Safety shield for use with the winch wheel of a boat lift

Abstract

A safety shield (32) is provided for use with a hand-operated winch wheel (18) of a boat lift (10), the wheel (18) having a rim (22) connected by spokes (26) to a hub (24), multiple openings (28) defined between the spokes (26) and the rim (22). The safety shield (32) includes at least one sheet of material (32) having a perimeter (36) shaped to conform to a perimeter (38) of one of the openings (28). The sheet (34) includes a plurality of connection points (40) and/or connectors (42) for attaching the perimeter (36) to the spokes (26) and the rim (22).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to winch wheels and particularly to winch wheels used in boat lifts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is common for boat lifts to include a manually operated winch wheel that is connected to the lift mechanism to allow a user to raise and lower a boat in the lift. Such winch wheels commonly have a rim connected by a plurality of spokes to a hub, which in turn is connected to a shaft of the lift mechanism. The rim and spokes define a plurality of openings in the wheel that are typically of a size that easily allows for the accidental insertion of a body part (finger, hand, arm, head, etc.) of a user or other person into the openings during rotation of the winch wheel. Such accidental insertion can cause injury when the body part becomes pinched or scissored between the moving spokes/rim of the winch wheel and the stationary structure of the boat lift, particularly when the winch wheel is being driven by the weight of the boat or by a motorized drive mechanism. The potential danger associate with such accidental insertion is evidenced by the safety warning decals/stickers/signs that are commonly posted on the winch wheels of boat lifts in an effort to prevent accidental injury.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention seeks to minimize or prevent the potential for injury caused by accidental insertion of a body part into the openings of a winch wheel during operation of a boat lift.

In accordance with one feature of the invention, a safety shield is provided for use with a hand operated winch wheel of a boat lift, the wheel having a rim connected by spokes to a hub, with multiple openings defined between the spokes and the rim.

According to one feature, the safety shield includes at least one sheet of material having a perimeter shaped to conform to a perimeter of one of the openings defined between the spokes and the rim. The sheet of material includes a plurality of connection points for attaching the perimeter to the spokes and the rim defining the one of the openings.

According to one feature, the at least one sheet of material includes a polyethylene panel.

In one feature, the at least one sheet of material is perforated.

According to one feature, the at least one sheet of material includes a plurality of perforations that define a logo.

As one feature, the at least one sheet of material has a decorative design on a face of the sheet of material.

In accordance with one feature of the invention, the safety shield includes a plurality of sheets of material, each sheet having a perimeter shaped to conform to a perimeter of one of the openings defined between the spokes and the rim. Each sheet includes a plurality of connection points for attaching the perimeter to the spokes and the rim defining the one of the openings.

In one feature, each sheet of material includes a polyethylene panel.

As one feature, at least one of the sheets is perforated.

According to one feature, at least one of the sheets includes a plurality of perforations that define a logo.

In one feature, at least one of the sheets has a decorative design on a face of the sheet.

In one feature, each of the connection points includes a grommet. As a further feature, the safety shield further includes a plurality of connectors adapted to extend from the connection points to the spokes and rim defining the one of the openings. In a further feature, each of the connection points includes a grommet and each of the connectors includes a cable tie.

In accordance with one feature of the invention, the safety shield includes at least one sheet of material having a perimeter shaped to conform to a perimeter of one of the openings defined between the spokes and the rim; and a plurality of connectors adapted to extend from the perimeter to the spokes and rim defining the one of the openings.

As one feature, each of the connectors includes a cable tie. In a further feature, the safety shield includes a plurality of grommets located adjacent the perimeter to receive the cable ties.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a review of the entire specification, including the appended claims and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic illustration of a boat lift including a manually operated winch wheel and a safety shield embodying the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to FIG. 1, a boat lift 10 is shown for raising a lowering a boat to and from a body of water. The boat lift 10 includes a lift mechanism, shown schematically at 16, that includes a manually operated winch wheel 18 for applying a drive torque to the lift mechanism 16. The lift mechanism 16 may optionally include an electric drive motor, shown schematically at 20, that can supply the drive torque to the lift mechanism 16 via the winch wheel 18 or via a direct connection to the lift mechanism 16. Because there are many know forms of boat lifts 10, lift mechanisms 16, and drive motors 20, and further because the details of these components are not critical to the invention, further description of these components will not be provided herein.

The winch wheel 18 includes a rim 22, a hub 24 connected to the remainder of the lift mechanism 16, and a plurality of spoke 26 connecting the rim 22 to the hub 24, with the rim 22 and spokes 26 defining a plurality of wheel openings 28. The wheel 18 will typically also include a user graspable handle 30 connected to the rim 22 or one of the spokes 26 adjacent the rim 22 that is gripped by a user to rotate the wheel 18 during manual operation of the boat lift 16. The handle 30 is provided, at least in part, to discourage users from inserting their hands and fingers into the openings 28 during manual operation of the wheel 18.

A safety shield 32 is provided for use with the winch wheel 18 to minimize the potential for insertion of a body part into one of the openings 28 during operation of the boat lift 16. The safety shield 32 includes a number of sheets or panels of material 34 equal to the number of openings 28. Each of the sheets 34 has a perimeter 36 shaped to conform to a perimeter 38 of a corresponding one of the wheel openings 28. Each of sheets also includes a plurality of connection points 40 and connector 42 for attaching the perimeter 36 to the spokes 26 and rim 22 defining the corresponding wheel opening 28. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the connection points 40 is provided in the form of a grommet 44 and each of the connectors 42 is provided in the form of a cable tie 46. It should be appreciated that while grommets 44 and cable ties 46 are shown in the preferred embodiment, there are many possible alternatives for connecting the perimeter 36 of each sheet 34 to the spokes 26 and rim 22. For example, connectors 42 could be sewn directly to the perimeter 36 and be in the forms of hooks or strips of material that encircle a spoke 26 or the rim 22 while being locked in place with a suitable fastener such as a snap button or hook and loop closure. As yet another alternative, any type of cord or roping could be used to extend from the perimeter 36 to attach to the spokes 26 and rim 22. There are many other possible alternatives that will occur to one skilled in the art for connecting the perimeter 36 to the spokes 26 and rim 22.

Preferably, the sheets 34 are made from polyethylene panels, and, even more preferred, from rigid ultraviolet protected polyethylene panels. However, it should be understood that any suitable material can be used to form the sheets 34, including for example, polypropylene, canvas, vinyl, plexiglass, Seamark™, and/or sintra.

As one possible option, one or more of the sheets 34 can include a plurality of perforations 50, Which can be of any form, to help reduce the wind resistance of the sheet 34. Furthermore, as yet another option, the perforations 50 can be arranged to define a logo 52 or other decorative design. In this regard, a logo or decorative design can be provided on one or more of the sheets 34 by other means than perforations, such as, for example, by silk screening, embroidery, decals, etc. Another possible decorative effect for the safety shield 32 is to provide the sheets 34 in either matching colors or in contrasting or complementary colors.

It should be understood that while the illustrated winch wheel 18 has four wheel openings 28, the number of openings 28 in each winch wheel 18 can vary depending upon a number of factors, including the diameter of the winch wheel 18. Accordingly, no limitation to the exact number of sheets 34 is intended. Furthermore, it should be understood, that the sheets 34 can be provided to a user either individually, packaged in pairs, or any other appropriate number of sheets 34, including a number of sheets 34 to match the number of openings 28 in a particular winch wheel 18.

Claims

1. A safety shield for use with a hand operated winch wheel of a boat lift, the wheel having a rim connected by spokes to a hub, the wheel having multiple openings defined between the spokes and the rim, the safety shield comprising:

at least one sheet of material having a perimeter shaped to conform to a perimeter of one of the openings defined between the spokes and the rim, the sheet of material including a plurality of connection points for attaching the perimeter to the spokes and the rim defining the one of the openings.

2. The safety shield of claim 1 wherein each of the connection points comprises a grommet.

3. The safety shield of claim 1 wherein the at least one sheet of material comprises a polyethylene panel.

4. The safety shield of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of connectors adapted to extend from the connection points to the spokes and rim defining the one of the openings.

5. The safety shield of claim 4 wherein each of the connection points comprises a grommet and each of the connectors comprises a cable tie.

6. The safety shield of claim 1 wherein the at least one sheet of material is perforated.

7. The safety shield of claim 1 wherein the at least one sheet of material comprises a plurality of perforations that define a logo.

8. The safety shield of claim 1 wherein the at least one sheet of material has a decorative design on a face of the sheet of material.

9. A safety shield for use with a hand operated winch wheel of a boat lift, the wheel having a rim connected by spokes to a hub, the wheel having multiple openings defined between the spokes and the rim, the safety shield comprising:

a plurality of sheets of material, each sheet having a perimeter shaped to conform to a perimeter of one of the openings defined between the spokes and the rim, each sheet including a plurality of connection points for attaching the perimeter to the spokes and the rim defining the one of the openings.

10. The safety shield of claim 9 wherein each of the connection points comprises a grommet.

11. The safety shield of claim 9 wherein each sheet of material comprises a polyethylene panel.

12. The safety shield of claim 9 further comprising a plurality of connectors adapted to extend from the connection points to the spokes and rim defining the one of the openings.

13. The safety shield of claim 12 wherein each of the connection points comprises a grommet and each of the connectors comprises a cable tie.

14. The safety shield of claim 9 wherein at least one of the sheets is perforated.

15. The safety shield of claim 9 wherein at least one sheet of the sheets comprises a plurality of perforations that define a logo.

16. The safety shield of claim 9 wherein at least one of the sheets has a decorative design on a face of the sheet.

17. A safety shield for use with a hand operated winch wheel of a boat lift, the wheel having a rim connected by spokes to a hub, the wheel having multiple openings defined between the spokes and the rim, the safety shield comprising:

at least one sheet of material having a perimeter shaped to conform to a perimeter of one of the openings defined between the spokes and the rim; and

a plurality of connectors adapted to extend from the perimeter to the spokes and rim defining the one of the openings.

18. The safety shield of claim 17 wherein the at least one sheet of material comprises a polyethylene panel.

19. The safety shield of claim 17 wherein each of the connectors comprises a cable tie.

20. The safety shield of claim 19 further comprising a plurality of grommets located adjacent the perimeter to receive the cable ties.