Boat Lift Stabilization and Locking Apparatus

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/210,390 filed Jun. 15, 2023, entitled: BOAT LIFTING AND LOCKING APPARATUS, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference hereto.

The invention generally relates to piling-mounted boat lifts and, more particularly, relates to a locking apparatus that efficiently secures a lift platform and its contents in the event of partial failure of the lift components during a heavy storm or a tidal surge.

A piling-mounted boat lift is a device mostly used for boat storage. It is raised to a storage position to keep the boat supported on it out of the water when not in use. When the boat is to be launched, the boat lift lowers the boat into the water. Piling-mounted boat lifts are commonly used on private docks at residential homes that have water access and marinas that rent dock space. A typical piling-mounted boat lift has a lifting platform or cradle, which supports the boat, and a system of cables, for example, four corner-mounted, fixed, winch-driven cables, which raise and lower the platform. The boat lifts are operated by electric motors mounted in the winches and controlled manually through a control panel mounted dockside.

Conventional piling-mounted boat lifts kinetically form a pendulum that is subject to a swaying movement and, consequently, is vulnerable to the effects of high winds and tidal surges, thus making the boat lifts susceptible to damage or failure during a severe weather event.

There accordingly exists a need in the art for a boat lift securing apparatus that not only prevents boat lift swaying due to winds but also supports and strengthens the entire structure during harsh weather conditions.

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure and is not a comprehensive disclosure of the full scope of all its features.

The present invention provides a piling-mounted boat lift securing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as the apparatus) that safely and securely engages a lift platform and its contents to a load such as a boat in all weather conditions. The apparatus, as disclosed, has a locking and strengthening mechanism, which prevents the boat from being ejected from its moorings during a tidal surge. The apparatus also secures and locks cable winch boat lifts during windy and harsh weather.

In an embodiment, the apparatus includes a piling mounting bracket assembly, a turnbuckle, a lift beam bracket assembly, and a positioning indicator assembly. The piling mounting bracket assembly comprises a bracket plate and a clevis, wherein the piling mounting bracket assembly is configured to attach to a piling. The turnbuckle comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the turnbuckle is pivoted to the clevis of the piling mounting bracket assembly, and wherein the second end of the turnbuckle is configured to attach to the clevis formed by the lift beam bracket assembly, mounted with the lowering/raising platform. The positioning indicator assembly comprises a lift indicator mounted into the clevis of the piling mounting bracket assembly, and an activator bracket mounted on the first end of the turnbuckle, wherein when the turnbuckle is deployed by manually rotating in a downward direction along the pivot point, the activator bracket engages with the lift indicator and forces the lift indicator to raise from a normal resting position against a top surface of the clevis of the piling mounting bracket assembly, thereby creating a visual gap indicating a safe and correct height of the lowering/raising platform to an operator for attachment of the turnbuckle with a lowering/raising platform.

In an embodiment, the bracket plate comprises a plurality of through holes, adapted to receive therein a plurality of fasteners for securing the piling mounting bracket assembly to the piling.

In an embodiment, the turnbuckle is pivoted to the clevis of the piling mounting bracket assembly through a permanent locked screw, washers, and lock nut, which passes through a pivot hole in the first end of the turnbuckle.

In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises a lift beam bracket assembly mounted on the lowering/raising platform, wherein the lift beam bracket assembly comprises a clevis attachment point configured to receive therein the second end of the turnbuckle.

In an embodiment, a locking pin secures the clevis attachment point and the second end of the turnbuckle, wherein the locking pin comprises a through-hole perpendicular to its shaft diameter adapted to accept at least one of a padlock and a like locking device.

In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises a locking snap attached onto the piling at a distance from the piling mounting bracket assembly for detachably snap-fitting the turnbuckle.

In another embodiment, the apparatus comprises a strap attachment bracket assembly and a securing strap for connecting together the contents of the lift (the boat) and lowering/raising platform.

In another embodiment, the apparatus comprises a plurality of padlocks or pin locks for securing the apparatus to the piling to prevent theft.

In another embodiment, the apparatus comprises a safety link that secures the lowering/raising platform to the piling in the event of partial failure of the lift components.

In another embodiment, the apparatus is configured to fit a multitude of sizes and designs of standard commercially available piling-mounted boat lifts.

In another embodiment, the apparatus includes an adjustment mechanism for eliminating swaying movement inherent in piling-mounted boat lifts.

In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a locking mechanism associated with said adjustment mechanism so that upon being adjusted, said apparatus can be locked to remain in a rigid configuration.

In another embodiment, the turnbuckles are designed to handle increased non-axial loads.

In another embodiment, the apparatus is hand-deployed with no extra components or tools.

In another embodiment, the apparatus is permanently mounted for rapid deployment.

In another embodiment, the apparatus is operative to lock the piling-mounted boat lift for security and theft prevention.

In another embodiment, a second apparatus, the Outer Piling Lifting System (“OPLS”), is operative to address boat lifts that have limited access to deploy the Standard four-point apparatus. (See paragraphs and for a description of the Standard System configuration and the OPLS configuration).

In an embodiment, the OPLS apparatus comprises a lift beam bracket assembly mounted on the lowering/raising platform, wherein the lift beam bracket assembly comprises a locking post that automatically couples with a locking receiver mounted on the piling-mounted bracket assembly to form an attachment point that can be locked using a turnbuckle from the accessible side of the lift.

The apparatus of the present invention has a uni-structural assembly, which is more rigid and changes the inherent frequency of the assembly, thereby eliminating any angular movement, such as pendulum motion.

Advantageously, the apparatus, as disclosed, can support the lift platform in case of failure of supporting cables. Further, the turnbuckle of the apparatus is designed to facilitate the handling of the increased effects of lateral or non-axial loads. Moreover, the bracket assembly, as disclosed, enables the apparatus to support the weight of the lift platform in an effective manner.

The apparatus, as disclosed herein, can be used as a security device to prevent theft, whereby the turnbuckle and its attachment points may be locked by means of padlocks or pin locks if desired by the operator.

Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and the following description. Numerous variations, changes and substitutions may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention, as defined by the subjoined claims. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the present disclosure herein may be employed and that the description should be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

At the outset, for ease of reference, certain terms used in this application and their meanings as used in this context are set forth. To the extent a term used herein is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in at least one printed publication or issued patent. Further, the present techniques are not limited by the usage of the terms shown below, as all equivalents, synonyms, new developments, and terms or techniques that serve the same or a similar purpose are considered to be within the scope of the present claims.

The articles “a” and “an” as used herein mean one or more when applied to any feature in embodiments of the present invention described in the specification and claims. The use of “a” and “an” does not limit the meaning to a single feature unless such a limit is specifically stated. The article “the” preceding singular or plural nouns or noun phrases denotes a particular specified feature or particular specified features and may have a singular or plural connotation depending upon the context in which it is used. The adjective “any” means one, some, or all indiscriminately of whatever quantity.

STANDARD SYSTEM—designed for boat lifts that have access to both sides of the boat and boat lift assembly, as shown in. This system can be deployed from both sides of the lift assembly, having access to all four pilings from “dockside”and “far dockside”.

OPLS—Outer Piling Locking System (“OPLS”) is designed for boat lifts that only have access to one side of the boat and the boat lift assembly, as shown in. This system can be deployed from the one side that has a boat lift access and still connects and locks all four pilings to the lift assembly. Hereafter, in the detailed description of this system, the term “dockside”will be used to describe the side of the boat that has access to the lift, and the term “outer side”will be used to describe the opposite side or the side with no access to the boat or lift assembly.

According to various embodiments of the present invention, a piling-mounted boat lift locking apparatus is described hereafter. With reference to, there is shown a sectional perspective view of the piling-mounted boat lift locking apparatus, hereinafter referred to as the “apparatus.” Generally stated on the dockside, the apparatus comprises a piling mounting bracket assemblyconfigured to be attached to a piling. The piling mounting bracket assembly, in an embodiment, comprises a bracket plateand a clevispermanently fixed together. The bracket platecomprises a plurality of through holes adapted to receive therein a plurality of fasteners. As shown in the figure, the piling mounting bracket assemblyis securely attached to the pilingusing fasteners.

With reference to, the OPLS is shown in the primed position, on the outer side, the piling mount receiver bracket assembly. In an embodiment, the OPLS comprises a bracket plateand a locking post receiver platepermanently fixed together. The bracket platecomprises a plurality of through holes adapted to receive therein a plurality of fasteners. As shown in the Figure, the piling mount receiver bracket assemblyis securely attached to the pilingusing fasteners.

The apparatus further comprises, on the dockside, a lift beam bracket assemblymounted on a beam of the lowering/raising platform. The lift beam bracket assemblycomprises a head plate, a top plate, and two base platesA andB, attached together to form the lift beam bracket assembly. The top plateand two base platesA andB clamp onto the beam of the lowering/raising platformusing fastenersand. The head plateis fastened over the top plateusing fastenersand, forming a clevis attachment point.

The apparatus further comprises, on the outer side, a lift beam locking post mount assembly, mounted on a beam of the lowering/raising platform. The lift beam locking post mount assemblycomprises two sub-assemblies, the longitudinal adjustment assemblyand the latitudinal adjustment assembly. A main lift slide armand two base platesA andB are attached together to form the longitudinal adjustment assembly. the main lift slide arm, and the two base platesA andB clamp onto the beam of the lowering/lifting platformusing fasteners. The longitudinal adjustment assemblyprovides a latitudinal slide surfacefor the attachment of the latitudinal adjustment assembly.

Further, on the dockside, the apparatus includes a turnbucklefor coupling the pilingsand lowering/raising platform, forming one-half of a unistructural structural assembly. The turnbucklecomprises a first-endand a second-end. The first endof the turnbuckleis pivoted to the clevisof the piling mounting bracket assemblyusing a permanent locked screw. The second endof the turnbuckleis configured to attach with a lowering/raising platformof the apparatus, wherein the clevis attachment pointis configured to receive therein the second endof the turnbuckle. Hence, the piling mounting bracket assemblymounted on the pilingsexecutes a primary function of linking the pilingto the first endof the turnbuckle.

Further, on the outer side, the apparatus includes a lift beam locking post mount assembly, having a locking post, with a post interlocking engagement surface, that will interlock with the receiver interlocking engagement surfaceof the piling mount receiver bracket assembly, for coupling the pilingand the lowering/lifting platform, forming the second half of the unistructural assembly. The lift beam locking post mount assemblyis comprised of two sub-assemblies, the longitudinal adjustment assemblyand the latitudinal adjustment assembly. The longitudinal adjustment assemblyis comprised of a main lift slide arm, two base platesA andB that clamp onto a flange surface of the lowering/lifting platformusing fasteners; this allows the lift beam locking post mount assembly, to be adjusted to the correct longitudinal position during installation. The latitudinal adjustment assembly, comprised of a locking post, a locking post slide plate, and two base platesA andB that clamp to the latitudinal slide surfaceof the longitudinal adjustment assembly, using fasteners, allowing the latitudinal adjustment assembly, to be correctly latitudinally adjusted during installation, aligning the positioning of the post interlocking engagement surfaceof the postdirectly under the receiver interlocking engagement surfaceof the piling mount receiver bracket assembly.

As shown in the figure, on dockside, a locking pinsecures the second endof the turnbuckleinside the clevis attachment point. The locking pincomprises a holeperpendicular to its shaft diameter adapted to accept at least one of a padlock and a like locking device to prevent theft of the boat during long-term storage. The locking pinfurther includes a locking clip, which clasps around the locking pin.

The apparatus further comprises, on the dockside, a positioning indicator assemblycomprising a lift indicatormounted into the clevisof the piling mounting bracket assembly. An activator bracket(shown in) is mounted on the first endof the turnbuckle. The turnbuckleis deployed by manually rotating in a downward direction along the pivot point. The attachment operation is explained in further detail in the description ofto). Upon deployment of turnbuckle, the activator bracketengages with the lift indicatorand forces the lift indicatorto raise from a normal resting position against a top surface of the clevisof the piling mounting bracket assembly. This creates a visual gap indicating a safe and correct height of the lowering/raising platformto an operator for attachment of the second endof the turnbucklewith the lowering/raising platform.

As shown in theand, disposed on the outer sideat the end of the post interlocking engagement surfaceof the locking postis a post locking knob, with a post taper locking surface. The receiver interlocking engagement surfaceof the locking post receiver platehas a receiver taper locking surface. When these two tapered engagement surfaces,, and, are engaged at the target positionusing the adjustment in the turnbuckleon the dockside, they will link the piling mount receiver bracket assemblywith the lift beam locking post mount assembly, coupling the pilingand the lowering/lifting platform. (This operation will be explained in further detail in the description ofto),

In an embodiment, the apparatus also comprises a strap attachment bracket assemblyand a securing strap(not shown in the figure, but shown inasand) for connecting together the lowering/raising platform,,, and the contents of the lift. (the boat) and lowering/raising platform.

illustrates an exploded view of the apparatus, in accordance with the present invention. All the components disclosed inare shown here in greater detail. As can be seen in the figure, the first endof the turnbuckleincludes a pivot hole, which pivots the turnbuckleto the clevisof the piling mounting bracket assemblyusing a permanent locked screw. Washersare inserted into the permanent locked screwon either side of the clevis, and the permanent locked screwis inserted into the clevisconnecting the first endof the turnbuckle. A lock nutis fastened on the permanent locked screw. Adding washersprevents the permanent locked screwfrom loosening and distributes the load from a head of the permanent locked screwand the lock nutover a larger area.

illustrates an exploded view of the apparatus in the target position, in accordance with the present invention. All the components disclosed inare shown here in greater detail. As can be seen in the Figure, the post interlocking engagement surfaceis fully engaged with the receiver interlocking engagement surface, ready to lock the lift beam locking post mount assemblyinto the piling mount receiver bracket assemblyto complete the linking of the lowering/raising platformthe piling.

Further, as shown in, one or more fastenersmay be used for clamping the top plateand the base plateA uses washersA on the outer surfaces of the top plateand the base plateA before fastening the lock nutB. Similarly, fastenersmay be used for clamping the head plateover the top plate, and the base plateB, using washersA on the outer surfaces of the head plateand the top plateB before fastening the lock nutB respectively. Fastenermay be used to clamp head plateover the top plate, using a washerA on the outer surface of the head plate, threading into the top platemating threaded holes.

As shown in, one or more fastenersmay be used for clamping the main lift slide arm. The base plateA uses washersA on the outer surfaces of the main lift slide armand the base plateA before fastening the lock nutB. Similarly, fastenersmay be used for clamping the locking postto the locking post slide plate, using washersA on the outer surface of the locking post, and threading fastenerinto threaded locking post slide plate, mating threaded holes.

As shown here, the clevis attachment pointis configured to receive therein the second endof the turnbuckle, such that a holeof the second endof the turnbuckleis concentric to a holeof the clevis attachment point. The locking pinpasses through the second endof the turnbuckleand the clevis attachment pointthrough holesand, and securely couples the two mechanisms together. The locking clip, which clasps around locking pin, is shown in a disengaged position in. After securing the turnbucklewith the lift beam bracket assembly, locking clipgets engaged to avoid accidental removal of the locking pin.

illustrates a planer view of the apparatus with the turnbucklein an upright stored position, in accordance with the present invention. As shown, a locking snapis attached to the pilingat a distance away from the piling mounting bracket assembly. The locking snapis configured for detachably snap fitting the turnbucklewhen it is not in use, i.e., the turnbuckleis kept in the upright stored position. In said position, an adjustment handleof the turnbucklein a rest position lying longitudinal to the turnbuckleis snapped into the locking snap. Further, the lift indicatorof the positioning indicator assemblyis mounted into the clevisof the piling mounting bracket assembly, and the activator bracketis mounted on the first endof the turnbuckle. In operation, the positioning indicator assemblycreates an indication for a safe and correct height of the lowering/raising platformto the operator for attachment of the turnbucklewith the lowering/raising platform.