Ladder for rigid inflatable boats

Abstract

A ladder system for a boat having gunwale tubing comprises a ladder including two side rails and at least one rung transversely disposed across the side rails and a platform having a curved recess and platform surface. The top portion of the ladder is pivotably attached to the side of the platform and extends downward therefrom. The platform is disposed on the gunwale tubing of the boat such that the curved recess of the platform receives and engages the tubing. A stanchion extends laterally from the ladder and includes two support each extending from a corresponding side rail of the ladder. A stanchion pad is disposed at an end of said stanchion disposed between the two stanchion supports, and engages the hull of the boat to prevent twisting of the ladder when it is deployed. The ladder system prevents deformation of the gunwale tubing while providing enhanced stability.

Claims

1. A ladder system for a boat having a hull and gunwale tubing, comprising: a ladder including two side rails and at least one rung transversely disposed across said side rails; a platform having a curved recess and a substantially planar platform surface; said ladder attached to a side of said platform; and wherein said platform is configured to be disposed on said gunwale tubing such that said curved recess receives a top portion of said gunwale tubing with said substantially planar platform surface extending above said gunwale tubing.

2. The ladder system of claim 1, further comprising a stanchion extending laterally from said ladder.

3. The ladder system of claim 2, wherein a stanchion pad is disposed at an end of said stanchion, said pad adapted to engage said hull of said boat to prevent twisting of said ladder.

4. The ladder system of claim 3, wherein said stanchion comprises two support members extending laterally from said side rails, wherein said stanchion pad is disposed transversely across said support members.

5. The ladder system of claim 4, wherein said support members are pivotably attached to said side rails.

6. The ladder system of claim 1, further comprising an attachment bracket having a first side and an opposing second side, said side rails of said ladder pivotably attached to said first side of said attachment bracket and said second side of said attachment bracket secured to said side of said platform of said ladder.

7. A ladder system for a boat having a hull and gunwale tubing, comprising: a ladder including two side rails and at least one rung transversely disposed across said side rails; a stanchion including a stanchion pad; a platform having a curved recess and a substantially planar platform surface; said ladder pivotably attached to a side of said platform; said stanchion attached to and extending laterally from said ladder; wherein said platform is configured to be disposed on said gunwale tubing such that said curved recess receives a top portion of said gunwale tubing with said substantially planar platform surface extending above said gunwale tubing; and wherein said stanchion pad is adapted to engage said hull of said boat to prevent twisting of said ladder.

8. The ladder system of claim 7, wherein said stanchion comprises two support members extending laterally from said side rails, wherein said stanchion pad is disposed transversely across said support members.

9. The ladder system of claim 8, wherein said support members are pivotably attached to said side rails of said ladder.

10. A ladder system for a boat having a hull and gunwale tubing, comprising: a ladder including two side rails and at least one rung transversely disposed across said side rails; a stanchion including a stanchion pad; a platform having a curved recess and a substantially planar platform surface; said ladder pivotably attached to a side of said platform; said stanchion pivotably attached to and extending laterally from said ladder; wherein said platform is disposed on said gunwale tubing such that said curved recess receives a top portion of said gunwale tubing with said substantially planar platform surface extending above said gunwale tubing; wherein said stanchion pad is adapted to engage said hull of said boat to prevent twisting of said ladder; wherein said ladder system provides at least a deployed position.

11. The ladder system of claim 10, wherein said stanchion comprises two support members extending laterally from said side rails, wherein said stanchion pad is disposed transversely across said support members.

12. The ladder system of claim 11, wherein said support members are pivotably attached to said side rails of said ladder.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the ladder of the present invention in isolation.

(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ladder of the present invention attached to a rigid-hulled inflatable boat.

(3) FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the ladder of the present invention attached to gunwale tubing of a rigid-hulled inflatable boat.

(4) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the rear of a rigid-hulled inflatable boat, showing the ladder of the present invention in a stowed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(5) With reference to FIG. 1, shown is the ladder 10 of the present invention isolated from a vessel or any other structure. Ladder 10 comprises two side rails 11 and 12 in parallel configuration having at least one ladder rung 13 transversely disposed across the side rails. In some embodiments, a plurality of ladder rungs 13 is provided. In some embodiments, side rails 11 and 12 are generally tubular and are configured to extend downward into the water when ladder 10 is in its deployed position. The top portion 14 of ladder 10 is pivotably mounted to attachment bracket 15. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the top of each side rail 11 and 12 includes a thinned protrusion which engages a bi-furcated attachment tongue 16. In this manner, the entirety of ladder 10 can pivot about tongues 16 and, in some embodiments, pivots upward for storage.

(6) Attached to and extending laterally from side rails 11 and 12 is a stanchion 17. Stanchion 17 comprises two supports 18 and 19 attached at a first end to side rails 11 and 12, respectively. A stanchion pad 110 is disposed transversely across a second end of each of the supports 18 and 19. In some embodiments, supports 18 and 19 are pivotably attached to side rails 11 and 12, respectively, such that stanchion 17 can pivot and rotate upwards toward side rails 11 and 12. In some embodiments, supports 18 and 19 are attached to attachment tongues 111 and 112 on side rails 11 and 12, respectively. This allows the stanchions to collapse, reducing the footprint of the ladder 10 for storage. As shown, in some cases the stanchion 17 is attached to side rails 11 and 12 substantially toward the mid point thereof. It is appreciated, however, that the location of the stanchion 17 relative to the side rails 11 and 12 can vary depending on the desired application, taking into account the configuration of the vessel to with which the ladder 10 is used.

(7) With reference to FIG. 2, shown is a perspective view of ladder 10 in its fully deployed position, attached to a boat 20 which is depicted as a rigid-hulled inflatable boat. Boat 20 includes gunwale tubing 21 disposed on top of and around the perimeter of hull 22. Ladder 10 is mounted to the side of boarding platform 30. The platform 30 has a curved recess 31 (FIG. 3) which receives and conforms to the curvature of the top of gunwale tubing 21. Bracket 15 is secured to the side of platform 30 by known means, such as bolts, screws, rivets, or the like. With reference to FIG. 3, a first side 151 of the bracket 15 attached to the top portion 14 of ladder 10 and a second side 152 is secured to the side of platform 30. Ladder 30 extends downward from platform 30 at least partially into the water (not shown). Stanchion 17 extends inward from ladder 10 toward hull 22 such that stanchion pad 110 is pressed against hull 22. Accordingly, stanchion 17 prevents twisting and rotation of ladder 10 while deployed, providing a significant advantage over the prior art.

(8) FIG. 3 more clearly shows the present invention deployed on Boat 20, from a cross-sectional perspective. As shown, the curved recess 31 is received over gunwale tubing 21 and provides a substantially planar platform surface 32 extending above the gunwale tubing 21. The two side walls 33 and 34 of platform 30 extend downward around tubing 21, providing stability and resistance to rotation. Platform 30 is configured to provide a stable platform for accessing ladder 10 that does not cause deformation or damage to the gunwale tubing 21. To wit, platform 30 evenly distributes the forces applied to the ladder 10 across the gunwale tubing in radial fashion, which limits deformation of the gunwale tubing and greatly enhances stability and usability as compared to prior designs. Accordingly, platform 30 provides a stable working surface for recreational, commercial, and rescue use.

(9) The ladder 10 of the present invention is configured to collapse and be removed for storage. Accordingly, ladder 10 provides at least two operable positions, a deployed position and a storage position. In the storage position, stanchion 17 is rotated inward about tongues 111 and 112 against side rails 11 and 12. Platform 30 can then be removed from the top of gunwale tubing 21, and the entire ladder 10 can be removed for storage. FIG. 4 depicts the entire assembly of ladder 10 stored at the rear of boat 20. In the deployed position, platform 30 is situated over the top of gunwale tubing 21 and stanchion 17 is rotated outward about tongues 111 and 112 and ladder 10 is pivoted about tongues 16 such that ladder 10 rotates downward and extends into the water. To provide the most stability, ladder 10 is pivoted downward until stanchion pad 110 comes into contact with hull 22. Accordingly, the pivoting engagement of the ladder 10 with platform 30 allows the ladder 10 be adjusted in order to provide optimum stability while deployed. While the depicted embodiments utilize tongues 16, 111, and 112 to allow for the respective components to pivot and rotation, other known structures allowing such pivoting are equally suitable. In some embodiments, the platform 30 is not permanently affixed to gunwale tubing, but rather the entire ladder 10 can be removed from the gunwale tubing and stored elsewhere on the vessel (FIG. 4), or on dry dock.

(10) It is appreciated that the size of the ladder 10 and the other components of the present invention can vary without departing from the present invention. For example, if ladder 10 is to be used on a vessel's which has gunwale tubing that extends further outward from the hull surface, then a long stanchion 17 may be provided. Further, platform 30 and recess 31 can be altered in size and shape to accommodate a variety of differently sized and shaped gunwale tubing. Further still, the overall length of ladder 10 and specifically rails 11 and 12 can be altered as desired. For example, a dive ladder may be desired to be longer than a rescue ladder.

(11) Based on the foregoing, it is apparent the present invention provides substantial advantages compared to existing RIB ladders. The integration of the platform 30 with the ladder 10 improves load handling and prevents deformation or damage to the gunwale tubing 22. Further, the stanchion 17 which comes in contact with hull 22 ensures that the ladder 10 will not twist or rotate while in use, particularly in rougher sea conditions. Accordingly, the present invention provides greatly enhanced safety, usability, durability, and functionality. It is further appreciated that the present invention, while suitable for rigid-hulled inflatable boats, could be equally useful on other types of vessels, including standard fiberglass-hulled boats, soft-hulled inflatable boats, and the like.

(12) The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.