Boarding Aids Patents (Class 114/362)
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Patent number: 11964734Abstract: A transom lift for boats that can be used for loading and transporting objects such as a dinghy or large coolers. The transom lift has generally parallel and vertical members that fit inside of generally vertical and parallel sides of transom mount ladders. Hooks extend from the generally parallel, spaced apart, elongated, and vertical members, and are constructed and arranged to fit over steps of the transom mount ladder. A supported planar member or platform extends from a lower portion of the generally vertical, spaced apart, elongated, and parallel members. The transom lift is raised and lowered by pulling on an upper end of the transom lift using the transom mount ladder as a guide for vertical movement of the transom lift. The hooks position and hold the planar member or platform in the desired vertical position, either above or below the water line.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2021Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Inventor: William A. Scott
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Patent number: 11731739Abstract: The present disclosure includes recreational watercraft including a drop down boarding point. One example includes a hull, an open platform passenger deck, and a plurality of sides, continuous from the hull. The watercraft includes a panel drop down boarding point, hingedly attached horizontally to the hull, for ingress and egress of persons to the watercraft. The panel drop down boarding point includes a first surface interior to the watercraft when the panel drop down boarding point is closed, a second surface, opposite to the first surface and exterior to the watercraft when the panel drop down boarding point is closed, and an aperture formed between the first surface and the second surface and having an opening in an end surface of the panel drop down boarding point. The aperture is sized and shaped to house a retractable ladder and for the ladder to extend out through the opening.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2021Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: Tulip Factory, LLCInventors: Mark Overbye, Abdul Hameed Khanzada
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Patent number: 11401012Abstract: Boats can include a swim platform with an integrated system of steps that can be selectively deployed and retracted. Such platforms can be attached to a transom of a boat or can be fabricated as an extended portion of the boat's hull. In another embodiment, deployable steps can be integrated with a boat's hull as a side-entry door. In order to reconfigure the step system into a deployed configuration, a linkage is actuated that causes the step system to unfold, forming steps (or a seating configuration) at least partially below the water line. Since the steps can be deployed below the water line, a swimmer can more easily get on board the boat.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2020Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: Chaparral Boats, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Fafard, Michael Anthony Werle, Justin Everett Brooks
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Patent number: 11235842Abstract: Disclosed is a device that engages and stabilizes a personal watercraft for boarding or exiting. The device simultaneously engages upper surface elements of the watercraft whilst also providing firm land/pier engaged support to the user. A user's weight is able to bear against the inherent buoyancy of the watercraft through a structure rotated downwardly to the watercraft; the rotated structure is hinged and fixed to the land/pier. During entry, the upwardly urging buoyancy of the watercraft stabilizes the watercraft against the downwardly rotated structure while a user steps from the land/pier to the watercraft and fully transfers weight to the watercraft. Exit is the reverse. A method of associated use is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2020Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Inventor: Art Groeneweg
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Patent number: 11198343Abstract: To enlarge a collapsible flap and store the collapsible flap appropriately. In an amphibious vehicle (1) in which a flap (13) which receives lift from water in water navigation is provided to be deployable and storable at a front side in a travel direction of a vehicle body (11), the flap (13) includes a lower flap (21) which is stored to come close to a front surface (11a) of the vehicle body (11) and an upper flap (22) which is stored to come close to an upper surface (11b) of the vehicle body (11), and at least one of the lower flap (21) and the upper flap (22) includes a first flap member (31) and a second flap member (32) and is configured such that a flap length (L13) in a direction orthogonal to a vehicle width direction is variable.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2017Date of Patent: December 14, 2021Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Shinichi Sato, Tetsuya Miyamoto, Takashi Matsunaga, Katsuhiko Nakajo, Taichi Omura, Yuta Shimizu, Takenori Kawana, Takashi Mizumoto
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Patent number: 10994810Abstract: A rail system for a marine vessel having an upper deck. The rail system has a set of forward rails that encloses a portion of the upper deck, where the set of forward rails includes a front rail and folding side rails. The set of forward rails is pivotable between an up position and a down position. A plurality of floor hinges pivotally couple the folding side rails to the upper deck. The set of forward rails has an up height when in the up position and a down height when in the down position that is lower than the up height.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2019Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: BRUNSWICK CORPORATIONInventors: Kage J. Scheele, Jeremy D. Ward, Kirk W. Harmon
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Patent number: 10864425Abstract: Methods for improving respiratory effectiveness including inhaling a breath and, while continuously holding the breath, swimming for a period of at least 10 seconds without exhaling or further inhaling, and inhaling a breath and, without exhaling or further inhaling, adopting, and holding for a period of at least 3 seconds, at least one stretch position, which requires constant muscular exertion to maintain.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2017Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Inventor: Marion Octavia Sharon Moore
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Patent number: 10710683Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vessel that comprises at least one super structure configured to at least in part translate relative to said hull between a first position and at least one other position. The at least one superstructure in said first condition at least in part defines a first zone suitable for accommodating at least one person and/or vehicle, and the at least one superstructure in said second condition at least in part defines a second zone suitable for accommodating at least one person and/or vehicle. Preferably the at least one superstructure at least in part separates the first and second zones. Preferably the vessel's centre of mass is aft of mid-ship in the first condition and forward of mid-ship in the second position.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2018Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: KILOBRAVO LIMITEDInventor: Kyle Dick
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Patent number: 10633059Abstract: A watercraft-mounted personal lifting device includes a remotely-operated arm in mechanical communication with a motor at a first end and a platform at a second end. Upon activation, the arm is configured to selectively raise or lower the platform. The platform is configured to accommodate a wheelchair and user thereby enabling the wheelchair and user to enter or exit the watercraft.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2018Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Inventor: Peter Elliott
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Patent number: 10414465Abstract: A hydraulic bow door apparatus, comprising a bow door movably mounted on a deck by a hinge shaft, the bow door comprises a doorframe and a door leaf hermetically mounted together, the front side of the doorframe is mounted with a hydraulic actuating cylinder, the cylinder body of the hydraulic actuating cylinder is hinged with the doorframe, the end of its piston rod is hinged with the hinge shaft through a first connecting rod assembly, after the piston rod of the hydraulic actuating cylinder is pushed out, the bow door is turned into a horizontal placement state; and the front side of the bow door is mounted with a foldable guardrail assembly. The hydraulic bow door apparatus ensures the protective security of a passage which is formed after the bow door is connected to dock.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2018Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: WUXI XINFAN MARINE EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.Inventor: Xiaohua Zhou
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Patent number: 10351215Abstract: A vessel or boat includes a hull having a stern at which there is a stern swim platform having at least one moving part capable of moving along and close to a portion of the stern, the moving part being capable of adopting at least a first working position in which it is out of the water on which the boat floats and a second working position in which the moving part is lowered with respect to the hull into the water, steps being provided at the stern. At least part of the steps is of one piece with the moving part of the stern swim platform and moves therewith over fixed steps provided within the stern, the movement of the steps taking place in a guided way, the moving steps forming an elongatable swim ladder with the fixed steps.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2018Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: FERRETTI S.P.A.Inventor: Saverio Scozzoli
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Patent number: 10329002Abstract: A method for tracking divers, tracking status of diver tasks, and providing a diving jet propelled multihull vessel providing a water jetting unit, wherein the method uses an administrative server; downloading the specific lists to an onboard dive server; creating a payroll time sheet for the vessel crew and the dive team; downloading information from the administrative server to an onboard dive server; using onboard software in an onboard dive server to track; and using onboard software in an onboard dive server to create and present an executive dashboard of diver tasks, diver video and vessel information to users via a network.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2016Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: Aqueos CorporationInventors: Theodore K. Roche, IV, Bradley M. Parro, Travis A. Detke, Mark O. Wieneke, Troy R. Turner
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Patent number: 10245198Abstract: A lifting apparatus for a person comprises a frame with at least two leg members fixedly attached to each other via a pair of transverse beams, a pair of vertical bars separated at a predetermined distance, wherein the vertical bars are fixedly attached to the frame via connector bars and transverse beams. The lifting apparatus comprises at least two vertical central beams fixedly attached to the frame at a predetermined position via the connector bars and transverse beams. A vertical carriage assembly comprises a seating assembly and a movable subassembly mounted on the vertical central beam and an actuator mechanism is used to elevate the vertical carriage assembly via a plurality of T-slots to slide along the vertical central beam. The design of the horizontal seating plate is smaller in size to allow the apparatus to be used in confined spaces.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2016Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Inventor: James Lucas
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Patent number: 10106227Abstract: A bulwark terrace with integrated door is provided; the bulwark terrace may be a portion of a bulwark on a ship or yacht that is hinged so as to be able to fold outwards and downwards and be flush with the deck after doing so, thereby extending the deck surface. The bulwark terrace may also include a door that may open independently of the bulwark terrace to allow boarding of the yacht or ship through the bulwark without deploying the bulwark terrace.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2017Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: Alexander Marine International Co., LimitedInventor: Richard Corley Allender
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Patent number: 10100462Abstract: There is provided a high-tensile synthetic fiber rope having a low percentage elongation, the rope dramatically improving the strength utilization rate of the tensile strength of the synthetic fibers, and ensuring the percentage elongation approximately the same as the percentage elongation of the synthetic fibers used in the rope. The synthetic fiber rope includes a plurality of strands twisted or braided together, each of the strands including: a tubular woven fabric woven with warp and weft yarns made of synthetic fibers; and a core material disposed in the tubular woven fabric, the core material being constituted by a plurality of parallel-bundled yarns made of the synthetic fibers in the tubular woven fabric.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2013Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignees: OBAMA ROPE MFG., CO., LTD., ASHIMORI INDUSTRY CO., LTD.Inventors: Yuzo Kikuchi, Yoshihiro Kinoshita, Toshiyuki Kosaka, Sosuke Morimoto
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Patent number: 10098314Abstract: A horizontal frame to mount in the back bay of a vehicle, formed with a rearwardly opening tunnel and ladder device received in the tunnel.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2017Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Inventor: Alan Murray
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Patent number: 9914508Abstract: A folding step for a boat cockpit includes a gunwale bracket connectable to a wall extending downward from a gunwale of a boat. Support bracket(s) support a step in a pivoting manner between a deployed and a stowed position. A support bar is attachable within the cockpit to be in a stowed position, in which it is out of the way, and in a deployed position for supporting the step when it is deployed.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2016Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Inventor: David A. Neese
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Patent number: 9725139Abstract: A boat includes a hull provided with a rear stern hatch located in correspondence with an internal stern compartment of the hull and suitable for opening and closing in correspondence with an aperture of the compartment, the hatch having a body with opposed side located in correspondence with side walls of the compartment and upper edge and lower edge. The hatch includes an actuator to open and close the compartment arranged inside its own body, the actuator rotatably constraining at least one of the sides of the hatch to a support movable with respect to the stern of the hull and suitable for allowing the hatch to reach, upon opening, a position submerged in the water where the boat is, the body of the hatch being not provided with any further connections of the sides to the hull.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2015Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: FERRETTI S.P.A.Inventor: Andrea Frabetti
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Patent number: 9708039Abstract: The portable telescoping boat ladder is easily stored, installed, and used. The ladder comprises a ladder assembly mounted to a base assembly. The ladder assembly comprises telescoping ladder sections able to be collapsed into a stored position with the rungs adjacent each other. The base assembly comprises a platform, a means for engagement with a boat hand rail, and a means for providing a maximum angle at which the ladder assembly may be deployed.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2015Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: Grady-White Boats, Inc.Inventor: David A. Neese
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Patent number: 9540077Abstract: A ladder assembly for mounting a concealed ladder to a boat includes a frame having a pair of spaced-apart guides. The frame is adapted to be mounted within a boat. A slide is movably mounted to the guides for sliding from one end of said frame to an opposite end, and a ladder is pivotally mounted to said slide, such that the ladder can extend from a hatch in the boat and be lowered for use of the ladder in entering and exiting the water from the boat. In one embodiment, a pivot plate is pivotally mounted to the slide and the ladder is pivotally mounted to the slide. A control arm is pivotally mounted to the pivot plate or slide and provides leverage for the easy deployment and storing of the ladder.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2015Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: S2 Yachts Inc.Inventors: Linwood Addison Fuller, IV, Dwayne Back
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Patent number: 9517816Abstract: The invention relates to a foldout stern-lowering means (1) which constitutes an integral part of the watercraft (38) and has at least three sectors (A, B, C) which can be walked on and optionally three further sectors (D, E, F) which can be walked on, with three different foldout modes: gangway, stairs and tender, with a safety means on the lifting means (18) in order always to return the stern-lowering means (1) into the starting position, and a safety means by means of an emergency lifting means (31) for people, and also to compensate for the additional weight of a stern-lowering means (1) by means of buoyancy means (39, 39a) and to increase the comfort while underway and before anchoring, assisted by slosh plates (40).Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2011Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Inventor: Peter A. Mueller
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Patent number: 9421408Abstract: An inflatable structure for physical exercise in water is described. The inflatable structure is able to be associated to a support wall of said inflatable structure, the support wall extending along a plane substantially orthogonal to a reference plane corresponding substantially to a stretch of water. The inflatable structure comprises means for accessing the inflatable structure, which are configured to allow a person the access from the water to the inflatable structure, said access means being operatively connected to a lower portion of the inflatable structure, said access means extending along a plane substantially orthogonal to the reference plane.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2014Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Inventor: Mattia Massola
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Patent number: 9302740Abstract: A motorized or manual extendable and retractable floating device is supported longitudinally by one or more floatation devices. The flotation deck is stored and supported by tracks or rails from beneath and between an upper deck of a houseboat, pontoon boat, tritoon boat, catamaran, floating dock, pier-supported dock or other watercraft or dock. When fully extended, the floating deck will remain attached to the watercraft, and additional width may be achieved with extendable or fold out sides or wings.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2013Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: Quadratoon Company LLCInventors: Michael O'Neal, Blaine Lawson
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Patent number: 9205895Abstract: A securing device for a lowerable platform on a watercraft, wherein a lowering of the platform by way of a technical device that is mounted on the tail of the watercraft is only activated after the height and steering positions of the technical device have been adjusted and secured by sensors.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2012Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Inventor: Peter A. Mueller
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Patent number: 9120540Abstract: A dive door for a marine vessel comprising a planar body having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The door is disposed between the gunwale of the boat and is hingeably attached to the deck of the boat. The door is releasably retained to the gunwale by one or more latches disposed at a top edge of the dive door. One or more gas shocks are attached to the door and the boat such that the dive door is selectively operable between a deployed position and a closed position. When deployed, the interior surface of the dive door extends outwardly from the boat. In the closed position, the outer surface of the dive door is matches the profile of the gunwale, providing a sleek integrated look. A ladder may hinged to the dive door and is configured to extend downward into the water surface when the door is deployed.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2014Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: Boston Whaler, Inc.Inventors: Charles Dean Foss, Paul Sherwood-Berndt
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Patent number: 9114857Abstract: Various designs and arrangements of preferably tubular handle members are detachably mounted upon the swim platform of a boat for aiding swimmers to enter and/or exit from the water. In one embodiment the handles have an end, or ends, thereof slidably mountable within a tubular portion of a socket member that is preferably secured in a counter-sunk fashion in the swim platform. In a further embodiment handles are provided with an end lug for detachably mounting the handle to a mounting plate. When not in use, the handle members are slidably detached from the mounting members thereby providing an unencumbered surface on the swim platform.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2011Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Inventors: Rodger E. Miller, Carol E. Cook
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Patent number: 9067647Abstract: The portable telescoping boat ladder is easily stored, installed, and used. The ladder comprises a ladder assembly mounted to a base assembly. The ladder assembly comprises telescoping ladder sections able to be collapsed into a stored position with the rungs adjacent each other. The base assembly comprises a platform, a means for engagement with a boat hand rail, and a means for providing a maximum angle at which the ladder assembly may be deployed.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Inventor: David A. Neese
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Patent number: 9016228Abstract: A swim platform for mounting onto the stern of a boat. Generally, the swim platform includes an upper platform, a lower platform, and a central support member for interconnecting the platforms and for mounting the swim platform to the boat. The platforms are sized and configured such that one or more persons could comfortably stand or sit on them. A forward portion of the lower platform is disposed proximate a rearward portion of the upper platform. Also, the lower platform is spaced vertically below the top platform and is ideally positioned at or slightly above the surface of the water. In operation, as the boat accelerates, the lower platform tilts towards the water as the bow tilts upwards. As the lower platform contacts the water, an upward force is exerted onto the lower platform, which forces the bow downwards and simultaneously forces the stern up and out of the water.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Bryant Boats, Inc.Inventors: Benjamin Parker Dorton, John R. Dorton
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Patent number: 9003997Abstract: A vessel, including a transom for mounting outboard engines thereto, is spanned on opposite sides by aft-facing hull extensions which extend beyond the engines and allow a swim platform to be positioned between the hull extensions. The design allows the outboard engines to be covered with an engine cover, which provides an attractive vessel design in which the outboard engines can be concealed with a cover, which may serve other functions, such as a seat or the like. The cover houses an engine cowl mist shield which includes a support frame surrounding one or more outboard engines. The frame includes aperture(s) with edges spaced from the cowl and a flexible member extending from the edges to the cowl below the air intake of the cowl, such that spray and mist from the operation of the vessel does not reach the air intake of the cowl.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2012Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: S2 Yachts Inc.Inventors: Christopher M. Gratz, Bruce F. Thompson, Linwood Addison Fuller, IV
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Patent number: 8950353Abstract: The invention relates to a ship, in particular a freight ship, comprising an outer wall and a gangway for embarking and disembarking the ship, which can be moved backwards and forwards between an embarking/disembarking position and a stored position when the ship is being driven. The invention also relates to a ship in which the gangway comprises a base having a lower surface which, when said gangway is in the stored position, is flush with the surface of the outer wall. The invention also relates to a gangway for embarking and disembarking a ship, which is embodied according to the claimed invention for use on a ship.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2011Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbHInventor: Rolf Rohden
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Patent number: 8943995Abstract: The invention comprises of a railing (1) which is foldable or and height adjustable or and extendable lengthwise and has rungs (5) or pivotable safety footsteps (14a) which, if necessary, can be kept in the vertical position (V) or horizontal position (Q) or and when tilting down the railing (1) remain in a stable position. The railing (1) has technical mean (4a,40,43a,45a,51) as well as an emergency mean (10,11) and can if necessary take up a tender (42) and other objects and the footsteps (14) can be transparent for example to improve visibility to the rear.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2010Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Inventor: Peter A. Muller
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Patent number: 8944210Abstract: A ladder attachment having a base member slideably attached to lock member, a pivot mount pivotally attached to the lock member and a surface defining a lock port which is optimally configured to be orientated to slide upon the lock member when in a stored orientation such that when the base member and pivot mount is slideably repositioned with respect to the lock member, a ladder assembly which is attached to the pivot mount is in a stored orientation. The ladder assembly has an extended and retracted orientation.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2007Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Vallery Industries, Inc.Inventor: Russell L. Sedlack, II
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Patent number: 8925130Abstract: An access apparatus for enabling transfer of personnel between a seaborne vessel and an offshore installation is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a body adapted to be mounted to a deck of a seaborne vessel, clamping members adapted to grip a buffer tube, mounted to a support of an offshore installation, therebetween, to limit vertical movement of the buffer tube relative to the clamping members, wherein the clamping members can pivot relative to the body about a respective single pivot axis extending in at least two mutually perpendicular directions.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2012Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Osbit Power LimitedInventor: Stephen William Bedford
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Patent number: 8899168Abstract: The present invention provides a motor box for a sea-faring vessel, comprising a skirt, a lid, and a lid cushion. The lid is pivotably attached to the skirt and the lid cushion is pivotably attached to the lid. Accordingly, the lid opens to provide access to the inboard motor of which the motor box encases. The lid cushion pivots to reveal the top surface of the lid, which may be textured. The forward side of the skirt and the lid include a step which allows a user to step onto and over the motor box for easier ingress/egress. An aft step may be disposed adjacent to the aft of the motor box at the transom to provide additional footing when stepping off of or onto the motor box.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2012Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Carrie Anne Fodor, Jack Stanfield Jones, John William Hamilton
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Patent number: 8894342Abstract: A retractable boarding assembly for use with a marine vessel mounted on a boat lift includes an elongate ramp pivotally mounted to a dock or other structure adjacent to the boat lift and supported boat. There is a directional pulley supported above a body of water adjacent to the dock. An elongate cable or marine rope engages the pulley. A first end of the cable is secured to a lift platform of the boat lift. An opposite, second end of the cable is secured to the ramp. Raising the boat lift with a boat supported thereon allows the ramp to pull the attached cable across the pulley until the boarding ramp is pivotally deployed to engage a deck of the supported boat. Alternatively, when the boat lift is lowered to introduce the boat into the water, the lift platform pulls the cable through the directional pulley such that the boarding ramp is pivotally retracted and disengaged from the deck of the boat.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2012Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Inventors: Raymond Masciana, Genaro Esposito
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Patent number: 8863341Abstract: A ramp assembly for deplaning passengers from and boarding passengers on an airplane includes a level deck having a front deck edge, at least one bridge connector assembly carried by the level deck at the front deck edge and at least one floating upper bridge carried by the at least one bridge connector assembly. The at least one bridge connector assembly facilitates horizontal pivoting movement, vertical pivoting movement and side-to-side movement of the at least one floating upper bridge relative to the level deck. A passenger deplaning and boarding method is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2014Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Inventors: William Floyd Keith, Christa Keith
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Publication number: 20140261145Abstract: The portable telescoping boat ladder is easily stored, installed, and used. The ladder comprises a ladder assembly mounted to a base assembly. The ladder assembly comprises telescoping ladder sections able to be collapsed into a stored position with the rungs adjacent each other. The base assembly comprises a platform, a means for engagement with a boat hand rail, and a means for providing a maximum angle at which the ladder assembly may be deployed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Grady-White Boats, Inc.Inventor: David A. Neese
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Publication number: 20140261133Abstract: A swim platform for mounting onto the stern of a boat. Generally, the swim platform includes an upper platform, a lower platform, and a central support member for interconnecting the platforms and for mounting the swim platform to the boat. The platforms are sized and configured such that one or more persons could comfortably stand or sit on them. A forward portion of the lower platform is disposed proximate a rearward portion of the upper platform. Also, the lower platform is spaced vertically below the top platform and is ideally positioned at or slightly above the surface of the water. In operation, as the boat accelerates, the lower platform tilts towards the water as the bow tilts upwards. As the lower platform contacts the water, an upward force is exerted onto the lower platform, which forces the bow downwards and simultaneously forces the stern up and out of the water.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Bryant Boats, Inc.Inventors: Benjamin Parker Dorton, John R. Dorton
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Patent number: 8833290Abstract: The invention comprises a segmented platform (1) for watercraft which, which serves as a stair lift, swimplatform or gangway and can be lowered by an active or passive cylinder (4) and a parallelogram (3). The platform (1) consists of plates (2) and optional lateral lifting bodies (8), as well as of a locker (11,12) whereby the whole unit can be tilted up by the bearing (6) attached to the side plates (7) and in addition a down stroke (H1,H2,H3) is created by a second parallelogram (28) or pivot mean (29), therefor the watercraft takes up less space when not in use. The plates (2) can have a cover (21) in the form of a strap (18) and when lifting the plates (2) a higher safety for people is made possible.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2010Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Inventor: Peter A. Mueller
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Patent number: 8826845Abstract: A marine vessel includes an outboard motor mounting portion provided at a stern of a hull body, an outboard motor locating hole provided rearward of the outboard motor mounting portion and near the outboard motor mounting portion and penetrating vertically through the stern, a platform provided rearward of the outboard motor locating hole, and an outboard motor located in the outboard motor locating hole and mounted to the outboard motor mounting portion. This structure enables an occupant of the marine vessel to freely move in a space around the outboard motor on the platform and use the space.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2010Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yasushi Mochizuki, Yoshifumi Nakazono, Hirohide Ihara, Takayuki Moue
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Patent number: 8820262Abstract: The invention relates to a variable-height platform, which is fitted to a watercraft and has an additional travel and/or a longitudinally movable mounting plate, by positive control such that obstructions in the pivoting area can be fully bypassed without long pivoting arms and special linear-movement cylinders, and a reasonable immersion depth of the platform is ensured in all cases and, in the event of failure of the linear-movement cylinder, the platform can always be moved to the position A by an energy store or accumulator.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2008Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Inventor: Peter A. Muller
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Patent number: 8813672Abstract: A swimming platform assembly that is adapted to be mounted to a drive assembly housing of a watercraft includes a support platform adapted to provide a stable support for a swimmer and a mounting assembly coupled to the support platform to mount the support platform onto the watercraft. The support platform has planar top and bottom surfaces, while the mounting assembly is secured to an intermediate portion of a drive assembly housing of the watercraft such that the top surface of the support platform is disposed below the surface of the water when the watercraft is stationary or is traveling in a forward direction at or below a critical rate of speed, and such that the bottom surface of the support platform is disposed above the surface of the water when the watercraft is traveling in a forward direction above the critical rate of speed.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2012Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Inventor: Gary Nelson
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Patent number: 8806690Abstract: A ramp assembly for deplaning passengers from and boarding passengers on an airplane includes a level deck, at least one bridge connector assembly carried by the level deck and at least one floating upper bridge carried by the at least one bridge connector assembly. The at least one bridge connector assembly facilitates horizontal pivoting movement, vertical pivoting movement and side-to-side movement of the at least one floating upper bridge relative to the level deck. A passenger deplaning and boarding method is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2014Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Inventors: William Floyd Keith, Christa Keith
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Patent number: 8800470Abstract: A dive door for an inflatable boat configured as a semi-cylindrical body having a planar platform surface and an outer curved surface. The door is hingeably attached to the deck of the boat and is disposed between a first gunwale tubing section and a second gunwale tubing section of the boat. The dive door is selectively operable between a deployed position and a closed position. In the deployed position, the planar platform surface extends outwardly from the boat and the outer curved surface faces downward toward the water. A hydraulic ram may be attached to and disposed between the platform surface and a rigid structure of the boat, whereby the hydraulic ram is translates the door between the deployed position and the closed position. In the closed position, the outer curved surface is coincident with the gunwale tubing such that it appears that the door is integrated into the boat.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2012Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Brunswick Commercial and Government Products, Inc.Inventor: Mason Cummings
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Patent number: 8752499Abstract: Disclosed is water craft providing inventive features to achieve a double-decked vessel having: a.) substantially continuous, flat and open upper deck; b.) a substantially continuous and fiat lower deck with an enclosed fore section and an exposed aft section forming a swim deck; and c.) a system of collapsible bulwarks in the upper and swim decks that permit: the vessel to transition from a traditional configuration (better suited for travel) to an open configuration (better suit for entertainment activities while stationary).Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2012Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Inventors: Luiz De Basto, Enrique Ramirez Magaña
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Patent number: 8745801Abstract: A gangway construction 1 for providing access between a vessel 3 and an offshore object 33 comprises a support frame 2 and a movably guided gangway 10. A guiding assembly comprises an upper and lower rotatable pulley wheel 5, 6. A first cable 8 is connected to the frame or the gangway at a forward and backward connecting position 16, 17 and extends in a longitudinal direction between this forward and backward connecting position. With this the first cable 8 extends from its forward connecting position 16 towards the lower pulley wheel 6, is guided in for example a counter clockwise direction along at least part of the circumference of the lower pulley wheel 6 and in for example a clockwise direction over at least part of the circumference of the upper pulley wheel 5, and from the upper pulley wheel 5 extends towards its backward connecting position 17.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2011Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Offshore Solutions B.V.Inventor: Willem Frederik Prins
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Patent number: 8720643Abstract: The aquatic ladder has wide, deep treads, arranged like a staircase, with side and upper railings to make it easy to enter or exit the water, even by elderly people, tired individuals, those carrying aquatic equipment, such as SCUBA gear or water skis, and, even, by pets. The ladder is preferably made from aluminum, although it can be made of other materials, such as steel (e.g., stainless or galvanized), fiberglass, plastic, or other composites.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2012Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Inventor: Michael Ray Adair
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Patent number: 8671869Abstract: The invention comprises a segmented plate (1) for watercraft which is able to be swivelled into a stair lift, swimplatform or gangway by means of an active cylinder (4), or passive cylinder (44). The plate (2) consists of segmented strips (5), which have flexible elements (19) or are releasable and equipped with sensors (13), so that in case of bending or releasing of a segmented strip (5), on the grounds of a foreign element (15) trapped into the segmented strip (5), the cylinder (4) is stopped by means of the controller (14). Contact bands (16) and light strips (17) and cover (11) additionally increase the safety of the swivelable plate (2).Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2008Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Inventor: Peter A. Müller
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Publication number: 20140048008Abstract: A fiberglass pontoon boat, having raised and integrated fiberglass side rails, a flat floor, and a side entry level with the flat floor. Integrated seats are molded in fiberglass. The hull and deck join together by flexing the hull to compensate for opposing draft angles of the hull and deck at the side entry. The deck has a floor and at least one other interior component, and terminates in a deck trim flange. The hull has at least two hollow pontoons and at least two side rails that extend from an outer edge of the pontoons, and the hull terminates in a hull trim flange. When assembled, the hull trim flange operatively engages beneath the deck trim flange to form a unified pontoon boat having a space between the deck and hull and wherein the side rails are integrated as structural parts of the interior component.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2013Publication date: February 20, 2014Inventor: Anthony KALIL
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Patent number: 8646400Abstract: A movable platform assembly comprises a base portion, able to be fixed to a support structure, and at least one pivotable arm hinged at one end with the base portion, about a first hinging axis, and at the other end with a loading platform, about a second hinging axis, the pivotable arm being able to be rotated by means of actuating devices, which are designed to allow the platform to maintain a constant inclination with respect to the base portion during rotation of the pivotable arm. The actuating devices comprise a first and a second rotary actuator mounted on the first and second hinging axis, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2008Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Opacmare S.p.AInventor: Michele Grimaldi