Boat Carrying Type Patents (Class 280/414.1)
  • Patent number: 6488307
    Abstract: A trailer tongue that can be rolled to an extended and retracted position. The present trailer tongue comprises a housing having and interior portion and an exterior portion. At least one track is located along the interior portion of the housing. In a particularly preferred embodiment, two tracks are welded to on the interior portion of the housing. The trailer tongue further includes a rollaway mechanism that preferably includes at least one wheel for rolling along the track. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the rollaway mechanism includes two wheels for rolling along the tracks welded to the interior portion of the housing. The wheels are positioned to cooperate with the tracks so that the slide mechanism rolls easily along the tracks from an extended position to a retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: ASC, Inc.
    Inventor: George S. Koon
  • Patent number: 6481737
    Abstract: A pontoon trailer travel kit minimizes transverse spaces between a pontoon boat trailer and the pontoons of a pontoon boat. The kit comprises a bunk bracket that is mountable to and adjustable along a lift arm of the trailer. A bunk assembly is fastened to and is adjustable on the bunk bracket in directions perpendicular to the directions of adjustment of the bunk bracket. A kit is installed on a lift arm on each side of the trailer. The kits are pre-set such that the bunk of each bunk assembly is in close proximity to a pontoon. The boat is substantially prevented from sliding laterally on the trailer. In a modified embodiment, only the bunk assembly is used, and it is clamped directly to the trailer lift arm. That embodiment is used with boats in which the pontoons are exceptionally closely spaced to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Karavan Trailers, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas A. Dray
  • Publication number: 20020134295
    Abstract: A new and improved amphibious unit comprising a float, a trailer frame, and a camper, all interconnected with one another. The float has a top and a bottom, and the trailer frame may be secured to the bottom of the float or it may be an integral part of the float. The trailer frame generally has a tongue and hitch for connecting the unit to a vehicle for transportation over land. The camper is secured to the top of the float, the camper comprising a dwelling operable for camping purposes, including accommodations as sparse or as lavish as appropriate for the overall design of the amphibious unit. The camper may be a conventional pop-up style camper, or it may be a multi-walled structure with a roof and windows for enclosing the living space of the interior of the camper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventor: Paul A. Chimato
  • Patent number: 6447038
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of trailers and, more particularly, the present invention relates to a boat trailer which incorporates a cover for the trailer to enclose a stored boat upon the trailer. The cover is selectively raised by a winch mechanism to facilitate the loading and off loading of the boat from the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Inventors: Grady L. Davis, Diane J. Davis
  • Publication number: 20020089146
    Abstract: A pontoon trailer travel kit minimizes transverse spaces between a pontoon boat trailer and the pontoons of a pontoon boat. The kit comprises a bunk bracket that is mountable to and adjustable along a lift arm of the trailer. A bunk assembly is fastened to and is adjustable on the bunk bracket in directions perpendicular to the directions of adjustment of the bunk bracket. A kit is installed on a lift arm on each side of the trailer. The kits are pre-set such that the bunk of each bunk assembly is in close proximity to a pontoon. The boat is substantially prevented from sliding laterally on the trailer. In a modified embodiment, only the bunk assembly is used, and it is clamped directly to the trailer lift arm. That embodiment is used with boats in which the pontoons are exceptionally closely spaced to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventor: Douglas A. Dray
  • Publication number: 20020074772
    Abstract: The present invention is a trailer tongue that can be rolled to an extended and retracted position. The present trailer tongue comprises a housing having and interior portion and an exterior portion. At least one track is located along the interior portion of the housing. In a particularly preferred embodiment, two tracks are welded to on the interior portion of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Applicant: ASC, Inc.
    Inventor: George S. Koon
  • Publication number: 20020070528
    Abstract: A tow trailer capable of carrying a vehicle and subsequent recreational vehicles. The trailer is made from common angle, channel, pipe and tube materials found in most hardware stores. The trailer is seated on a wheeled, fendered chassis, with rigid and flexible supports for easy on/off load and safety. The trailer allows the user the option of carrying a vehicle up to pick-up truck size on the lower level and a trailer with recreational vehicles on the top level. The top level lowers and raises to allow on/off load. The trailer has an inclusive braking and winching system to allow one person operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventor: Louis Lee Wilson
  • Patent number: 6402445
    Abstract: The invention includes an elongated frame member connectable to the eyebolt at the bow of a boat. A pair of brackets, are respectively connected to upper and lower ends of the frame member. One of the brackets supports a transversely extending rod receiving socket, and the other bracket supports a transversely oriented rod journal bearing, the socket and the journal bearing having the same longitudinal axis. An elongated rod member is slidably positioned in the journal bearing and has at the lower end thereof a locking element which is adapted to selectively co-act with either the journal bearing or the socket. A rod receiver member is connectable to the forward end of a trailer and includes a pair of spaced apart, longitudinally extending brackets defining therebetween a rod receiving pocket and having end portions flared in opposite senses to as to define a relatively wide rod receiving yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Inventor: Mark T. Smiley
  • Publication number: 20020067023
    Abstract: An inflated raft trailer adapted for transporting an inflated raft to and from a river, a lake and other water recreation areas. The trailer is designed to be pulled behind a vehicle and to quickly discharge the raft from the top of the trailer into the water and quickly return the raft to the top of the trailer at the completion of a trip. The inflated raft trailer includes a trailer bed mounted on a wheeled axle. The trailer bed includes front and rear portions, first side portion and second side portions and a center portion. A vertical front frame is mounted along a length of the front portion. A movable tail gate frame, with an elongated roller mounted thereon, is hinged along a length of the rear portion of the trailer bed. The tail gate frame can be raised from a lowered position to a raised vertical position. A vertical first side frame is mounted along a length of the first side portion and a vertical second side frame is mounted along a length of the second side portion of the trailer bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventors: Walter F. Bergman, Darrell J. McKay
  • Patent number: 6367866
    Abstract: A partially submergible, covered trailer for launching and landing watercraft from the sides or the rear of the covered trailer. The covered trailer includes a lower shell and an upper shell formed to mate with one another. The lower and upper shells define an interior for receiving and retaining personal watercraft. The upper shell is permitted to move between an elevated position and a lowered position relative to the lower shell. While the upper shell is in the elevated position, access is provided to the interior of the covered trailer from the rear and sides of the covered trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Inventor: Charles Edward Moore
  • Patent number: 6361061
    Abstract: A boat protection system for protecting the body of a boat during transporting upon a conventional boat trailer. The boat protection system includes a front guard, a bottom guard attachable to the front guard, a first side guard attachable to the front guard, and a second side guard attachable to the front side guard. The front guard is comprised of a front portion, a front opening within the front portion for receiving a winch, and a pair of side portions. The front guard is attached to the front portion of the frame with conventional fasteners. The bottom guard is attached to a lower lip of the front guard. The front guard, bottom guard, and side guards protect the lower body of the boat carried upon the trailer from debris elevated by a motor vehicle pulling the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Inventor: Rich A. Lea
  • Patent number: 6361060
    Abstract: The invention relates to a personal watercraft carrier for transporting personal watercraft such as jet skis, wave runners and the like, into and out of the water. The personal watercraft carrier has a conventional carrier frame, which includes rail supports for the watercraft, and a tongue having a handle for pushing or pulling the carrier, and is supported by one or more axles, which rotatably mount large-surface wheels. The wheels support the weight of the watercraft and carrier while traveling over soft terrain e.g. sand. The wheels are constructed so that the carrier as a whole has neutral or negative-buoyancy. As a result of the neutral or negative-buoyancy of the carrier, the carrier can drop away as the depth of the water increases, thus enabling the watercraft to be easily removed from the carrier. Similarly, the carrier can be positioned below the surface of the water for retrieval of the watercraft. The watercraft can then be easily floated into position over the carrier for retrieval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Inventor: Bruce L. Kamminga
  • Patent number: 6341793
    Abstract: A launch vehicle for boats or other small watercraft which includes a partially submersible frame movably mounted on wheels. The wheels are provided with all-terrain type tires which enable the frame to move over rocks and uneven ground or lake beds, without becoming bogged down in muck or lake bed sediments. The frame supports a boat bunk configured to engagingly support the bottom sides of a boat hull thereon during its transportation and storage, as well as a walkway adapted to assume a generally horizontal orientation so as to enable a user to stand or rest thereon. The walkway has a lateral width of at least one foot, and extends substantially the longitudinal length of the boat launch vehicle. When horizontal, the walkway is positioned vertically spaced above the bunk at a location selected to locate above the lake surface of the lake when the bunk is sufficiently submerged to enable the boat to be floated free from or positioned over the bunk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Inventor: Carl Braun
  • Publication number: 20010033071
    Abstract: An adjustable snowmobile caddy consisting of a telescoping frame set atop four wheels. The frame comprises a plurality of square steel tubing cross bars which are parallel to each other, and two square steel tubing horizontally opposed support members which are parallel to one another, wherein the cross bars are attached to the two horizontal support members like rungs on a ladder. The adjustable snowmobile caddy is designed to permit a single individual to drive and store a snowmobile on the caddy without assistance. The snowmobile caddy can also be easily and conveniently moved around a garage or other area with a flat surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventor: Derek W. Krumwiede
  • Patent number: 6302425
    Abstract: A trailer with an extension member pivotally mounts to a hinge attached to the tongue or frame of the trailer. Front and rear retainers bolt and clamp onto the tongue and frame. The extension member is retained by the forward retainer and extends substantially parallel to the trailer tongue and beyond the trailer tongue. The forward end of the extension member includes a receiver element for mounting to the hitch of a towing vehicle and for extending the trailer further behind the towing vehicle. The extension member pivotally swings rearward to the storage position where it is retained for travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Springer Family Patents Limited Partnership
    Inventor: William O. Springer
  • Publication number: 20010024026
    Abstract: A boat trailer with an adjustable winch station selectively moveable along the longitudinal axis of the boat trailer and adjustable boat hull support bunks selectively moveable along the lateral axis of the boat trailer to accommodate boats of varying height, length and width, the adjustable winch station is mounted on a quick-release adjustable winch station positioning assembly disposed on a longitudinal member of the boat trailer frame and the adjustable boat hull support bunks are mounted on quick-release adjustable bunk positioning assemblies disposed on lateral members of the boat trailer frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 1999
    Publication date: September 27, 2001
    Inventor: GEORGE KNUTSSON
  • Publication number: 20010015295
    Abstract: A launch vehicle for boats or other small watercraft which includes a partially submersible frame movably mounted on wheels. The wheels are provided with all-terrain type tires which enable the frame to move over rocks and uneven ground or lake beds, without becoming bogged down in muck or lake bed sediments. The frame supports a boat bunk configured to engagingly support the bottom sides of a boat hull thereon during its transportation and storage, as well as a walkway adapted to assume a generally horizontal orientation so as to enable a user to stand or rest thereon. The walkway has a lateral width of at least one foot, and extends substantially the longitudinal length of the boat launch vehicle. When horizontal, the walkway is positioned vertically spaced above the bunk at a location selected to locate above the lake surface of the lake when the bunk is sufficiently submerged to enable the boat to be floated free from or positioned over the bunk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Inventor: Carl Braun
  • Patent number: 6257167
    Abstract: A combination boat trailer and lift includes an elongated base frame with forward and rear ends, a hitch assembly and an axle and wheel assembly to facilitate towing behind an automobile over land. An elongated, collapsible upper frame having front and back ends is cooperatively coupled to the base frame through a plurality of spaced apart elongated coupling arms, each arm of which is pivotally attached at one end to the base frame and at its other end to the upper frame. The upper frame is longitudinally and vertically displaceable with respect to the base frame in a pivotal mode on the coupling arms between an extreme lowered position and an extreme raised position such that the rearwardmost displacement of the upper frame corresponds to the extreme lowered position and forward movement of the upper frame from its extreme lowered position moves the upper frame toward its extreme raised position. A winch and cable system draws the upper frame at least toward its extreme raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Inventor: A. Thomas Joaquim
  • Patent number: 6250662
    Abstract: A boat trailer formed of aluminum sections includes aluminum bunks formed of simple T shaped components bracketed to the trailer support assembly in an adjustable fashion. The bunks can be one piece or two piece bunks. In the case of two-piece bunks, standard components can be used for both the base part and the cross part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Float-On Corporation
    Inventor: L. Ralph Poppell
  • Patent number: 6250872
    Abstract: A light-duty trailer hitchable to a passenger car, van or the like, includes a separate chassis element equipped with wheels, and an interchangeable platform mountable thereon. The chassis element is provided with means for hauling the platform on top of the chassis element. The chassis element has its rear section provided with a guide roller close to an axial line extending between the wheels, and the underside of the platform is provided with a guide bar extending lengthwise of the platform and intended for cooperation with the guide roller as the platform is being hauled on top of the chassis element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Mika Marko Rahijärvi
    Inventor: Antti Rahijärvi
  • Patent number: 6247719
    Abstract: A trailer is provided for accommodating various sized watercraft thereon. The trailer includes a frame structure extending along the longitudinal axis and a wheel and axle assembly for supporting the frame structure above a supporting surface. First and second bunk elements are supported by the frame structure. The first bunk element is movable along an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis to vary the distance between the bunk elements and is also movable along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame structure between a forward position and a rearward position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Triton Corporation
    Inventors: Gary L. Youmans, Tony P. Priesgen
  • Patent number: 6244603
    Abstract: A hand truck for transporting a craft such as a jet ski, snowmobile, or sailboat has a frame that is open at one lengthwise end, having lengthwise extending sides for placement alongside a craft that is to be transported. Wheels on the sides of the frame proximate the open end of the frame provide for the frame to be rolled on an underlying surface and for the frame to pivot relative to the wheels. Lift bars extend from the sides of the frame proximate the open end of the frame, including lifters for engaging a craft, to support the craft on the frame. A handle is at a lengthwise end of the frame opposite the open end of the frame. The lift bars and lifters are constructed and arranged to provide a mechanical advantage for lifting the craft when the handle is forced in a generally downward direction to pivot the frame about the wheels. Various embodiments of lifters are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Inventor: James W. Rizzardi
  • Patent number: 6217053
    Abstract: An apparatus which is transformable from a boat lift to a trailer. The apparatus is movable on skids in a boat lift mode and on wheels in a trailer mode. A pair of posts on a main frame supports a pantographic linkwork to which is affixed a watercraft lifting cradle. A winch is connected to the main frame and to the linkwork for raising and lowering the cradle. A leveling mechanism is used for adjusting the cradle on a level when the apparatus is installed on a sloping shore. An upper deck framework is provided above the front end of the main frame. The cradle is usable for raising and moving a first recreational vehicle over the upper deck framework and for raising a second recreational vehicle above the rear end of the main frame. A third recreational vehicle is transportable on the main frame under the first and second recreational vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Inventors: Carl Forsythe, Gerald M. Belliveau
  • Patent number: 6203264
    Abstract: A post-and-beam mechanism easily connectable to a standard car dolly carries on its beams a standard boat trailer, loaded with boat and outboard motor, above the front end of a towed vehicle on the dolly, with the rear, heavy end of the trailer and boat located forward most. A motor home may tow, to the destination site, the dolly thus loaded with towed vehicle, boat trailer, boat and motor. The post-and-beam mechanism is pivotably swingable from a low position for loading the loaded boat trailer thereon; to a high position for carrying the loaded boat trailer. The towing is safely done, with advantageous forward weight distribution of the carried trailer, boat and motor, and with short combined overall length of towing vehicle and towed vehicle, for easy driving and parking. When the destination site is reached, the towed vehicle is unloaded from the car dolly, and the mechanism may be lowered from the high position to the low position for unloading the boat trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Inventor: Larry G. Combs, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6189909
    Abstract: A watercraft trailer support skid protection assembly includes a protective sleeve sized and shaped to fit the contoured free end of an existing watercraft support skid. The assembly includes a securing device to hold the sleeve in place on the proximal end of the support skid. The protective sleeve has a low coefficient of friction and cooperates with the main support portion of the support skid. The assembly ensures that a watercraft will be securely held in place during transit, while promoting ease of loading and unloading, when appropriate. In an alternate embodiment of the assembly, the protective sleeve is used as a capping member to protect the contact faces of support bunks associated with a watercraft lifting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventor: Michael Danchuk