side to the pressurizing port 370 of the ballast 360″ on the deep side. The connection provides a solution for air and water between the ballasts 360′ and 360″, and to minimize the spaces where air or water is enclosed during the pressurizing and depressurizing phases. It further provides a solution for the ballast 360″ on the shore side to be filled with water before the ballast 360′ on the deep side.

Preferably, the connection 330 features a one-way valve 334 forcing air to travel from the drain port 368 of the ballast 360′ to the ballast 360″, forcing the ballast 360′ to empty from water before the ballast 360″ during the pressurizing process. It further allows water from the ballast 360″ to primarily fill the bottom of the ballast 360′ during the depressurizing process, stabilizing although the process and thus preventing the system to tip over.

Not illustrated, the system may be mounted to and operated to have the deep side to sink before the shore side. Sinking the shore side is a preferred mode of operation and of installation of the drain ports, pressuring ports and ducting may be performed for sinking the deep side before without departing from the scope of the method described herein.

As illustrated through a particular embodiment on FIGS. 43-44, the boat support 10 may also comprises additional buoyancy components used to provide controlled buoyancy to balance the weight and buoyancy of the boat support, with the number, location and characteristics of these additional buoyancy components depend on the boat support to retrofit, or structural or mechanical features of the boat support that would raise a lack of balance to the boat support.

Moving to FIGS. 49-51, flowcharts are provided to illustrate methods related to the installation of the ballast system illustrated at least partially on FIGS. 45 and 46 on the boat support on FIG. 49, the seasonal installation of the boat support 10 from shore to its intended in-water position on FIG. 51, and the seasonal removal of the boat support from in the water onto the shore.

FIG. 49 provides exemplary steps involved in the installation of the ballasts and ducting components of the ballast system illustrated at least partially on FIGS. 45 and 46 as additional buoyancy components in accordance with principles and at least one embodiment of the present invention, including the preparation of the ballasts, the securing process of the ballasts to the frame, and installation of the ducting involved in obtaining an operating boat support.

FIG. 50 provides exemplary steps involved in the installation of the boat support having the ballast system illustrated at least partially on FIGS. 45 and 46 mounted thereto into the water at the beginning of the boating season in accordance with principles and at least one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 51 provides exemplary steps involved in the removal of the boat support having the ballast system illustrated at least partially on FIGS. 45 and 46 mounted thereto from the water before the winter in accordance with principles and at least one embodiment of the present invention.

Moving to FIGS. 52 and 53, embodiments of the boat support 10 that may be, e.g., retrofitted with the ballast system may be adapted with hydraulic components 410 adapted to raise or lower a boat. Hydraulic components and hydraulic-components driving devices (not illustrated) are heavy, may raise a lack of balance of the boat support 10, and may require additional buoyancy the boat support 10.

Moving additionally to FIGS. 54 to 56, ballasts 460 of a different dimension may be used in these cases. Regardless of the boat support 10 to be retrofitted, and thus the dimension of the ballasts, the ballast system is preferably adapted to be operated using the same method.

Moving to FIGS. 57 to 61, mounting of the ballast system comprises the machining of the ballasts (e.g., ballasts 360) from an initial closed ballast into a ballast comprising drain port(s) and pressurizing port(s) with the location of the ports depending on the intended location of the ballast in the ballast system. A self-tightening port 420 are used for that object. Initially, the ballasts are drilled to have e.g., 1 inch diameter hole 416, at the desired locations, preferably on the top and bottom protruding portions. Once drilled, the internal extremity 424 and the bushing 434 of the tighten-enable port 420 is inserted in hole until the bushing 434 has passed the interior side 417 of the wall 418 of the ballast. The nut 430 is then screwed over the threaded portion 432 of the self-tightening port 420 (holding the hexagonal portion 440 to tighten) to compress the compressible bushing 434 between the inner shoulder 438 and the interior face 417 of the wall 418 and washer 428 abutting the exterior side 419 of the wall 418. When the nut 430 is appropriately tighten (see example FIG. 59), the bushing 434 is compressed, adopting a convex shape, and abutting the interior face 417 of the wall 418 of the ballast in such a way that it fills up the clearance between the circumference of the hole 416 and the self-tightening port 420, rendering the installation of the self-tightening port 420 airtight and watertight. Preferably, an additional washer 436 is mounted between the washer 428 and the nut 430. Once installed, ducting may be connected to the external extremity 442 of the self-tightening port 420.

Illustrated on FIGS. 57 to 59 is a self-tightening port 420 adapted to provide a pressurizing port once installed. A slightly different configuration of external extremity 438 may be used for drain ports (not illustrated) not intended to be connected to ducting, such different configuration not departing from the principle of the illustrated self-tightening port 420.

While illustrative and presently preferred embodiment(s) of the invention have been described in detail hereinabove, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed and that the appended claims are Intended to be construed to include such variations except insofar as limited by the prior Art.

Claims

1. A boat support elevator comprising:

a rigid frame comprising a boat receiving support; and

a plurality of ballasts secured to the rigid frame,

a connection connecting at least two of the plurality of ballasts into a combination of ballasts, with the combination of ballasts being adapted to be fluidly connected to an air-pump system for controlling air volume in each one of the ballasts of the combination of ballasts, wherein control of air volume in the combination of ballasts allows to control both elevation and slope of the combination of ballasts and according of the frame.

2. The boat support elevator of claim 1, further comprising a boat receiving support secured to the frame and adapted to interface with a hull of the boat.

3. The boat support elevator of claim 2, wherein the ballasts are secured to the frame below the boat receiving support.

4. The boat support elevator of claim 1, wherein the frame has a longitudinal orientation and a transversal orientation, and wherein the ballasts of the combination of ballasts are secured to the frame neighbor to each other relative to the longitudinally orientation.

5. The boat support elevator of claim 4, wherein the plurality of ballasts comprises at least two ballasts secured to the frame neighbor to each other relative to the transversal orientation.

6. The boat support elevator of claim 1, wherein the ballasts have a top and a bottom, and wherein at least one of the plurality of ballasts comprises a drain port located about the bottom for water to enter and exit the ballast through the drain port.

7. The boat support elevator of claim 6, wherein at least one of the plurality of ballasts comprises a pressurizing port located about the top for air to be force in and exit the ballast through the pressurizing port.

8. The boat support elevator of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of ballasts comprises a connection portion comprising a hole to secure the plurality of ballasts to the frame.

9. The boat support elevator of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of ballasts comprises a bottom wall and a protruding portion extending below the bottom wall.

10. The boat support elevator of claim 9, wherein the bottom wall is sloped.

11. The boat support elevator of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of ballasts comprises a top wall and a protruding portion extending above the top wall.

12. The boat support elevator of claim 12, wherein the top wall comprises an inclined portion.

13. The boat support elevator of claim 1, wherein the connection is connected to about the top of a first ballast of the combination of ballasts and to about the bottom of a second ballast of the combination of ballasts, wherein the connection is fluidly connecting the ballasts of the combination of ballasts.

14. The boat support elevator of claim 13, wherein the connection is further connected to about the top of the second ballast and comprising a one-way valve limiting fluid direction through the top connection of the second ballast.

15. A ballast for an immersible boat support elevator or a dock, comprising: wherein therethrough the ballast defines a room for air and water extending above the top wall and below the bottom wall.

at least one vertical wall, a bottom wall and a top wall;

a top protruding portion extending above the top wall; and

a bottom protruding portion extending below the bottom wall,

16. The ballast of claim 16, wherein the top protruding portion comprises a pressurizing port located above the top wall for fluid exchange.

17. The ballast of claim 16, wherein the bottom protruding portion comprises a drain port located below the bottom wall for fluid exchange.

18. A ballast system for an immersible boat support or a dock comprising: wherein the air air-pump system is adapted for controlling air volume in each one of the ballasts of the combination of ballasts, and wherein control of air volume in the combination of ballasts allows to control both elevation and slope of the combination of ballasts.

an air pump,

a plurality of ballasts,

a connection connecting at least two of the plurality of ballasts into a combination of ballasts,

19. The ballasts system, wherein the combination of ballasts comprises a first ballast and a second ballast neighboring each other, with the connection fluidly connecting the drain port of the first ballast to a pressurizing port of the second ballast.

20. The ballast system of claim 19, wherein the connection is further connected to about the top of the second ballast and comprising a one-way valve limiting fluid direction through the top connection of the second ballast.