Patents Assigned to Sunstream Corporation
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Patent number: 11932364Abstract: A watercraft lift with rearward and forward lateral beams, left and right side longitudinal side beams, a pair of left side lifting arms, a pair of right side lifting arms supporting at their upper ends left and right side watercraft supports, and left and right side actuators pivotally attached to the left and right side rearward lifting arms. In one embodiment the left side rearward lifting arm and the left side actuator rotate about their pivotal attachments to the longitundinal left side beam in a left side plane, and the right side rearward lifting arm and the right side actuator rotate about their pivotal attachments to the longitundinal right side beam in a right side plane.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2021Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: Sunstream CorporationInventors: Kenneth Edwards Hey, Loern Alan Halverson, Dean Allen Stanford, Kent Bradley Van Olst
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Patent number: 10293889Abstract: A watercraft lift with hydraulically actuated arms which self-installs a fitted three-dimensional watercraft cover on a powerboat. A mechanism enables a linear actuator to drive a swing arm up to 180 degrees. The upper end of a two part arm articulates mechanically as the arm moves to reduce vertical elevation while operating. A spring-tensioned elongated roller keeps the cover tight and self-rolls the cover on the elongated roller when the actuated arms are pivoted forward. The mechanism can be attached to the guides of most watercraft lifts.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2017Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: Sunstream CorporationInventors: Kenneth Edwards Hey, Loern Alan Halverson, Dean Allen Stanford
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Patent number: 10011326Abstract: A boat lift with hydraulically or mechanically actuated arms which self-installs a fitted three-dimensional boat cover on a powerboat. The control logic of the system allows for cover operation only when the lift is raised. A spring-tensioned roller keeps the cover tight and self-rolls the cover on the roller when the actuated arms are pivoted forward. The roller is hidden behind the boat in ‘cover-on’ position. A slip clutch prevents the torsion spring from being over tightened. The forward position of the roller is adjusted by adjusting the hydraulic cylinder length. The rearward position of the roller is adjusted by limiting the retracted position of the hydraulic cylinder. A non-hydraulic embodiment actuates the cover when the lift is operated.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2016Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: Sunstream CorporationInventors: Kenneth Edwards Hey, Dean Allen Stanford, Loern Halverson
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Patent number: 9527552Abstract: A boat lift with hydraulically or mechanically actuated arms which self-installs a fitted three-dimensional boat cover on a powerboat. The control logic of the system allows for cover operation only when the lift is raised. A spring-tensioned roller keeps the cover tight and self-rolls the cover on the roller when the actuated arms are pivoted forward. The roller is hidden behind the boat in ‘cover-on’ position. A slip clutch prevents the torsion spring from being over tightened. The forward position of the roller is adjusted by adjusting the hydraulic cylinder length. The rearward position of the roller is adjusted by limiting the retracted position of the hydraulic cylinder. A non-hydraulic embodiment actuates the cover when the lift is operated.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2015Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: Sunstream CorporationInventors: Kenneth Edwards Hey, Dean Allen Stanford, Loern Halverson
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Patent number: 8911174Abstract: A watercraft lift with hydraulically actuated arms which self-installs a fitted three-dimensional boat or other watercraft cover on a powerboat or other watercraft. Control logic allows for cover operation only when the lift is raised, and has a single control for both the lift and cover system. A spring-tensioned roller keeps the cover tight and self-rolls the cover on the roller when the actuated arms are pivoted forward. The roller is hidden behind the watercraft when in a “cover-on” position.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2012Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: Sunstream CorporationInventors: Kenneth Edwards Hey, Harry Millan, Jr., Jeffrey Alan Hart, Loern Alan Halverson
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Patent number: 8683912Abstract: A hydraulic cylinder contamination prevention system for preventing large and small contaminants from entering into a hydraulic cylinder, including a hydraulic cylinder rod cover for underwater use with at least one automatic valve for preventing water circulation between the outside environment and the enclosed environment of the cylinder rod cover when the cylinder is stationary, egress of water from the cylinder rod cover when the cylinder is retracted, and ingress of water into the cylinder rod cover when cylinder is extended, and an external and abrasive cylinder rod scrubber.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Sunstream CorporationInventors: Kenneth E. Hey, William J. Setter
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Patent number: 8683934Abstract: A free-floating, compact, self-stabilizing, self-monitoring, remote-controlled, shallow-water, solar, high-speed, air displacement watercraft lift constructed of polyethylene tanks, and non-metallic structure. This device provides vertical lifting by inflating 4 or more air tanks at once using a blower for each tank, pushing water out an exit hole on the bottom of each tank. Each tank has an electric valve for filling and another for exhausting air. Pairs of tanks are pivotally connected along the centerline, and pairs of tanks are connected with a union tube inside the axles. A monitoring system fills the air tanks if air leaks. The width of the lift is adjusted by adjusting the center bunk height, or by adding a spacer.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Sunstream CorporationInventor: Kenneth E. Hey
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Patent number: 8291810Abstract: A hydraulic cylinder contamination prevention system for preventing large and small contaminants from entering into a hydraulic cylinder, including a hydraulic cylinder rod cover for underwater use with at least one automatic valve for preventing water circulation between the outside environment and the enclosed environment of the cylinder rod cover when the cylinder is stationary, egress of water from the cylinder rod cover when the cylinder is retracted, and ingress of water into the cylinder rod cover when cylinder is extended, and an external and abrasive cylinder rod scrubber.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2009Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Sunstream CorporationInventors: Kenneth E. Hey, William James Setter
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Patent number: 8069807Abstract: The floating drive-on docking system for a watercraft uses a main floatation portion where the watercraft rests when loaded and a pivoting entry portion for creating a low loading angle between the watercraft and the floating drive-on docking system, resulting in only a small amount of propulsion from the watercraft being required to load onto the docking system. The pivoting entry portion has entry features, either rollers or raised bumps, that remain above the waterline when not engaged by the watercraft to keep the loading surfaces free from marine growth that can harm the hull of a watercraft. Wide side guides on the pivoting entry portion assist in positioning the craft for loading onto the docking system.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2009Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Sunstream CorporationInventors: Bryce Morgan Kloster, Kenneth E. Hey
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Patent number: 7527014Abstract: A self-adjusting watercraft canopy/cover assembly having a protective cover and a floating watercraft lift. The lift includes a watercraft lifting support and a float attached to the watercraft lifting support for supporting the watercraft lifting support on a body of water. The float is movable to selectively lift and lower the watercraft lifting support relative to the body of water along a first path of movement. The lift further includes an assembly which causes the protective cover to move along a second path of movement different from the first path in response to movement of the float.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2004Date of Patent: May 5, 2009Assignee: Sunstream CorporationInventors: Kenneth E. Hey, Bryce M. Kloster
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Patent number: 7246970Abstract: A watercraft lift with translating bunks supported by a base frame and having rollers mounted to the base frame to initially raises the watercraft upward when driven onto the lift sufficiently to be positioned above the bunks when in their lowered position and thereby permit operation of the lift in water too shallow for use of the bunks by themselves. The rollers are positioned relative to the translating bunks such that when the bunks are in their lowered position and the lift is used in sufficiently shallow water, the watercraft driven onto the lift initially engages the rollers, which lift the watercraft upward above the height when floating in the water and above the height of the bunks. The translating bunks are then used to lift the watercraft off of the rollers and upward to a raised position above the water.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2005Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Sunstream CorporationInventor: Kenneth E. Hey
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Publication number: 20060147268Abstract: A watercraft lift with translating bunks supported by a base frame and having rollers mounted to the base frame to initially raises the watercraft upward when driven onto the lift sufficiently to be positioned above the bunks when in their lowered position and thereby permit operation of the lift in water too shallow for use of the bunks by themselves. The rollers are positioned relative to the translating bunks such that when the bunks are in their lowered position and the lift is used in sufficiently shallow water, the watercraft driven onto the lift initially engages the rollers, which lift the watercraft upward above the height when floating in the water and above the height of the bunks. The translating bunks are then used to lift the watercraft off of the rollers and upward to a raised position above the water.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2005Publication date: July 6, 2006Applicant: Sunstream CorporationInventor: Kenneth Hey
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Patent number: 6976442Abstract: The invention generally relates to an apparatus and method that allows the lifting range of a four-bar, ground-based watercraft lift to be adjustable. More particularly, it relates to a ground-based watercraft that that allows for the lifting range of a watercraft support structure to be adjustable relative to the base of a watercraft lift while also maintaining the lift's shallow water functionality.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2005Date of Patent: December 20, 2005Assignee: Sunstream CorporationInventors: Kenneth E. Hey, Bryce Morgan Kloster
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Publication number: 20050235893Abstract: The invention generally relates to an apparatus and method that allows the lifting range of a four-bar, ground-based watercraft lift to be adjustable. More particularly, it relates to a ground-based watercraft that that allows for the lifting range of a watercraft support structure to be adjustable relative to the base of a watercraft lift while also maintaining the lift's shallow water functionality.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2005Publication date: October 27, 2005Applicant: Sunstream CorporationInventors: Kenneth Hey, Bryce Kloster
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Publication number: 20050139141Abstract: An apparatus and method for covering a watercraft with a self-adjusting watercraft cover coupled to a watercraft lift is disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2004Publication date: June 30, 2005Applicant: Sunstream CorporationInventors: Kenneth Hey, Bryce Kloster
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Publication number: 20050016438Abstract: A canopy covering for a watercraft to protect the watercraft from natural elements while allowing a substantial amount of light to be transmitted through the covering so as to not significantly adversely impact the marine habitat below the canopy by light reduction.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2004Publication date: January 27, 2005Applicant: Sunstream CorporationInventors: Kenneth Hey, John Kenley
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Patent number: 6830410Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for supporting the hull of a watercraft using a flexible bunk beam and a convex cushion attached to the beam using locking elements. The beam has a longitudinal recess with a narrow upper neck portion and a larger lower anchor portion, and the cushion has an elongated cushion locking member lockably insertable into the recess. The cushion locking member has a narrow upper neck portion and a larger lower portion sized to snuggly fit within the recess. The cushion includes internal voids and walls. The beam includes sidewalls with bores forming bearing surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2002Date of Patent: December 14, 2004Assignee: Sunstream CorporationInventors: Edward D. Davidson, Kenneth E. Hey
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Patent number: 6823809Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a floating watercraft lift capable of raising and lowering a watercraft, and more particularly to a floating watercraft lift. In one embodiment, the watercraft lift includes a pair of longitudinally extending and approximately parallel floats with an apparatus for supporting and lifting the watercraft positioned between the floats. When the watercraft lift is positioned in a lowered position, the apparatus is submerged and each of the floats is in a first orientation and partially submerged. The apparatus may then be activated to move the watercraft lift to a raised position by moving the floats downwardly and inwardly towards the watercraft, so that the floats become further submerged in the water. The buoyancy of the submerging floats thus lifts the lift apparatus and the watercraft above the water surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2002Date of Patent: November 30, 2004Assignee: Sunstream CorporationInventor: Kenneth Hey
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Publication number: 20040126185Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for supporting the hull of a watercraft using a flexible bunk beam and a convex cushion attached to the beam using locking elements. The beam has a longitudinal recess with a narrow upper neck portion and a larger lower anchor portion, and the cushion has an elongated cushion locking member lockably insertable into the recess. The cushion locking member has a narrow upper neck portion and a larger lower portion sized to snuggly fit within the recess. The cushion includes internal voids and walls. The beam includes sidewalls with bores forming bearing surfaces.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2002Publication date: July 1, 2004Applicant: Sunstream CorporationInventors: Edward D. Davidson, Kenneth E. Hey
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Patent number: D1069313Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2021Date of Patent: April 1, 2025Assignee: Sunstream CorporationInventors: Kenneth Edwards Hey, Loern Alan Halverson, Dean Allen Stanford