Patent classifications
B60P3/1075
Boat trailer depth indicator module
A boat trailer depth indicator module and method of installation thereof. The boat trailer depth indicator allows a driver towing a boat trailer to position the boat trailer at an appropriate depth in the water on a boat ramp to launch or recover a boat without the need for an assistant. When the boat trailer is located at an appropriate depth in the water, the boat trailer depth indicator provides a signal to the driver. The signal communicates to the driver and/or the helmsman of the boat, for example, that the boat trailer is sufficiently submerged and ready for launch or recovery of the boat. The boat trailer depth indicator module is independent of vehicle or trailer power and can be installed and adjusted quickly without the use of tools.
BOAT LOADING GUIDE
A boat loading guide system for use on a boat trailer and particularly for pontoon boats and the like. The boat loading guide is highly visible during loading, comprising two guide posts visible throughout the loading process. When not in use, or when towing the trailer, the guide posts are stowed such that the trailer and guide posts do not exceed a pre-determined width, and thus the trailer will be able to be operated legally on public roadways. The guide posts can be of sufficient length so that even when the rear portion of the trailer is well submerged, the guide posts will extend above the surface of the water and be visible to the operator.
Systems and methods of providing visual guidance to assist in positioning a boat and trailer in low light conditions
Embodiments described herein include a visual guidance system for a boat trailer that can include a housing defining a cavity, the housing having a plurality of openings such that fluid can pass into the cavity, a first track and a second track, where the first track and the second track have a substantially vertical orientation, and a laser head mounted on the first track and the second track that can include a housing, a laser module positioned within the housing that is configured to provide a first illumination beam, and a float.
CAMERA BASED BOAT LOADING ASSISTANT
A navigational system and method for guiding a boat onto a trailer, which comprises at least one marker mounted on the trailer; a camera located on the boat to assist the system with determining a longitudinal axis of the boat, and generating images of at least a front area of the boat and the at least one marker; an image processing unit for 1) receiving and processing the images to determine the at least one marker, 2) estimating the longitudinal axis of the trailer, 3) generating a desired boat trajectory for aligning the longitudinal axis of the boat with the longitudinal axis of the trailer; and 4) periodically generating guidance output commands to the user to assist the user with following the desired boat trajectory and facilitate loading of the boat on the trailer; and an image display for sequentially displaying the generated images of the camera to a user.
Boat trailer water level detection system
Disclosed is a system for monitoring the water level proximate to a vehicle. The system comprises a control unit and at least one sensor in communication with the control unit. The at least one sensor is configured such that the control unit can determine a pitch of a trailer coupled to the vehicle and the height of a surface of water proximate to the trailer. The system includes a display screen displaying a representation of the trailer including the pitch of the trailer, and a representation of the surface of water proximate to the trailer.
BOAT TRAILER DEPTH INDICATOR MODULE
A boat trailer depth indicator module and method of installation thereof. The boat trailer depth indicator allows a driver towing a boat trailer to position the boat trailer at an appropriate depth in the water on a boat ramp to launch or recover a boat without the need for an assistant. When the boat trailer is located at an appropriate depth in the water, the boat trailer depth indicator provides a signal to the driver. The signal communicates to the driver and/or the helmsman of the boat, for example, that the boat trailer is sufficiently submerged and ready for launch or recovery of the boat. The boat trailer depth indicator module is independent of vehicle or trailer power and can be installed and adjusted quickly without the use of tools.
ILLUMINATING BOW ROLLER ASSEMBLY
An illuminating bow roller assembly to facilitate loading a watercraft onto a trailer under dark conditions is disclosed. Example components of the assembly include a pair of end bells, a roller, and a yoke into one or more of which lighting elements are recessed into, and a fastening assembly to connect the components to form the assembly. Generally, the lighting elements are arranged such that light therefrom is emitted toward one or more of the end bells and roller. The end bells and roller are composed of a translucent material that propagates light emitted from the lighting elements, which extends illumination to areas surrounding the bow roller assembly in addition to the bow roller assembly itself. A water-activated switch can be implemented to control the illumination of the assembly such that the lighting elements only emit light when the trailer is contacting water.
Transport device and assembly
A device and assembly for loading a watercraft. In one embodiment, the device includes an elongated extension brace and a lever pivotable about the elongated extension's second end. A tether may be aligned about the lever and repositionable between a vehicle and the watercraft. The result is an assembly to repositionably secure a watercraft from a surface to a loaded vehicle position.
BOAT CARRIER
A boat carrier is provided, including a frame, an upper supporting assembly and a lower supporting assembly. The frame has a base and a first rod assembly. The first rod assembly is disposed on the base. The first rod assembly extends in a Z direction. The upper supporting assembly is connected to the first rod assembly. The lower supporting assembly is connected to the first rod assembly. The lower supporting assembly includes at least one lower supporting member. The at least one lower supporting member includes a first supporting segment and a second supporting segment which extend in a Y direction. A first included angle directed toward an X direction is defined between the first supporting segment and the second supporting segment.
Natural marker based boat loading assistant
A navigational system for guiding a boat onto a trailer comprising at least a portion of a tow vehicle which forms a natural marker for the navigation system. A camera is located on the boat to assist the navigational system with aligning a longitudinal axis of the boat with a longitudinal axis of the trailer. A central vertical (mid) axis of the camera is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the boat. An image processing unit receives and processes images from the camera. The image processing unit, based upon a determination of a position of the central vertical (mid) axis of the camera relative to a target area of the detected natural marker, generating guidance commands to assist a user with alignment of the longitudinal axis of the boat with the longitudinal axis of the trailer and thereby facilitate proper loading of the boat onto the trailer.