ADJUSTABLE WIDTH WATERCRAFT LIFT

A free-standing watercraft lift providing a simple adjustment of lateral position of the bunks used to support a watercraft using telescoping cross members on the lifting frames and adjustable spacing of the side beams.

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Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a freestanding watercraft lift, and more specifically, to a freestanding watercraft lift, such as a boat lift, which has a portable frame with typically four feet supported by the seabed, and translating bunks which support a watercraft and are lifted by pivoting arms.

2. Description of the Related Art

Boat bottoms have a variety of shapes and sizes. Many boats have longitudinal running strakes that provide hydrodynamic benefits. Many hydraulic boat lifts support boats using a pair of longitudinal padded bunks. These bunks are best positioned between the running strakes. Currently, there are several designs that allow for lateral adjustment of the bunks on boat lifts. Many of these designs add significant complexity, weight and cost. Other concerns are installation time, durability, maintenance and aesthetics.

Prior art arrangements for adjusting lateral position of bunks are depicted in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, and in U.S. Patent Application Publication US2013/0004238. This patent application and the design shown in FIG. 7 have the top of the pivoting lifting frames connected with longitudinal beams. Cross beams are attached on top of the longitudinal beams. The bunks are attached to the cross beams with bunk brackets. This design is easily adjustable, but is higher cost, takes longer to assemble, and requires more water depth than desirable.

FIG. 6 depicts a lower cost adjustable bunk kit, whereby a longitudinally extending tube 81 is bolted to the outside of each lifting arm 82 and the bunk 83 is bolted to the tube rather than to the lifting arm so as to locate the bunk several inches laterally outward than was the case when bolted directly to the lifting arm. This design only gives one alternate position since mounting the tube 81 to the inside of the lifting arm could contact the boat. Also, the addition of the tubes compromises the aesthetics of the boat lift.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a watercraft lift in the “narrow” configuration according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the watercraft of FIG. 1 in the “narrow” configuration supporting a watercraft.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the watercraft lift of FIG. 1 in the “wide” configuration.

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the watercraft of FIG. 1 in the “wide” configuration.

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of a watercraft lift according to a second embodiment of the present invention using a single cross member.

FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of a watercraft lift using a prior art adjustable bunk kit for adjustment of the lateral position of the bunks.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a prior art watercraft lift with laterally adjustable bunks.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the watercraft lift of FIG. 1 showing the rearward and forward lifting frames adjusted to different lateral separations.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed embodiments of the present invention are free-standing watercraft lifts that allow for safe, fast, and easy lifting and launching of a watercraft, such as a boat. For purposes of illustration, the watercraft lift will be described and illustrated for use with a boat. The combination of these features make the watercraft lift more practical for an owner and a dealer since the bunks can be laterally adjusted to a position that best fits the hull of the boat as needed when the watercraft lift is installed without knowing in advance the details of the particular hull of the boat to be using the watercraft and without using a separate adjustable bunk kit. This is desirable not only since it eliminates the cost of a bunk width adjustment kit, but often the watercraft lift installer does not know an adjustable bunk kit is needed until reaching the location of the intended installation and the boat is fit onto the watercraft lift, which can result in delay in completion of the installation and additional installation cost as a result and the additional cost of the adjustable bunk kit. In addition, the adjustable bunk kit, while allowing adjustment of the width, the amount of adjustment is limited and the use of the kit can degrade the aesthetics of the watercraft lift.

The illustrated embodiments of the watercraft lift of the present invention provide for adjustment of the width of the bunks (i.e., the lateral distance between the left and right bunks) by using telescoping structural members. One illustrated embodiment is useful with designs of hydraulic boat lifts, such as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,908,264, 6,976,442, 7,246,970 and 6,830,410. This style boat lift has the boat supported by two laterally spaced apart bunks. The bunks are attached to at least two pivotally movable H-frames which are pivotally attached to a lower frame and connected to one end of one or more hydraulic cylinders which provide pivotal drive to the H-frames. The other end of the hydraulic cylinders is connected to a hydraulic beam of the lower frame.

The left and right sides of each H-frame are laterally adjustably connected together with an external (or internal) tube, plate or other structure. Similarly, the left and right sides of each hydraulic beam are laterally adjustably connected together with an external (or external tube), plate or other structure.

The drawings illustrate a lifting configuration using a 4 bar linkage arrangement, but the invention is not limited to use with such an arrangement and is applicable to other lifting arm configurations, such as scissor lifts.

A first embodiment of the watercraft lift 10 of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, and includes a lower frame 11 comprised of rearward and forward crossbeams 12 at rearward and forward ends, respectively, of the watercraft lift, and left and right side beams 14. The lower frame 11 is supported by four legs 16, each of which has a foot 18 positionable on the seabed 64. Rearward and forward H-shaped lifting frames 20 and 30, respectively, are pivotally connected to a corresponding one of the left and right side beams 14 with pivot pins 22.

The rearward lifting frame 20 is comprised of left and right lifting arms 21, and the forward lifting frame 30 is comprised of left and right lifting arms 31. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, each of the lifting arms of the left and right lifting arms 21 and 31 has an open upper end portion sized to telescopically receive therein the lower end portion of an upwardly adjustably extendable telescoping member 27. The telescoping member 27 is adjustably connected together with the lifting arm using bolts or pins. Once an upward extension is selected for the telescoping member 27 relative to the lifting arm in which positioned and from which it is projecting, one or more of the bolts or pins is used to hold the telescoping member relative to the lifting arm in the position selected during use of the watercraft lift 10.

The upper end portion of each of the telescoping members 27 of the left lifting arms of the rearward and forward lifting frames 20 and 30 is pivotally connected to a left bunk 48 with pivot pins 28, and the upper end portion of each of the telescoping members 27 of the right lifting arms of the rearward and forward lifting frames 20 and 30 is pivotally connected to a right bunk 50 with pivot pins. A boat 60 is supported on the bunks 50, a shown in FIG. 2. As will be described in detail below, the width of the watercraft lift 10, particularly the lateral distance between the left and right bunks 48 and 50 is adjustable so that details of the hull like the strakes 62 do not contact the bunks 48 and 50. If the strakes of the hull contact the bunks, the boat 60 can be mis-positioned to the side.

This arrangement permits the vertical position of the bunks 48 and 50 relative to the lower frame 11, and effectively the length of the left and right lifting arms 21 and 31 of the rearward and forward lifting frames 20 and 30, which permits adjustment of the lifting range of the rearward and forward lifting frames 20 and 30 by adjusting the extension position of the telescoping member 27 in each of the lifting arms 21 and 31. It is to be understood that while the telescoping members 27 are illustrated as extending from within the left and right lifting arms 21 and 31, the telescoping members can be designed to telescopingly receive the upper end portions of the left and right lifting arms 21 and 31 within an open lower end portions of the telescoping members.

The left and right lifting arms 21 of the rearward lifting frame 20 each have rigidly attached thereto a laterally inward projecting member 24 (shown as a channel) with an inward end portion terminating between the left and right lifting arms 21. The left and right lifting arms 21 of the rearward lifting frame 20 are laterally adjustably connected together by a telescoping member or sleeve 26 having left and right end portions. The left and right end portions of the telescoping sleeve 26 are sized to telescopically adjustably receive therein the inward end portion of the member 24 of a corresponding one the left and right lifting arms 21. The telescoping sleeve 26 and the members 24 of the left and right lifting arms 21 are adjustably connected together using bolts or pins. The left and right end portions of the telescoping sleeve 26 and the inward end portions of the members 24 of the left and right lifting arms 21 each have a plurality of holes positioned to receive one of the bolts or pins to adjustably connect the corresponding ones together to fix the lateral spacing between the left and right lifting arms 21 of the rearward lifting frame 20 during use of the watercraft lift 10.

Once the desired positions of the members 24 of the left and right lifting arms 21 relative to the telescoping sleeve 26 are selected, and hence the lateral spacing of the left and right lifting arms 21 of the rearward lifting frame 20, one or more of the bolts or pins is used to hold the selected positions during use of the watercraft lift 10. Since the left and right bunks 48 and 50 are attached to the upper end portions of the telescoping members 27 of the left and right lifting arms 21 of the rearward lifting frame 20, this sets the lateral spacing of the left and right bunks at the rearward end of the watercraft lift 10, and allows their adjustment to suit the portion of the boat to be supported thereby.

The left and right lifting arms 31 of the forward lifting frame 30 each have rigidly attached thereto a laterally inward projecting member 34 (shown as a channel) with an inward end portion terminating between the left and right lifting arms 31. The left and right lifting arms 31 of the forward lifting frame 30 are laterally adjustably connected together by a telescoping member or sleeve 36 having left and right end portions. The left and right end portions of the telescoping sleeve 36 are sized to telescopically adjustably receive therein the inward end portion of the member 34 of a corresponding one the left and right lifting arms 31. The telescoping sleeve 36 and the members 34 of the left and right lifting arms 31 are adjustably connected together using bolts or pins. The left and right end portions of the telescoping sleeve 36 and the inward end portions of the members 34 of the left and right lifting arms 31 each have a plurality of holes positioned to receive one of the bolts or pins to adjustably connect the corresponding ones together to fix the lateral spacing between the left and right lifting arms 31 of the forward lifting frame 30 during use of the watercraft lift 10.

Once the desired positions of the members 34 of the left and right lifting arms 31 relative to the telescoping sleeve 36 are selected, and hence the lateral spacing of the left and right lifting arms 31 of the forward lifting frame 30, one or more of the bolts or pins is used to hold the selected positions during use of the watercraft lift 10. Since the left and right bunks 48 and 50 are attached to the upper end portions of the telescoping members 27 of the left and right lifting arms 31 of the forward lifting frame 30, this sets the lateral spacing of the left and right bunks at the forward end of the watercraft lift 10, and allows their adjustment to suit the portion of the boat to be supported thereby.

It is to be understood that while the inward end portions of the members 24 and 34 of the left and right lifting arms 21 and 31 are illustrated as extending into the left and right end portions of the telescoping sleeves 26 and 36, inward end portions of the members 24 and 34 can be designed to telescopingly receive therein the left and right end portions of the telescoping sleeves 26 and 36. Alternatively, a telescoping arrangement might not be used, but rather another mechanism to adjustably fix the lateral spacing between the left and right lifting arms 21 and 31 of the rearward and forward lifting frames 20 and 30, such as pairs of plates or other shaped members that can be adjustably fixed relative to each other to fix the lateral spacing between the left and right lifting arms 21 and 31 of the rearward and forward lifting frames 20 and 30.

It is to be further understood, that either the left and right end portions of the telescoping sleeves 26 and 36, or the inward end portions of the members 24 and 34 of the left and right lifting arms 21 and 31 could have a plurality of holes and the other a single hole, or any other arrangement of holes may be used, preferably to provide a plurality of positions by which the left and right end portions of the telescoping sleeves 26 and 36, and the inward end portions of the members 24 and 34 of the left and right lifting arms 21 and 31 may be connected together.

The watercraft lift 10 of the illustrated embodiment further has the left and right side beams 14 laterally adjustably attached to the rearward and forward cross beams 12 by connectors or saddles 15. This permits the ends of the left and right side beams 14 to be adjustably positioned along the rearward and forward cross beams 12 as needed to accommodate the change in lateral spacing between the left and right bunks 48 and 50 resulting from the adjustments described above, and keep a correct orientation for the left and right lifting arms 21 and 31 of the rearward and forward lifting frames 20 and 30. The saddles 15 may be securely clamped to the rearward and forward cross beams 12 once the left and right side beams 14 are moved to the positions desired for use of the watercraft lift 10 and retained in that position during use of the watercraft lift.

As shown in FIG. 8, the lateral spacing between the left and right lifting arms 21 of the rearward lifting frame 20 may be adjusted to a different lateral spacing than the lateral spacing between the left and right lifting arms 31 of the forward lifting frame 30. In FIG. 8 the left and right lifting arms 21 of the rearward lifting frame 20 are adjusted to be spaced laterally closer together than the left and right lifting arms 31 of the forward lifting frame 30, and hence the left and right bunks 48 and 50 are not parallel but rather are angle toward each other in the direction of the rearward cross beam 12. This can be useful when having a V-shaped arrangement for the left and right bunks 48 and 50 better accommodates the shape of the hull or the location of the strakes 62 of the boat 60 being supported by the bunks. This non-parallel adjustment of the left and right bunks 48 and 50 can be accomplished in various ways, such as by the sizing of the saddles 15 relative to the rearward and forward cross beams 12 which are used to clamp the left and right side beams 14 to the rearward and forward cross beams so as to not limit the connection thereto to just a 90 degree relationship, by angling of the connection of the saddles relative to the left and right side beams 14, or by providing a hinged connection of the saddles to the left and right side beams.

In the illustrated embodiment of the watercraft lift 10, a lower hydraulic beam 38 is used for attachment of one end of one or more hydraulic actuators 39 used to pivot the rearward lifting frame 20 to raise and lower the bunks 48 and 50 when the watercraft lift is in used, much as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,908,264 and 6,976,442. The other end of the hydraulic actuator 39 is connected directly or indirectly to one or both of the left and right lifting arms 21 of the rearward lifting frame 20. The lower hydraulic beam 38 is connected to and extends between the left and right side beams 14. As the spacing between the left and right side beams 14 changes to adjustably position the left and right side beams along the rearward and forward cross beams 12, as described above to accommodate the change in lateral spacing between the left and right bunks 48 and 50, it is desirable to provide for extension of the length of the lower hydraulic beam 38. To do so, the lower hydraulic beam 38 includes left and right laterally inward projecting attachment arms 40 and 44, respectively, with the left attachment arm 40 rigidly attached to the left side beam 14 and the right attachment are 44 rigidly attached to the right side beam. The lower end of the left side hydraulic actuator 39 is attached to the left attachment arm 40, and the right side hydraulic actuator is attached to the right attachment arm 44. The left and right attachment arms 40 and 44 are laterally adjustably connected together by a telescoping member or sleeve 46 having left and right end portions. The left and right end portions of the telescoping sleeve 46 are sized to telescopically adjustably receive therein the inward end portion of a corresponding one of the left and right attachment members 40 and 44. The telescoping sleeve 46 and the attachment members 40 and 44 are adjustably connected together using bolts or pins. The left and right end portions of the telescoping sleeve 46 and the inward end portions of the left and right attachment members 40 and 44 each have a plurality of holes positioned to receive one of the bolts or pins to adjustably connect the corresponding ones together to fix the lateral spacing between the left and right side beams 14 during use of the watercraft lift 10.

Once the desired positions of the attachment members 40 and 44 relative to the telescoping sleeve 46 are selected, and hence the lateral spacing of the left and right side beams 14, one or more of the bolts or pins is used to hold the selected positions during use of the watercraft lift 10.

A second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 5. In this second embodiment, the rearward and forward lifting frames 20 and 30 each has rigidly attached to the left lifting arm 21 and 31 a laterally inward projecting member 71 with an inward end portion, and a telescoping member or sleeve 72 rigidly attached to the right lifting arm and having a left end portion. The left end portion of the telescoping sleeve 72 is sized to telescopically adjustably receive therein the inward end portion of the correspondingly positioned one of the members 71. The telescoping sleeve 72 and the members 71 are adjustably connected together using bolts or pins. The left end portion of the telescoping sleeve 72 and the inward end portion of the corresponding members 71 each have a plurality of holes positioned to receive one of the bolts or pins to adjustably connect them together to fix the lateral spacing between the left and right lifting arms 21 and 31 of the rearward and forward lifting frames 20 and 30 during use of the watercraft lift 10, much as described above but without requiring use of an inward projecting member 24 attached to both the left and right lifting arms 21.

Once the desired positions of the members 71 of the left lifting arm 21 relative to the corresponding telescoping sleeves 72 attached to the right lifting arm are selected, and hence the lateral spacing of the left and right lifting arms 21 of the rearward and forward lifting frames 20 and 30, one or more of the bolts or pins is used to hold the selected positions during use of the watercraft lift 10. Since the left and right bunks 48 and 50 are attached to the upper end portions of the telescoping members 27 of the left and right lifting arms 21 of the rearward and forward lifting frames 20 and 30, this sets the lateral spacing of the left and right bunks at the rearward and forward ends of the watercraft lift 10, and allows their adjustment to suit the portion of the boat to be supported thereby.

It is to be understood that the attachment locations of the member 71 and the telescoping sleeve 72 may be reversed.

The foregoing described embodiments depict different components contained within, or connected with, different other components. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated” such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermediary components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being “operably connected”, or “operably coupled”, to each other to achieve the desired functionality.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention and its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of this invention. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is solely defined by the appended claims. It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).

Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A watercraft lift for raising and lowering a watercraft in water, comprising:

a base frame including at least spaced apart forward and rearward laterally extending base members;
a left side watercraft support for supporting the watercraft thereon;
a right side watercraft support for supporting the watercraft thereon;
a left side support frame having a forward support member with a lower end portion and an upper end portion, and a rearward support member with a lower end portion and an upper end portion, the lower end portions of the forward and rearward support members of the left side support frame being pivotally connected to the base frame, and the upper end portions of the forward and rearward support members of the left side support frame being pivotally connected to the left side watercraft support; and
a right side support frame having a forward support member with a lower end portion and an upper end portion, and a rearward support member with a lower end portion and an upper end portion, the lower end portions of the forward and rearward support members of the right side support frame being pivotally connected to the base frame, and the upper end portions of the forward and rearward support members of the right side support frame being pivotally connected to the right side watercraft support, at least one of the left and right side support frames being selectively laterally movable relative to the other and the base frame to permit adjustment of the lateral distance between the left and right side watercraft supports, and being lockable in place to prevent further lateral movement thereof during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side watercraft supports.

2. The watercraft lift of claim 1, wherein the forward support member of the left side support frame and the forward support member of the right side support frame are connected together by a transverse forward support member extending between the forward support member of the left side support frame and the forward support member of the right side support frame, and the rearward support member of the left side support frame and the rearward support member of the right side support frame are connected together by a transverse rearward support member extending between the rearward support member of the left side support frame and the rearward support member of the right side support frame, the transverse forward and rearward support members being selectively extendable to accommodate the lateral movement of the at least one selectively laterally movable one of the left and right side support frames, and lockable in place to prevent further extension thereof during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side watercraft supports.

3. The watercraft lift of claim 2, wherein the transverse forward support member has a left side end portion connected to the forward support member of the left side support frame, a right side end portion connected to the forward support member of the right side support frame, and a middle portion adjustably movable relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse forward support member to provide for the extendable movement of the transverse forward support member to accommodate the lateral movement of the at least one selectively laterally movable one of the left and right side support frames, and lockable in place relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse forward support member to prevent further extension of the transverse forward support member during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side watercraft supports, and the transverse rearward support member has a left side end portion connected to the rearward support member of the left side support frame, a right side end portion connected to the rearward support member of the right side support frame, and a middle portion adjustably movable relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse rearward support member to provide for the extendable movement of the transverse rearward support member to accommodate the lateral movement of the at least one selectively laterally movable one of the left and right side support frames, and lockable in place relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse rearward support member to prevent further extension of the transverse rearward support member during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side watercraft supports.

4. The watercraft lift of claim 2, wherein the transverse forward support member has a left side end portion connected to the forward support member of the left side support frame and a right side end portion connected to the forward support member of the right side support frame, the left and right side portions of the transverse forward support member being selectively laterally movable relative to the other to provide for the extendable movement of the transverse forward support member to accommodate the lateral movement of the at least one selectively laterally movable one of the left and right side support frames, and lockable in place relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse forward support member to prevent further extension of the transverse forward support member during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side watercraft supports, and the transverse rearward support member has a left side end portion connected to the rearward support member of the left side support frame and a right side end portion connected to the rearward support member of the right side support frame, the left and right side portions of the transverse rearward support member being selectively laterally movable relative to the other to provide for the extendable movement of the transverse rearward support member to accommodate the lateral movement of the at least one selectively laterally movable one of the left and right side support frame, and lockable in place relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse rearward support member to prevent further extension of the transverse rearward support member during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side watercraft supports.

5. The watercraft lift of claim 1, wherein the forward support member of the left side support frame and the forward support member of the right side support frame are connected together by a transverse forward support member extending between the forward support member of the left side support frame and the forward support member of the right side support frame, the transverse forward support member being selectively extendable to accommodate the lateral movement of the at least one selectively laterally movable one of the left and right side support frames, and lockable in place to prevent further extension thereof during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side watercraft supports.

6. The watercraft lift of claim 5, wherein the transverse forward support member has a left side end portion connected to the forward support member of the left side support frame, a right side end portion connected to the forward support member of the right side support frame, and a middle portion adjustably movable relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse forward support member to provide for the extendable movement of the transverse forward support member to accommodate the lateral movement of the at least one selectively laterally movable one of the left and right side support frames, and lockable in place relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse forward support member to prevent further extension of the transverse forward support member during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side watercraft supports.

7. The watercraft lift of claim 5, wherein the transverse forward support member has a left side end portion connected to the forward support member of the left side support frame and a right side end portion connected to the forward support member of the right side support frame, the left and right side portions of the transverse forward support member being selectively laterally movable relative to the other to provide for the extendable movement of the transverse forward support member to accommodate the lateral movement of the at least one selectively laterally movable one of the left and right side support frames, and lockable in place relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse forward support member to prevent further extension of the transverse forward support member during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side watercraft supports.

8. The watercraft lift of claim 1, wherein the rearward support member of the left side support frame and the rearward support member of the right side support frame are connected together by a transverse rearward support member extending between the rearward support member of the left side support frame and the rearward support member of the right side support frame, the transverse rearward support members being selectively extendable to accommodate the lateral movement of the at least one selectively laterally movable one of the left and right side support frames, and lockable in place to prevent further extension thereof during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side watercraft supports.

9. The watercraft lift of claim 8, wherein the transverse rearward support member has a left side end portion connected to the rearward support member of the left side support frame, a right side end portion connected to the rearward support member of the right side support frame, and a middle portion adjustably movable relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse rearward support member to provide for the extendable movement of the transverse rearward support member to accommodate the lateral movement of the at least one selectively laterally movable one of the left and right side support frames, and lockable in place relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse rearward support member to prevent further extension of the transverse rearward support member during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side watercraft supports.

10. The watercraft lift of claim 8, wherein the transverse rearward support member has a left side end portion connected to the rearward support member of the left side support frame and a right side end portion connected to the rearward support member of the right side support frame, the left and right side portions of the transverse rearward support member being selectively laterally movable relative to the other to provide for the extendable movement of the transverse rearward support member to accommodate the lateral movement of the at least one selectively laterally movable one of the left and right side support frame, and lockable in place relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse rearward support member to prevent further extension of the transverse rearward support member during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side watercraft supports.

11. The watercraft lift of claim 1, wherein the base frame includes a left side base member extending between the forward and rearward laterally extending base members and a right side base member extending between the forward and rearward laterally extending base members, with the lower end portions of the forward and rearward support members of the left side support frame being pivotally connected to the left side base member, and with the lower end portions of the forward and rearward support members of the right side support frame being pivotally connected to the right side base member, at least one of the left and right side base members being selectively laterally movable relative to the other and the forward and rearward laterally extending base members of the base frame to accomplish the lateral movement of the at least one selectively laterally movable one of the left and right side support frames, and being lockable in place relative to the forward and rearward laterally extending base members to prevent further lateral movement thereof relative to the forward and rearward laterally extending base members during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side watercraft supports.

12. The watercraft lift of claim 11, further including at least one hydraulic cylinder to selectively pivot the left and right side support frames for raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side watercraft supports, and wherein the left side base member and the right side base member are connected together by a transverse hydraulic cylinder support member extending between the left and right side base members and to which one end portion of the at least one hydraulic cylinder is connected, the transverse hydraulic cylinder support members being selectively extendable to accommodate the lateral movement of the at least one of the selectively laterally movable one of the left and right side base members, and lockable in place to prevent further extension thereof during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side watercraft supports.

13. A watercraft lift for raising and lowering a watercraft in water, comprising:

a base frame including at least spaced apart forward and rearward laterally extending base members;
a left side bunk for supporting the watercraft thereon;
a right side bunk for supporting the watercraft thereon;
a left side support frame having a forward support member with a lower end portion and an upper end portion, and a rearward support member with a lower end portion and an upper end portion, the lower end portions of the forward and rearward support members of the left side support frame being pivotally connected to the base frame, and the upper end portions of the forward and rearward support members of the left side support frame being pivotally connected to the left side bunk, the left side support frame being selectively laterally movable relative to the forward and rearward laterally extending base members of the base frame to thereby adjust the lateral distance between the left and right side bunks, and lockable in place to prevent further lateral movement thereof during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side bunks; and
a right side support frame having a forward support member with a lower end portion and an upper end portion, and a rearward support member with a lower end portion and an upper end portion, the lower end portions of the forward and rearward support members of the right side support frame being pivotally connected to the base frame, and the upper end portions of the forward and rearward support members of the right side support frame being pivotally connected to the right side bunk, the right side support frame being selectively laterally movable relative to the forward and rearward laterally extending base members of the base frame to permit adjustment of the lateral distance between the left and right side bunks, and lockable in place to prevent further lateral movement thereof during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side bunks.

14. The watercraft lift of claim 13, wherein the forward support member of the left side support frame and the forward support member of the right side support frame are connected together by a transverse forward support member extending between the forward support member of the left side support frame and the forward support member of the right side support frame, and the rearward support member of the left side support frame and the rearward support member of the right side support frame are connected together by a transverse rearward support member extending between the rearward support member of the left side support frame and the rearward support member of the right side support frame, the transverse forward and rearward support members being selectively extendable to accommodate the lateral movement of the left and right side support frames, and lockable in place to prevent further extension thereof during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side bunks.

15. The watercraft lift of claim 14, wherein the transverse forward support member has a left side end portion connected to the forward support member of the left side support frame, a right side end portion connected to the forward support member of the right side support frame, and a middle portion adjustably movable relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse forward support member to provide for the extendable movement of the transverse forward support member to accommodate the lateral movement of the left and right side support frames, and lockable in place relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse forward support member to prevent further extension of the transverse forward support member during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side bunks, and the transverse rearward support member has a left side end portion connected to the rearward support member of the left side support frame, a right side end portion connected to the rearward support member of the right side support frame, and a middle portion adjustably movable relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse rearward support member to provide for the extendable movement of the transverse rearward support member to accommodate the lateral movement of the left and right side support frames, and lockable in place relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse rearward support member to prevent further extension of the transverse rearward support member during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side bunks.

16. The watercraft lift of claim 14, wherein the transverse forward support member has a left side end portion connected to the forward support member of the left side support frame and a right side end portion connected to the forward support member of the right side support frame, the left and right side portions of the transverse forward support member being selectively laterally movable relative to the other to provide for the extendable movement of the transverse forward support member to accommodate the lateral movement of the left and right side support frames, and lockable in place relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse forward support member to prevent further extension of the transverse forward support member during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side bunks, and the transverse rearward support member has a left side end portion connected to the rearward support member of the left side support frame and a right side end portion connected to the rearward support member of the right side support frame, the left and right side portions of the transverse rearward support member being selectively laterally movable relative to the other to provide for the extendable movement of the transverse rearward support member to accommodate the lateral movement of the left and right side support frame, and lockable in place relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse rearward support member to prevent further extension of the transverse rearward support member during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side bunks.

17. The watercraft lift of claim 13, wherein the forward support member of the left side support frame and the forward support member of the right side support frame are connected together by a transverse forward support member extending between the forward support member of the left side support frame and the forward support member of the right side support frame, the transverse forward support member being selectively extendable to accommodate the lateral movement of the left and right side support frames, and lockable in place to prevent further extension thereof during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side bunks.

18. The watercraft lift of claim 17, wherein the transverse forward support member has a left side end portion connected to the forward support member of the left side support frame, a right side end portion connected to the forward support member of the right side support frame, and a middle portion adjustably movable relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse forward support member to provide for the extendable movement of the transverse forward support member to accommodate the lateral movement of the left and right side support frames, and lockable in place relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse forward support member to prevent further extension of the transverse forward support member during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side bunks.

19. The watercraft lift of claim 17, wherein the transverse forward support member has a left side end portion connected to the forward support member of the left side support frame and a right side end portion connected to the forward support member of the right side support frame, the left and right side portions of the transverse forward support member being selectively laterally movable relative to the other to provide for the extendable movement of the transverse forward support member to accommodate the lateral movement of the left and right side support frames, and lockable in place relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse forward support member to prevent further extension of the transverse forward support member during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side bunks.

20. The watercraft lift of claim 13, wherein the rearward support member of the left side support frame and the rearward support member of the right side support frame are connected together by a transverse rearward support member extending between the rearward support member of the left side support frame and the rearward support member of the right side support frame, the transverse rearward support members being selectively extendable to accommodate the lateral movement of the left and right side support frames, and lockable in place to prevent further extension thereof during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side bunks.

21. The watercraft lift of claim 20, wherein the transverse rearward support member has a left side end portion connected to the rearward support member of the left side support frame, a right side end portion connected to the rearward support member of the right side support frame, and a middle portion adjustably movable relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse rearward support member to provide for the extendable movement of the transverse rearward support member to accommodate the lateral movement of the left and right side support frames, and lockable in place relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse rearward support member to prevent further extension of the transverse rearward support member during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side bunks.

22. The watercraft lift of claim 20, wherein the transverse rearward support member has a left side end portion connected to the rearward support member of the left side support frame and a right side end portion connected to the rearward support member of the right side support frame, the left and right side portions of the transverse rearward support member being selectively laterally movable relative to the other to provide for the extendable movement of the transverse rearward support member to accommodate the lateral movement of the left and right side support frame, and lockable in place relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse rearward support member to prevent further extension of the transverse rearward support member during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side bunks.

23. The watercraft lift of claim 13, wherein the base frame includes a left side base member extending between the forward and rearward laterally extending base members and a right side base member extending between the forward and rearward laterally extending base members, with the lower end portions of the forward and rearward support members of the left side support frame being pivotally connected to the left side base member, and with the lower end portions of the forward and rearward support members of the right side support frame being pivotally connected to the right side base member, at least one of the left and right side base members being selectively laterally movable relative to the other and the forward and rearward laterally extending base members of the base frame to accomplish the lateral movement of the left and right side support frames, and being lockable in place relative to the forward and rearward laterally extending base members to prevent further lateral movement thereof relative to the forward and rearward laterally extending base members during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side bunks.

24. The watercraft lift of claim 23, further including at least one hydraulic cylinder to selectively pivot the left and right side support frames for raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side bunks, and wherein the left side base member and the right side base member are connected together by a transverse hydraulic cylinder support member extending between the left and right side base members and to which one end portion of the at least one hydraulic cylinder is connected, the transverse hydraulic cylinder support members being selectively extendable to accommodate the lateral movement of the left and right side base members, and lockable in place to prevent further extension thereof during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side bunks.

25. A watercraft lift for raising and lowering a watercraft in water, comprising:

a base frame;
a left side bunk for supporting the watercraft thereon;
a right side bunk for supporting the watercraft thereon;
a forward support frame having left and right side forward support members, each with a lower end portion pivotally connected to the base frame and an upper end portion, the upper end portion of the left side forward support member being pivotally connected to the left side bunk and the upper end portion of the right side forward support member being pivotally connected to the right side bunk, the left and right side forward support members of the forward support frame being adjustably laterally movable relative to each other to thereby permit selective lateral movement of the left and right side forward support members of the forward support frame to adjust the lateral distance between the left and right side bunks, and lockable in place to prevent further lateral movement thereof during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side bunks; and
a rearward support frame having left and right side rearward support members, each with a lower end portion pivotally connected to the base frame and an upper end portion, the upper end portion of the left side rearward support member being pivotally connected to the left side bunk and the upper end portion of the right side rearward support member being pivotally connected to the right side bunk, the left and right side forward support members of the rearward support frame being adjustably laterally movable relative to each other to thereby permit selective lateral movement of the left and right side rearward support members of the rearward support frame to adjust the lateral distance between the left and right side bunks, and lockable in place to prevent further lateral movement thereof during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side bunks.

26. The watercraft lift of claim 25, wherein the left and right side forward support member of the forward support frame are connected together by a transverse forward support member extending between the left and right side forward support members of the forward support frame, the transverse forward support members being selectively extendable to accommodate the lateral movement of the left and right side forward support members of the forward support frame, and lockable in place to prevent further extension thereof during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side bunks.

27. The watercraft lift of claim 26, wherein the left and right side rearward support member of the rearward support frame are connected together by a transverse rearward support member extending between the left and right side rearward support members of the rearward support frame, the transverse rearward support members being selectively extendable to accommodate the lateral movement of the left and right side rearward support members of the rearward support frame, and lockable in place to prevent further extension thereof during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side bunks.

28. The watercraft lift of claim 27, wherein the left and right side forward support members of the forward support frame each have a mid-portion located between the lower end portion and the upper end portion thereof, and the transverse forward support member is connected to the mid-portion of the left side forward support member of the forward support frame and to the mid-portion of the right side forward support member of the forward support frame, and the left and right side rearward support members of the rearward support frame each have a mid-portion located between the lower end portion and the upper end portion thereof, and the transverse rearward support member is connected to the mid-portion of the left side rearward support member of the rearward support frame and to the mid-portion of the right side rearward support member of the rearward support frame.

29. The watercraft lift of claim 25, wherein the left and right side rearward support member of the rearward support frame are connected together by a transverse rearward support member extending between the left and right side rearward support members of the rearward support frame, the transverse rearward support members being selectively extendable to accommodate the lateral movement of the left and right side rearward support members of the rearward support frame, and lockable in place to prevent further extension thereof during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side bunks.

Patent History
Publication number: 20140017009
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 2, 2013
Publication Date: Jan 16, 2014
Inventor: Kenneth Edwards Hey (Mercer Island, WA)
Application Number: 13/933,489
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Lifting (405/3)
International Classification: B63C 3/06 (20060101);