Abstract: An apparatus for lifting and storing a boat above water and particularly for shallow water, is made up of a pair of laterally spaced floats fixedly secured to inner ends of a pair of beams whose outer ends are pivotally secured to a dock, a set of fixed posts, a bulkhead or other fixed structure. The floats and beams form a well having an entrance away from which is mounted a rear bar and further away from the rear bar and on the beams is mounted a front bar. A boat mounting frame onto which a boat can be driven under its own power is pivotally mounted on the rear bar such that after a boat is loaded on the boat mounting frame, the frame can be tilted such that its leading end engages the front bar and maintains the boat above the water in a position suited for storage. A method of forming the apparatus and a kit containing the apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A portable flotation platform is disclosed for use in supporting a load of equipment, hunting dogs, or personnel above the level of a body of water. The platform includes a deck constructed to be of an overall density less than that of water and sized so as to support the load above the level of the water. An anchor extends down to the bottom of the water and up to the deck to hold the deck on station in the water. The deck is provided with a carrying attachment to facilitate the user carrying the deck to a point of deployment at the water. The deck further has anchor storage for carrying the anchor along with the deck to the point of deployment.

Abstract: A boatlift buoyancy system for assisting in maneuvering a boatlift while in the water by adding buoyancy to the boatlift. The boatlift buoyancy system includes a first tube and a second tube attachable to the horizontal support beams of a boatlift that are capable of receiving of volume of air and/or water. A first hose and a second hose are fluidly connected to the first tube and second tube respectively for delivering pressurized air when buoyancy is desired for the boatlift. The first tube and the second tube also have a first aperture and a second aperture respectively within lower portions thereof for allowing for the draining of water when pressurized air is input into the tubes.

Abstract: A device for lifting a seagoing construction such as a drilling rig, which device comprises one or more floater bodies, one or more beam-like lifting members supported movably on a floater body and running parallel or practically parallel to each other, wherein the or each lifting member is supported on at least two support points of the floater body, at least one of which is adjustable in height direction, and the end part of the lifting member lying outside the floater body has a pressure point which is in contact with the construction for lifting, this such that the seagoing construction can be easily connected to the end of the lifting member without this construction suffering damage as a result of the sea swell.

Abstract: A laden ship is transported across a shallow portion of a watercourse by a submergible floating vessel, while the ship is lifted upwardly within the water by means of a vessel platform placed under the hull. The vessel is preferably comprised of a multiplicity of rigid U-shape, separately floodable, buoyant sections, including end sections, which have self-propulsion. The several sections are pivotably interconnected, as by hinge assemblies, so the transporter platforms adjust to major up or down bends along the length of the hull, during lifting. The platforms are surfaced with a layer of resilient deformable material, or movable blocks, to accommodate local irregularities in the bottom of the ship.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a floating watercraft lift capable of raising and lowering a watercraft, and more particularly to a floating watercraft lift. In one embodiment, the watercraft lift includes a pair of longitudinally extending and approximately parallel floats with an apparatus for supporting and lifting the watercraft positioned between the floats. When the watercraft lift is positioned in a lowered position, the apparatus is submerged and each of the floats is in a first orientation and partially submerged. The apparatus may then be activated to move the watercraft lift to a raised position by moving the floats downwardly and inwardly towards the watercraft, so that the floats become further submerged in the water. The buoyancy of the submerging floats thus lifts the lift apparatus and the watercraft above the water surface.

Abstract: A weather resistant dock walkway comprises a dock walkway substructure in combination with a plurality of elongated planks each with a first and second opposite ends. The planks are rotatable between a horizontal position and a vertical position, and are arranged side-by-side. The first and second opposite ends of each plank are attached to the opposite ends of the substructure. The planks are responsive to contact with a body of water such that the planks rotate from a horizontal position to a vertical position to enable surging water to circulate freely between the vertical planks to prevent surge damage to the weather resistant dock walkway. A ratchet system can be used to reversibly lock the planks in a vertical position.

Abstract: In a lift for mooring a boat stern-on, a pair of horizontally spaced guide members is fixed to the sea wall. A frame is fixed to a pair of substantially parallel hydro-pneumatic buoyancy tanks to provide a flotation platform for supporting the hull of the boat. The stern end of each of the tanks is connected to the guide members. The guide members limit movement of the platform away from the sea wall and along the sea wall but permit vertical reciprocation of the stern ends of the lift tanks in unison and restrict the lift from listing during operation.

Abstract: A plastic rotationally molded polyethylene buoyancy tank for boat lifts allows connection of steel to lengthwise grooves molded into each side of the buoyancy tank. Preferably, a plastic bulkhead is formed within the tank during its molding process. A segment of framing steel is bracketed between a pair of inwardly tapered compressible opposed grips. The compressible grips each have outwardly tapered slots with mating tapered rigid inserts. With the inserts partially seated on the grips, the grips are slipped lengthwise or pressed laterally into their respective grooves. Bolts extending through the grips into threaded holes in the inserts are tightened to pull the grips over their tapered inserts. This spreads and compresses the grips in their respective grooves, locking the brackets and connecting steel in place on top of the tanks.

Abstract: A plastic rotationally molded polyethylene buoyancy tank for boat lifts allows connection of steel to lengthwise grooves molded into each side of the buoyancy tank. Preferably, a plastic bulkhead is formed within the tank during its molding process. A segment of framing steel is bracketed between a pair of inwardly tapered compressible opposed grips. The compressible grips each have outwardly tapered slots with mating tapered rigid inserts. With the inserts partially seated on the grips, the grips are slipped lengthwise or pressed laterally into their respective grooves. Bolts extending through the grips into threaded holes in the inserts are tightened to pull the grips over their tapered inserts. This spreads and compresses the grips in their respective grooves, locking the brackets and connecting steel in place on top of the tanks.

Abstract: A fender protective structure having an inner layer of resilient plastic/elastomer alloy having a delayed elastic response, having voids to reduce weight and allow the inner layer to expand upon impact. A relatively hard top layer is also provided.

Abstract: A portable dock structure for the temporary docking of boats, particularly of pontoon or houseboats and the like, the dock structure having a gangway having an anchor end adapted for securing the structure to the shore of a body of water and having a boat end adapted for affixing to a boat, a flotation device on the gangway adjacent the boat end whereby the boat end can be first floated from the shore out into the water and the anchor end then secured to the shore and then the boat end affixed to a boat to thereby provide a stable passageway between the boat and the shore.

Abstract: A portable flotation platform is disclosed for use in supporting a load of equipment or hunting dogs above the level of a shallow body of water. The platform includes a deck constructed to be of an overall density less than that of water and sized so as to support the load above the level of the water. An anchor extends down to the bottom of the water and up to the deck to hold the deck on station in the water. The deck is provided with a carrying attachment to facilitate the user carrying the deck to the point of deployment on the water.

Abstract: In a lift for mooring a boat stern-on, a pair of horizontally spaced guide members is fixed to the sea wall. A frame is fixed to a pair of substantially parallel hydro-pneumatic buoyancy tanks to provide a flotation platform for supporting the hull of the boat. The stern end of each of the tanks is connected to the guide members. The guide members limit movement of the platform away from the sea wall and along the sea wall but permit vertical reciprocation of the stern ends of the lift tanks in unison and restrict the lift from listing during operation.

Abstract: A solar powered boat lift includes a support structure adjacent to the boat to be lifted. There is a platform for accommodating the boat thereon and cables are operably connected to the platform for enabling raising and lowering thereof. A plurality of reversible DC motors are mounted to the support structure and operably connected to the cables for selectively driving the cables longitudinally in a first direction to raise the platform and in an opposite direction to lower the platform. A rechargeable battery is operably connected to each DC motor for providing electrical power to drive the motor. A solar collector is connected to the rechargeable batteries for collecting solar energy and converting such energy to electrical power that is delivered to the rechargeable batteries for recharging thereof. In an alternative embodiment, a single solar rechargeable battery is employed and a power cable is electrically interconnected between the motors and attached to the support structure entirely above the water.

Abstract: A portable floatation assembly 10 which selectively elevates a watercraft 20 above a water line. The portable floatation assembly 10 includes a plurality of generally hollow body portions 12 having a plurality of boat reception grooves 32 and a plurality of apertures 30 which selectively couples to a plurality of apertures 26 disposed along the periphery of generally flat base members 14 which contain a central aperture 22. Each generally hollow body member 12 and a unique one of the base members 14 cooperates to form a generally hollow cavity 60 within the cooperatively formed floatation devices 44. Portable floatation assembly 10 further includes a plurality of conduits 16 which are coupled to both a pump 18 and the floatation devices 44 through central aperture 22, effective to displace a volume of air within cavity 60 of floatation devices 44, which is effective to selectively and conveniently elevate a watercraft 20 above a water line.

Abstract: The cost of building a five thousand pound boat lift is substantially cut in half by using three pilings instead of four. The three pilings include a pair of outboard pilings and a single inboard piling. A boat-supporting cradle includes a leading frame member having an outboard end positioned near a leading piling of the pair of outboard pilings and an inboard end positioned near the single inboard piling. A trailing frame member has an outboard end positioned near a trailing piling of the pair of outboard pilings and an inboard end positioned near the single piling. A longitudinally disposed brace interconnects the leading and trailing frame members near their respective outboard ends and a longitudinally disposed plate interconnects the frame members near their respective inboard ends. An equalizer assembly is pivotally mounted to the plate and opposite ends of the equalizer assembly are connected by separate cables to a winch that surmounts the single piling.

Abstract: In a first embodiment the combination boat dry dock and boat launching apparatus includes two planar dock sections pivotally connected to each other. The dock sections include cradle straps for supporting the hull of a boat with the longitudinal axis of the boat in substantial parallel relationship with the pivot axis of the dock sections. Each dock section is supported by two pontoons attached at proximal and distal portions of the dock sections. The two pontoons at respective proximal portions of the dock sections may be flooded with water to allow the proximal portions of the dock sections to descend below water level for launching of a boat. Air is introduced into these two pontoons for expelling water and thereby raising the dock sections above the water level. In a second embodiment, a constant buoyancy pontoon is mounted to each dock section intermediate the other pontoons. A pump and conduits transfer water between the proximal and distal pontoons of each dock section.

Abstract: Apparatus for raising and lowering boats in water. The apparatus consists essentially of at least one float that is attached to the hull of the boat and is guided along the surface of the hull of the boat at least partially below water level when a force is applied to it. Preferably at least two floats that are permanently or displaceably attached to the apparatus support in the longitudinal direction and are provided on the side of the support which is intended to accommodate the hull of a boat. The entire device is designed so it is adjustable in height and is connected to a stationary land-based mooring point with an articulated joint. This device is especially reliable for raising a boat out of the water and docking the boat above the water line without risking canting. This result is possible in an inexpensive and very simple manner with the invention. The usable width of the entire device is greatly reduced from previously known such devices.

Abstract: A transport system includes a dry dock mounted on an air cushion platform portage a ship overland. The system raises the ship from one body of water, hauls it across different surfaces, and launches it in another body of water. Ships and other water borne vessels can be portaged on air cushions across land, marsh, bog, or other impediments to navigable waters, or barge-like work platforms can be taken to work sites on water, swamps or tundra and retrieved after completion of the task. Transport system and ships can bypass canals and locks if these become inoperable, or the canals and locks can be circumvented if political conflicts deny their access.

Abstract: Apparatus for raising and lowering boats in water. The apparatus consists essentially of at least one float that is attached to the hull of the boat and is guided along the surface of the hull of the boat at least partially below water level when a force is applied to it. Preferably at least two floats that are permanently or displaceably attached to the apparatus support in the longitudinal direction and are provided on the side of the support which is intended to accommodate the hull of a boat. The entire device is designed so it is adjustable in height and is connected to a stationary land-based mooring point with an articulated joint. This device is especially reliable for raising a boat out of the water and docking the boat above the water line without risking canting. This result is possible in an inexpensive and very simple manner with the invention. The usable width of the entire device is greatly reduced from previously known such devices.

Abstract: A device for protecting objects such as houses, industrial and commercial buildings, storage vessels, boat moorings, and the like from rising water, as in floods, is described. The device comprises a lifting component, termed a liquilift, which act to raise the objects being protected above the rising water. Two types of liquilifts, sealed and nonsealed, are described. Although a single liquilift may be used effectively to protect objects from rising water, preferred embodiments of the invention employ several liquilifts. For example, one form of the invention provides for a generally rectangular support frame, to which the object being protected is attached, to be supported by four liquilifts, disposed near the corners of the support frame. Controls to sense the level of rising water, and to maintain the support frame in a horizontal position, are described. The device also includes a power supply to activate the components thereof.

Abstract: A boat protection and storage device including a housing dimensioned for receiving a boat therein. The housing is adapted for floating in a body of water. A gate member couples with an open rearward wall of the housing. A buoyant member is secured to the housing.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a combination boat lift and dock 10 is described having two spaced pontoons with an intermediate boat support 18. Pivot arm structures 20, 22 pivotally interconnect the boat support 18 with the pontoons. A drive mechanism 24 is connected to the pivot arm structures 20, 22 for pivoting the arm structures downward and inward to move at least one of the pontoons laterally inward toward the other pontoon to raise the boat support to lift a stored boat out of the water. The drive mechanism 24 is also designed to pivot the arm structures upward and outward to move at least one of the pontoons away form the other pontoon to lower the boat support 18 and lowering the boat into the water. The arm structures are pivotally connected to the underside of the pontoons. The dock 10 further includes a pontoon stabilizing mechanism 26 for preventing the pontoons from rocking or tilting.

Abstract: A floating boat lift capable of accommodating a wide variety of V-hulled boats. The boat lift is comprised of docking members, a bow stop that protects the hull of the boat, a stern segment and at least one intermediate segment. The stern segment and intermediate segment contain a channel with rollers that assist in conveying the boat over the boat lift and supporting the boat when docked. The rollers have different height configurations and can be positioned in different trays in the channel so that they can be used with boats that have different dead rise angles.

Abstract: A boat lift method and design which enables a boat to be efficiently stored above water at a dock location to prevent algae and dock damage to a boat. The design minimizes listing of the boat lift during use and thus reduces potential damage to the dock and the lift itself. Listing is minimized via a dual system which uses a specially designed buoyant tank and a jackscrew at one end of the boat lift. The system may be easily used for wide-spread commercial appeal in the boat storing arts.

Abstract: A buoyant walkway module for a boatlift is formed from a plurality of pneumatically discrete elongated compartments. Each of the compartments has a substantially flat upper horizontal exterior surface and complementary exterior end surfaces. With the end of one such module in abutment with the complementary end of another such module, the upper horizontal surfaces lie in the same plane so as to provide a suitable walkway for the boatman. Preferably, the end surfaces are perpendicular to the horizontal surface so as to provide maximum stability in the walkway.With the modules positioned in end-to-end relationship, they are coupled together by a flat plate disposed across the upper exterior surface of their junction and by a pair of straps extending longitudinally across the lower exterior surface at their junction.

Abstract: A pollution control system to control pollutants in water surrounding a drydock includes a housing extending from each end of the drydock wing walls about the perimeter of the drydock so as to completely encircle an inboard deck of the drydock. The drydock moves between a floating position to a submerged position upon filling drydock buoyancy tanks with water. The housing includes a slot to allow positioning of a removable screen in an opening in the top of the housing. The screens allow the water to flow to and from the deck, as the deck moves between the floating position and the submerged position. A baffle plate is positioned inboard of the housing on the drydock deck to inhibit movement of pollutants between the baffle plate and the housing. Advantageously, a process for reducing pollutants in water surrounding a drydock includes removal of the screen from the housing to protect it from ultraviolet effects or from welding operations during maintenance and repair of a drydocked vessel.

Abstract: A method of dry docking vessels comprising: (i) providing a floating dock (1) comprising: a main balast vessel (3); a load supporting raft (2); the load supporting raft (2) and the main ballast vessel (3) being selectively attachable to each other, the main ballast vessel (3) and the load supporting raft (2) having separately variable buoyancy; (ii) submerging the main ballast vesse (3) and the load supporting raft (2) (iii) positioning a vessel (30) to be dry docked over the load supporting raft (2); (iv) increasing the buoyancy of thee main ballast vessel (3) and the load supporting raft (2) so as to raise the vessel (30) out of the water, the main ballast vessel (3) at least in part stabilising and supporting the vessel (30), the raising of the load supporting raft (2) occuring simultaneously or alternatively at least in part subsequent to raising the main ballast vessel (3); and (v) optionally attaching or securing the vessel (30) to the load supporting raft (2).

Abstract: An inflatable floating boat lift device constructed of a flexible impermeable fabric comprising main air chambers and a network of hoses and valves connected to a blower controlling the inflation and deflation of each main chamber independently. This device provides vertical lifting and stability of the boat while floating at the surface of the water. There are smaller adjustable buoyancy devices inside the main air chambers that provide floatation of the device when the main chambers are deflated. These buoyancy devices also guide the boat onto the lifting device. On some embodiments, a level sensing device activates blowout plugs that rapidly return the boat to it's original floating position.

Abstract: A floating boat lift for raising a boat out of and securing same above a body of water. This boat lift consists of two float supported frames which are held parallel and separated by two parallel lift bars which are held parallel and separated by a pair of support bunks and, or, two crossed spacing members. The lift bars are attached to the float supported frames through the use of a pair of 7-link mechanisms on each end of each of the lift bars. These mechanisms, referred to as cascaded four bars in the following sections, are positioned such that the lift bar are between a pair on each end of the lift bars.

Abstract: A floating dry dock for boats. The dry dock has two side pontoons and a front pontoon. Each pontoon has one or more plastic tubs filled with styrofoam batts and attached to the frame for flotation. The top of the pontoons are provided with 2 inch by 6 inch by 27 inch cedar wood decking. The two side pontoons are attached to each other using at least two metal cradles, that also support a boat lift. The outside posts of the front and rear cradles have wheels mounted thereon to allow the dock to be moved from one location to another, over dry land. By varying the length of the pontoons, (and number of cradles), and the number of plastic floatation tubs, the dock can be built and/or adjusted to be used with personal water craft lifts, (2,500 lb capacity), to large boat lifts, (6,800 lb capacity). The adjustable nature of the dry dock makes it usable with a large number of boat lifts.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a device for protecting the hull of a water vehicle. The device has a frame having an opened end and a closed end. The frame has a right yoke and a left yoke which are preferably mirror images of one another and attach to one another preferably releasibly proximal to closed end. A sheet attaches to holes placed in the left and right yoke which form a bottom to the device with the right and left yokes being the sides. A tongue can also be provided as well as an anchoring device. Additionally, an extender can be provided to make the closed end broader to accommodate a larger craft.

Abstract: A floating seaplane docking facility provides for the completed removal from the water of a seaplane, amphibious aircraft, or surface effect vehicle for ease of boarding and departing, maintenance and inspection, etc. The facility includes a non-buoyant hinged ramp with relatively low friction coefficient tracks or skids for the floats or hull of the aircraft, which tracks may be positioned as required for aircraft of different dimensions. A turntable is included in the ramp, allowing seaplanes to be taxied up onto the ramp and tracks as they are lowered into the water, and turned for maintenance and/or for ease of departing the ramp. The apparatus allows for manual or powered operation by a single person, thereby eliminating need for additional crew. A collapsible, telescoping hangar is also disclosed, which hangar may be installed in combination with the above described floating seaplane dock and is also adaptable for use by land based aircraft.

Abstract: A system for discouraging and inhibiting marine growth onto a boat's underwater hull surface comprising a plurality of sections of foam filled PVC pipe tied together to form a flotation frame, an envelope of flexible, polyethylene, bubble wrap material, of a size and shape to enclose the underwater part of a boat's hull, and affixed to and supported by the flotation frame, a sprinkler hose affixed to the flotation frame for injecting fresh water for washing the boat's underwater hull, and a plurality of drain/check valves mounted in the envelope for eliminating the wash down water in the envelope.

Abstract: A flexible barge containing fresh water is unloaded on a dry dock which is gradually raised from a submerged condition as the fresh water is pumped out of the barge. The deck of the dry dock is formed with a basin adjacent one end thereof and the dry dock is tilted near the end of the unloading operation so that water will drain in the barge toward the basin and collect in the barge in the basin to be pumped out.

Abstract: In a front mounted lift for watercraft, the torque exerted by the lift on the dock is limited by a combination of a first buoyant force, being air trapped within the lift tanks, and a second buoyant force, being flotation devices connected to the rear of the lift. In a preferred embodiment, the primary buoyant force is achieved by the extension of an air supply and exhaust hose into each tank compartment to a level below the uppermost level of the tank chamber. When the water level in each tank compartment covers the hose opening, the air trapped in the tank provides a buoyant force to counter most of the submerged lift weight. The depth of the hose is selected so that the weight of the lift slightly exceeds the primary/buoyant force. This permits the lift to sink but significantly minimizes the torque exerted on the connection of the lift to the dock. The secondary buoyant force preferably consists of a pair of buoyant guides which prevent the rear of the lift from sinking to an undesirable depth.

Abstract: A dry dock system comprising a first floating dock able to receive at least one vessel and being controllably submersible. The second dry dock able to receive a vessel and dimensionally received in the first dock. The second dock has sea valves that, when opened, allow the second dock to fill on submerging and drain on raising and, when closed, allow the second dock to float. The first dock is dimensioned so that it can contain the first dry dock and at least one vessel simultaneously. A method of dry docking is also disclosed. The method comprising submerging the first dry dock. Positioning the second dry dock having sea valves over a chosen area of the first dock. The first dock is raised to contact the second dry dock. The sea valves of the second dry dock are open and the first dry dock is then submerged. The second dry dock submerges with the first and remains in contact with the first dry dock. The first dry dock may then be raised. The second dry dock is raised with it.

Abstract: For fabricating a double-hulled tanker, or a major component of one including at least part of longitudinal midbody, a floating drydock is used which has two independently elevatable-depressible sections. The midbody part is made of individual modules, each of which is fabricated in an upended orientation. The upended modules are successively floated onto a tilting assembly on one drydock section, tilted over and serially added to a growing midbody on the other drydock section. The two drydock sections are pumped out and flooded as the process progresses for shifting the positioning of the growing midbody and modules. Other parts, including a bow and stern are added, to provide a complete vessel.

Abstract: An open ocean-based berthing facility for capturing a ship or similar vessel in order to mitigate wind, wave and current-induced relative motion between the berthing facility and the vessel includes a buoyant platform having an enclosure formed therein for receiving the vessel. When the vessel is positioned within the platform enclosure, it is isolated from the open ocean yet remains afloat since the enclosure is filled with water. When the vessel is positioned within the enclosure and isolated from the open ocean, its movement is coupled to the movement of the platform. Coupling the movement of the vessel to the movement of the platform greatly reduces the relative motion between the vessel and the platform and thereby reduces the risk of both physical damage to the vessel and platform and reduces the risk of injury to operating and maintenance personnel.

Abstract: A lift is placeable in a waterbody for a watercraft having a water intake port and a water drawing device for drawing water through the water intake port. The lift includes a tank. The tank has an interior and an exterior, with the interior including a chamber. The tank also has an upper surface configured for receiving the watercraft, and a water inflow port and a selectively actuable valve for permitting water to flow into the chamber. A water outflow port is provided which is configured to be matable with the water intake port. The water intake port of the watercraft can be mated with the water outflow port of the tank to permit the water drawing device of the watercraft to draw water out of the tank.

Abstract: A boat enclosure system for performing boat maintenance work on the water has a U-shaped floating dock forming a three sided enclosure with an opening at one end to enable boats to sail into and out of the enclosure. A bag of flexible, waterproof material is suspended around part of its periphery from the periphery of the dock to form a chamber below the dock, the remainder of the bag periphery extending across the open end of the dock so that it can be dropped into a lowered position allowing clearance below the water for boats to sail in and out of the chamber, and pulled up above the water level when a boat is in the dock to form a closed chamber below the water surface around the hull of the boat. The chamber is connected to a pump and filter unit for circulating water from the chamber through a filter and returning filtered water back to the chamber during maintenance work.

Abstract: A clamped-down bridge comprises a superstructure supported by pontoons, each end of the bridge being fixedly secured to the bottom by means of anchors and anchor cables and clamped down to the expected maximum load by means of sinkers and sink cables. The anchor cables and the sink cables are wound in pairs onto common shafts in such manner that winding up of the sink cables causes unwinding of the anchor cables, and vice versa. The shafts are, by a motion transfer arrangement, connected with each other and with an automatic locking device which allows vertical adjustment of the bridge due to changes in the water level, but which locks against vertical adjustment due to wave action or the bridge being loaded.

Abstract: A boatlift including two floatation chambers operably engaged to a boat hull engaging means by a lifting means connected therebetween. The lifting means is adapted to raise and lower the boat hull engaging means with respect to the floatation chambers, which, in turn, is adapted to buoyantly support both the boat hull engaging means and the lifting means. The boat lift may be either connectable to a stationary object such as a dock, pier or seawall, or may be adapted to be trailerable by land vehicle.

Abstract: This invention comprises an improved system for raising and lowering an object, most usually a craft, from and into the water. This improved system includes a plurality of pistons, usually disposed at each corner of a rectangular frame, actuated by a remotely disposed valve system which is connected to a common water hose. The pistons are comprised of a pair of cylinders one portion of which is secured to a slip or float and the other portion of which is secured to the craft-supporting rectangular frame. When water is introduced into the system, the craft is raised from the water and when the fluid is evacuated from the system, the craft is lowered.

Abstract: An impact pad, having a first outer layer of ultra-high molecular weight material, an intermediate layer of elastomeric material and a third base layer of rigid material, is mounted on a support base of the hull of a ship for absorbing impact forces. The base layer has a channel member secured thereto to facilitate the attachment to the support base of the hull of a ship and provide rigidity to the pad. Fasteners extending through the channel member and the base layer are used to fasten such pad to the support base. A plurality of bores in the base layer and elastomeric intermediate layer facilitates the impact loading and impact forces on the outer layer.

Abstract: A boat lift in which a hydraulic pump and cylinder with a piston is mounted on a manual boat lift so that the piston rod carries a pulley which engages the lifting cable so that when the piston moves in the cylinder the boat will move up or down.

Abstract: A floating dock has a trestle body including arcuate frame members for cradling a boat, float members which slide relative to the frame members and devices for moving the float members to and fro between positions alongside the trestle body so that the float members extend laterally beyond the width of the trestle body and below the trestle so that the trestle body extends laterally beyond the float members.

Abstract: The present invention is a device for attachment to the leg of a boat lift, wherein the device has a housing with a lower surface of substantial area and an air entrapment volume therein; the air entrapment volume is coupled via a connectable air step to an air hose which connects to an air valve. A source of pressurized air is coupled to the air valve.

Abstract: A lift for water vehicles comprising a pair of vertical pipes or tracks attached adjacent their upper ends to one side only of a dock structure which is positioned alongside a body of water, a tank assembly having a roller assembly thereon for engaging the sides of the pipes for rolling upwardly and downwardly thereon, the tank assembly having a tank mounted thereon and an upper opening for introducing air into the tank to displace water therefrom through a lower opening at the bottom of the tank so as to cause the tank to rise, the tank assembly having a pair of spaced padded blocks for supporting a water vehicle thereon, the roller assembly having roller thereon adapted to rise along the inboard sides of the pipes when the tank assembly moves vertically in response the introduction of air to and removal of air from the tank, whereby, when a water vehicle is supported on the padded blocks and the tank assembly is in its lowermost position, air can be introduced into the tank while water is forced outwardly f