Boat docking stabilizer

Abstract

An improved boat docking stabilizer device to an economic, compact and reliable boat mooring apparatus that stabilizes a moored boat for safe boarding and de-boarding of passengers while permitting the boat to roll free with the waves thus preventing damage to either the dock or the moored boat. An improved boat docking stabilizer device which may be used in pairs for mooring a boat to a dock structure or the like. This boat docking stabilizer device includes an adjustable backboard mounted perpendicularly to a dock structure by fastening means, an adjustable vertical support bracket mounted to the backboard, a hitch ball coupler pivotably mounted to the vertical support bracket for receiving a ball hitch mounted on a boat, and means for locking the hitch ball coupler in a ready position and in a locked position.

Description

[0001] This application is a non-provisional application filed under 35 U.S.C. §111(a)) claiming priority of the provisional application serial No. 60/394,729 filed Jul. 10, 2002. Reference is hereby made to Disclosure Document No. 504145. All subject matter set forth in Provisional application serial No. 60/394,729 and document disclosure reference 504145 are incorporated by reference into the present application.

BACKGROUND

[0002] This invention relates generally to a boat docking stabilizer which may be used in pairs for mooring a boat to a dock structure or the like. This invention relates specifically to an economic, compact and reliable boat mooring apparatus that stabilizes a moored boat for safe boarding and deboarding of passengers while permitting the boat to roll free with the waves thus preventing damage to either the dock or the moored boat.

SUMMARY

[0003] The present invention is directed to an improved, economic, compact and reliable boat docking stabilizer device for mooring a boat to a dock structure that stabilizes a moored boat allowing for safe boarding and de-boarding of passengers from the moored boat, comprising an adjustable backboard mounted perpendicularly to a dock structure by fastening means, an adjustable vertical support bracket mounted to the backboard, a hitch ball coupler pivotably mounted to the vertical support bracket for receiving a ball hitch mounted on a boat, and means for locking the hitch ball coupler in a ready position and in a locked position. The boat docking stabilizer device wherein the hitch ball coupler has a handle mounted linearly to the hitch ball coupler as means for ease of use of the device. The backboard of the boat docking stabilizer device has a parallel row of apertures formed therein as adjustment means for the positioning of the backboard relative to the dock. The vertical support bracket of the boat docking stabilizer has a parallel row of apertures formed therein as adjustment means for the positioning of the vertical support bracket upon backboard. The hitch ball coupler may be adjusted vertically by moving pivot pin to different apertures in the vertical support bracket. The hitch ball coupler may be positioned in a ready position and in a locked position by moving a locking pin, received by a tube carried by the hitch ball coupler, into a different pair of apertures in the vertical support bracket such that the hitch ball coupler remains in a desired position.

[0004] An improved boat docking stabilizer device for mooring a boat to a dock structure that stabilizes a moored boat allowing for safe boarding and de-boarding of passengers from the moored boat, comprising a pair of such devices positioned apart form each other on a dock such that a boat may be moored between the pair of the devices. An improved boat docking stabilizer device such that the moored boat rides on the water without damage to either the boat or the dock permitting the boat to be left moored for a lengthy period of time. An improved boat docking stabilizer device such that the device could be mounted for use on a larger boat to moor a smaller boat thereto. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Understanding of the invention will be enhanced by referring to the accompanying drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts in the several views and in which:

[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a boat docking stabilizer device of the present invention;

[0007] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hitch ball coupler portion of the device of the present invention with the locking pin and pivoting pins removed from the device;

[0008] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the backboard and vertical support bracket portion of the present invention;

[0009] FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the device in its stored position with the boat and dock shown in phantom;

[0010] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view with the device in its ready position and the boat mounted hitch ball shown in phantom and the dock shown in phantom;

[0011] FIG. 6 is a side elevation view with the device shown in its position of use but not locked with the hitch ball, boat and dock shown in phantom;

[0012] FIG. 7 is a side elevation view with the device shown in its position of use and locked with the hitch ball, boat and dock shown in phantom;

[0013] FIG. 8 is a sectional detail, indicated in FIG. 2, of the pivot tube welded into the hitch ball coupler; and

[0014] FIG. 9 is a sectional detail, indicated in FIG. 2, of the locking tube welded into the hitch ball coupler.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Understanding of the invention will be further enhanced by referring to the following illustrative but non-limiting example.

[0016] Turning now to the drawings, in which like reference characters refer to corresponding elements throughout the several views, FIG. 1 illustrates the assembled boat docking stabilizer 10 of the present invention with a backboard 20 shown mounted by a channel bracket 21 to a dock 22, shown in phantom. Backboard 20 has two rows of apertures 24 formed in parallel rows therein, the apertures 24 formed adjacent the perimeter edge of the backboard 20. The apertures 24 permit the backboard 20 to be mounted in a generally vertical position by nuts and bolts or other fasteners to the dock 22. In actual use conditions, backboard is of wooden material, such as oak, although other resilient yet machinable materials could be used. A second set of bores 26 are formed in parallel rows in a central portion of the backboard 20. These bores 26 permit the vertical support bracket 30 to be mounted by nuts and bolts, screws or other fastening means to the backboard 20. Apertures 32 are formed in parallel rows in the vertical support bracket 30 both to permit the bracket 30 to be mounted to the backboard 20 by screws or other fasteners and to provide a receiver for pivot pin 62 which forms the attachment means for hitch ball coupler 50 to be attached to vertical support bracket 30. The backboard 20 is positioned by fastening means, such as nuts and bolts, screws or other fastening means, to a dock 22 or other structure to which the boat is desired to be moored. Channel bracket 21 is provided in actual use conditions as additional fastening means such that a portion of the dock 22 is sandwiched between channel bracket 21 and backboard 20 to provide stability to attachment of the device to the dock 22 although vertical support bracket 30 could be mounted directly to the dock 22. Use of backboard 20 provides additional adjustment means to accommodate varying water levels. A series of apertures 24 are formed adjacent the perimeter edge of backboard 20 to permit adjustment of backboard 20 depending on the water level such that the device 10 may be used to moor a boat at varying water levels. The backboard 20 may be adjusted vertically by moving fastening means to different pairs of apertures 24. Additionally, when water levels have changed a small amount, vertical support bracket 30 which fastens to backboard 20 by fastening means through holes 32, may be adjusted vertically by moving fastening means to different pairs of holes 32 which line up with bores 26 formed in backboard 20. Vertical adjustment of both backboard 20 and vertical support bracket 30 permit a wide variety of water levels to be easily adjusted for.

[0017] Vertical support bracket 30 has a pair of sides formed therein, a flange 31 and a side wall 29, each of which has having orifices 34 formed therein for the receipt of pivoting pin 62. Additionally, side wall 29 has a second row of orifices 34 for receipt of locking pin 70. A support having set of openings with a chamfer to assist placement of the locking pin 70 is mounted 42, in actual use conditions mounted by welds, although other mounting means could be used, to vertical support bracket side wall 29 such that openings align with orifices 34. Support 42 permits locking pin 70, when in its position of use received by the body of hitch ball coupler 50, to position hitch ball coupler either in a locked position, as shown in FIGS. 1 &7 or in a ready position as shown in FIG. 5. Cotter pins 72 may be used to lock pivoting pin 62 and locking pin 70 in place, as shown in FIG. 1. Under use conditions, both cotter pins 72, locking pin 70 and pivoting pin 62 may be tethered to the device by cable, wire or the like to prevent these items from being lost in the water when adjusting their positions. Hitch ball coupler 50 has a safety lever 52 and trigger lock 54. Hitch ball coupler 50 while shown in standard form, can be adapted such that the hitch ball coupler body 48 is elongated for use with larger boats such as pontoon boats. Handle 56 is attached, in actual use conditions, along the side of hitch ball coupler body 48 although handle 56 could be attached elsewhere on hitch ball coupler 50 such as on the dorsal side thereof without departing from the scope and intent of this invention. Handle 56 is equipped with a grip 58 for ease of use of the boat docking stabilizer 10. Glide bar 44 is provided and screw mounted to shelf 46 formed along the edge of vertical support bracket 30 opposite that of flange 31. Glide bar 44 is provided as a bumper to cushion the boat being moored to boat docking stabilizer 10. Chamfered locking pin support 42 that is welded to side wall 29 of vertical support bracket 30, chamfered locking pin support 42 provided to support locking pin 70 into position to either lock hitch ball coupler 50 into a ready position or a locked position, the chamfer provided to guide locking pin 70 into position. Chamfered locking pin support 42 is of stainless steel or other resilient material. Chamferred locking pin support 42 is shaped as a bar of material with chamferred openings that align with side wall orifices 34 permit ease of use of locking pin 70 which may be positioned through hitch ball coupler 50 and held in position, either the ready position, as shown in FIG. 4 or the locked position as shown in FIG. 7. A pair of channel brackets 31, FIG. 3 are used to firmly hold the boat docking stabilizer 10 in position on dock 22. Vertical support bracket 30 is of zinc plated steel although other resilient materials could be used, and has a crenelated profile. Vertical support bracket 30 is screw mounted to backboard 20 by screws 74 although other fastening means could be used. Bolts 76 are used to mount backboard 20 to dock 22 although again other fastening means could be used. Channel bracket 21 is positioned inside dock 22 to more firmly attach boat docking stabilizer 10 to dock 22. T nuts 78 are shown as liners for apertures 24 formed in backboard 20 although other reinforcing materials could be used.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a side perspective view with some elements shown in cross-section to aid in understanding of the invention. Backboard 20 is bolt-mounted to dock 22 and vertical support bracket 30 is screw mounted to backboard 20. Backboard 20 is shown mounted mid-backboard to the dock 22 although it is understood that backboard 20 may be easily adjusted to accommodate lower or higher water levels. Vertical mounting bracket 30 also is adjustable compounding the adjustability of boat docking stabilizer 10 in regards to water levels. In FIG. 4, hitch ball coupler 50 is shown raised in a ready position pivoted about pivot pin 62 to permit the user to pull the boat in under the hitch ball coupler 50, and, as shown in FIG. 5, manually release locking pin 70 to lower hitch ball coupler 50 pivoted about pivot pin 62 into position fastening onto hitch ball 100, FIG. 6. Hitch ball coupler 50 is locked into position in FIG. 7 with safety hitch lever 52 shown in a locked position and locking pin 70 in a locked position.

[0019] FIG. 8 is the pivot pin tube 64 indicated by cross-section at FIG. 2. Pivot pin tube 64 is mounted, by welds in actual use conditions, although other fastening means could be used, are to the underside of hitch ball coupler 50 and forms a chamber into which pivot pin 62 is received and about which hitch ball coupler 50 pivots. A chamfer 66 guides pivot pin 62 into pivot pin tube 64.

[0020] FIG. 9 illustrates a similar locking pin tube 68 that receives locking pin 70, indicated by cross-section at FIG. 2. A chamfer 66 in both locking pin support 42 and locking pin tube 68 guides locking pin into locking pin tube 68.

[0021] In use, the backboard 20, which has been positioned by fastening means, such as nuts and bolts, screws or other fastening means, to a dock 22 or other structure to which the boat is desired to be moored, has mounted thereto in actual use conditions on a distal side thereof channel bracket 21 is used although backboard 20 could be mounted directly to the dock 22. Backboard 20 is vertically adjusted to accommodate the water level such that the hitch ball coupler 50 would be grasped by the grip 58 on handle 56 would meet and attach hitch ball 100 mounted on a boat. FIG. 4 illustrates the device 10 mounted on the backboard 20 and positioned in a storage position with the hitch ball coupler 50 hanging vertically from pivot pin 62. When the boat approaches, user manually lifts the device 10 by means of handle 56, as shown in FIG. 5, such that hitch ball 100 is received by hitch ball coupler 50, FIG. 6, and locked into place, FIG. 7. Using a pair of the devices 10, positioned on the dock or other mooring structure in a spaced apart position, in actual use conditions about six feet apart, provides a stable surface for boarding and de-boarding from dock to boat or between a larger boat and smaller boat.

[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates the hitch ball coupler 50 in detail with both locking pin 70 and pivoting pin 62 removed. An off the shelf hitch ball coupler 50, such as manufactured by DL Corp. of Hastings NE can be used. The hitch ball coupler body 48 is lengthened as an adaptation to allow use of the device of this invention with larger boats, such as pontoons. Additionally, the addition of handle 56 is an adaptation. Handle is shown fastened to a side of hitch ball coupler body 48 by screws or other fastening means.

[0023] Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. For example hitch ball coupler 50 couple be adapted in length to accommodate a larger boat such as a pontoon boat. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.

[0024] Changes and modifications in the specifically described embodiments can be carried out without departing from the scope of the invention which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An improved boat docking stabilizer device for mooring a boat to a dock structure that stabilizes a moored boat allowing for safe boarding and de-boarding of passengers from the moored boat while permitting the boat to roll free with the waves thus preventing damage to either the dock or the moored boat., comprising:

a vertical support bracket mounted to the dock structure;

a hitch ball coupler pivotably mounted to said vertical support bracket for receiving a hitch ball coupler mounted on a boat; and

means for locking said hitch ball coupler in a ready position and in a locked position.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said hitch ball coupler further comprises a handle mounted along the length of said hitch ball coupler as means for manual use of said device.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said vertical support bracket has a parallel row of apertures formed therein as adjustment means for the positioning of said vertical support bracket upon said backboard.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein said hitch ball coupler may be adjusted vertically by moving pivot pin to different apertures in vertical support bracket.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said means for locking said hitch ball coupler in a ready position and in a locked position further comprises a locking pin received by apertures in the vertical support bracket such that the hitch ball coupler remains in a desired position.

6. The device of claim 4, further comprising a glide bar mounted on a surface extending away from said pivoting hitch ball coupler in its stored position for providing a bumping surface for the boat prior to mooring.

7. The device of claim 6, further comprising a pair of the device of claim 1 positioned apart from each other on a dock such that a boat may be moored between said pair of the device.

8. An improved boat docking stabilizer device for mooring a boat to a dock structure that stabilizes a moored boat allowing for safe boarding and de-boarding of passengers from the moored boat while permitting the boat to roll free with the waves thus preventing damage to either the dock or the moored boat and permits long-term mooring of the boat without damage, comprising:

a backboard mounted perpendicularly to a dock structure by fastening means;

a vertical support bracket mounted to the dock structure;

a hitch ball coupler pivotably mounted to said vertical support bracket for receiving a hitch ball coupler mounted on a boat; and

means for locking said hitch ball coupler in a ready position and in a locked position.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein said hitch ball coupler further comprises a handle mounted along the length of said hitch ball coupler as means for manual use of said device.

10. The device of claim 8, wherein said backboard has a parallel row of apertures formed therein as adjustment means for the positioning of said backboard relative to said dock.

11. The device of claim 10, further comprising a glide bar mounted on a surface extending away from said pivoting hitch ball coupler in its stored position for providing a bumping surface for the boat prior to mooring.

12. The device of claim 11, further comprising a pair of the device of claim 8 positioned apart from each other on a dock such that a boat may be moored between said pair of the device such that the moored boat rides on the water without damage to either the boat or the dock.

13. The device of claim 8, such that the pair of the device of claim 8 could be mounted for use on a larger boat to moor a smaller boat thereto.

14. The device of claim 8, further comprising a glide bar mounted on a surface extending away from said pivoting hitch ball coupler in its stored position for providing a bumping surface for the boat prior to mooring.

15. The device of claim 8, whereby the hitch assembly can be secured against pivotal movement by use of a locking pin at the pivoting hitch ball coupler.

16. An improved boat docking stabilizer device for mooring a boat to a dock structure that stabilizes a moored boat allowing for safe boarding and de-boarding of passengers from the moored boat while permitting the boat to roll free with the waves thus preventing damage to either the dock or the moored boat and permits long-term mooring of the boat without damage, comprising:

a backboard mounted perpendicularly to a dock structure by fastening means;

a vertical support bracket mounted to the dock structure;

a hitch ball coupler pivotably mounted to said vertical support bracket for receiving a hitch ball coupler mounted on a boat;

means for locking said hitch ball coupler in a ready position and in a locked position; and

a handle mounted along the length of said hitch ball coupler as means for manual use of said device.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein said backboard has a parallel row of apertures formed therein as adjustment means for the positioning of said backboard relative to said dock.

18. The device of claim 17, further comprising a pair of the device of claim 16 positioned apart from each other on a dock such that a boat may be moored between said pair of the device such that the moored boat rides on the water without damage to either the boat or the dock.

19. The device of claim 18, further comprising a glide bar mounted on a surface extending away from said pivoting hitch ball coupler in its stored position for providing a bumping surface for the boat prior to mooring.

20. The device of claim 18, whereby the hitch assembly can be secured against pivotal movement by use of a locking pin at the pivoting hitch ball coupler.