Boat support frame loading and unloading apparatus

Abstract

In one aspect the invention provides a boat support frame loading and unloading apparatus configured to draw a boat on to and off a boat support frame. This boat support frame has a loading end and a terminal end opposite to the loading end. The apparatus provided includes at least one roller assembly mounted to the support frame adjacent to the loading end of the support frame, said at least one roller assembly incorporating at least one roller element. The apparatus also includes at least one drive mechanism configured to rotate one or more roller elements to draw a boat onto and off the support frame through the loading end of the support frame. The roller assembly also includes a hull contact surface formed by a flexible belt which has a circumference greater than the circumference of the said at least one roller element incorporated into the roller assembly.

Claims

1. A boat support frame loading and unloading apparatus configured to draw a boat on to and off a boat support frame, the apparatus comprising: a boat support frame having a loading end and a terminal end opposite to the loading end; and at least two roller assemblies mounted opposite one another symmetrically about a midline of the boat support frame adjacent to the loading end of the boat support frame, each roller assembly incorporating: at least one roller element, at least one drive mechanism configured to rotate one or more of the at least one roller elements to draw a boat onto and off the boat support frame through the loading end of the boat support frame, a hull contact surface formed by a flexible belt formed in a loop with a circumference greater than a circumference of the at least one roller element, the flexible belt configured to move over the at least one roller element as the at least one roller element is rotated by the at least one drive mechanism to rotate the flexible belt, and a tension rotor located distal from the at least one roller element rotated by the at least one drive mechanism and at least one guide roller, the at least one tension rotor and the at least one guide roller configured to tension or shape the flexible belt to define a substantially flat drive plane on a side of the loop to be placed in contact with a hull of the boat, wherein the at least one roller element rotated by the at least one drive mechanism is vertically offset from the tension rotor and the at least one guide roller such that the at least one drive mechanism and the at least one roller element driven by the at least one drive mechanism are positioned below the substantially flat drive plane.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the boat support frame loading and unloading apparatus forms a road going boat trailer.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one drive mechanism is formed by a hydraulic motor.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tension rotor is formed by a passive roller.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one guide roller is positioned between the tension rotor and the at least one roller element to guide the motion of the loop when rotated over the roller element and tension rotor.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one roller element has a substantially cylindrical form with the exterior of the form defining a plurality of gripping projections.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each roller assembly comprises a roller assembly chassis, the at least one roller element rotated by the at least one drive mechanism, the tension rotor and the at least one guide roller mounted on and positioned by the roller assembly chassis.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the roller assembly chassis is connected to the boat support frame by a mounting post.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the mounting post is connected to the roller assembly chassis by an intervening longitudinal pivot connector engaged with a lateral pivot connector, the longitudinal pivot connector and lateral pivot connector each being arranged to rotate about a different axis of rotation, the axis of rotation of the longitudinal pivot connector being substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the lateral pivot connector.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each roller assembly is connected to a boat support frame using a lifting structure.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the lifting structure comprises a compression element.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the compression element comprises a hydraulic ram.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the compression element comprises a pneumatic ram.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the substantially flat drive plane is not aligned with the rotational axis of a drive shaft of the drive mechanism.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Example embodiments of the invention are now discussed with reference to the drawings in which:

(2) FIGS. 1a and 1b show perspective views of the invention implemented in two different embodiments to load and unload boats from a road going trailer,

(3) FIGS. 2 and 3 show exploded and assembled views of a roller assembly and associated mounting bracket as provided in two further embodiments,

(4) FIG. 4 shows a selection of front views of elements the invention implemented in the embodiment of FIG. 3, each view showing the reconfiguration of the invention to adjust the length and positioning of the roller elements of a roller assembly,

(5) FIGS. 5a and 5b show end and plan views of the roller assembly of FIG. 1b,

(6) FIGS. 6a, 6b show a set of perspective views of the roller assembly, connection bracket and carrier arm of the embodiment shown with respect to FIG. 1a, and

(7) FIGS. 7a, 7b show a set of perspective views of the roller assembly, connection bracket and carrier arm of the embodiment shown with respect to FIG. 1b

(8) FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a pair of roller assemblies and associated drive mechanisms deployed on a boat loading road trailer frame in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, and

(9) FIGS. 9a, 9b and 9c show top, side and end view of one of the roller assemblies and drive mechanisms of the embodiment of FIG. 8, and

(10) FIGS. 10a through 10d show front and rear perspective views and underside views of the roller assembly and drive mechanism of the embodiment of FIGS. 9a through 9c, and

(11) FIG. 11 shows a side cross-section view of the roller assembly and drive mechanism illustrated with respect to FIGS. 9 and 10.

(12) FIGS. 12a through 12c show a sequence of side cross section views of the roller assembly and drive mechanism of FIGS. 9 through 11 illustrating the action of the lifting structure provided in this embodiment.

(13) FIGS. 13a through 13c show a corresponding sequence of end views of the roller assemblies, drive mechanisms and boat loading road trailer of FIGS. 8 through 12 illustrating the action of the lifting structure provided in this embodiment.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(14) FIGS. 1a and 1b shows a perspective view of the invention used in two different embodiments to implement a loading and unloading apparatus 1 for a boat support frame formed from a road going trailer 2.

(15) In this embodiment the invention is formed by a number of roller assemblies 3 positioned to the rear or loading end of the trailer. The roller assembles 3 are deployed with a symmetrical arrangement centered around the midline of the trailer frame 4.

(16) In the embodiment shown with respect to FIG. 1a the roller assemblies 3 include a single roller element 5, while in the embodiment of FIG. 1b a pair of adjacent aligned roller elements 5 are provided.

(17) Each roller assembly is enclosed by the ends of a mounting bracket 6 with each mounting bracket 6 connected to a carrier arm 7 to locate the roller assembly 3 in place on the trailer frame 4. The same carrier arm 7 is also used to deploy a passive roller 8 and provides the invention with a pivoting wobble roller arrangement with a pivoting connection 9 to the trailer frame 4. Those skilled in the art will appreciate however that in other embodiments the carrier arm may be directly fixed to a frame and therefore would be unable to move relative to this frame.

(18) Boat loading and unloading operations are completed with the activation of a drive mechanism (not shown) associated with each roller assembly. These drive mechanisms rotate the exterior hull contact surfaces of the roller assemblies to push the stern of a boat off the trailer or to draw the bow of a boat on to the trailer. The hull contact surfaces of each roller assembly continue to rotate until the boat is either launched from the trailer or the bow of the boat comes to rest at the terminal end of the trailer.

(19) FIGS. 2 and 3 show exploded and assembled views of a roller assembly and associated mounting bracket as provided in two further embodiments.

(20) The roller assembly is formed in these embodiments from a pair of roller elements 5 aligned end to end to define the length of the roller assembly 3. The exterior surface of the roller elements forms the hull contact surface 10 of the roller assembly.

(21) Each roller element has a substantially cylindrical form and defines a hollow central region 11. The centre of one of the roller elements is used to accommodate a drive mechanism hydraulic motor 12. Locating the hydraulic motor inside one of the roller elements positions it co-axially with the roller assembly axis of rotation, with the motor being surrounded by the hull contact surface. The hydraulic motor extends a rotating driveshaft 13 which is connected to both the roller elements to impart rotational movement to these components when the motor is activated.

(22) In the configuration of the invention shown with respect to FIG. 2 the roller elements 5 are located immediately adjacent to one another. Conversely FIG. 3 shows the provision of a spacing element 14 between the two roller elements. The spacing element separates the roller elements, creating a void which is able to receive a planing strake projecting from the hull of a boat. As can also see be seen from FIG. 3 the spacing element also acts as a section of the hydraulic motor's driveshaft, rotating when the motor is activated to transfer the motors rotational energy to the second roller element.

(23) FIGS. 2 and 3 also illustrate the form and arrangement of a telescoping support shaft 15 provided by the mounting bracket 6. As can be seen in each of the exploded views the support shaft is provided by a two or three part arrangement of concentrically nested box section shafts. These nested shafts are slid into and out of one another until the length of the mounting bracket matches that of the roller assembly.

(24) FIG. 4 shows a selection of front views of the invention implemented in the embodiment of FIG. 3. Each of these views show the reconfiguration of the invention to adjust the length and positioning of the roller elements of the roller assembly.

(25) As can be seen from FIG. 4 the length of each roller assembly can be adjusted through the insertion of an intervening spacing element 14 between the two roller elements. The size of the spacing element used will dictate the spacing between the roller elements.

(26) FIGS. 5a and 5b show end and plan views of the roller assembly of FIG. 1b.

(27) FIG. 5a illustrates elements of a locking system used in conjunction with the telescoping support shaft of the mounting bracket. The support shaft 15 is implemented with an arrangement of three complimentary nested box section shafts, with a pair of slots 16 formed near the ends of the outer middle shaft. These slots 16 allow a locking screw, bolt or similar component to engage with the surface of the inner section of the shaft and lock it to the middle section at a selected position.

(28) FIG. 5b illustrates the provision of a sliding connection sleeve 17 used to adjust the connection point of the carrier arm 7 to the support shaft, and hence the position of the roller assembly relative to the trailer frame. As can be seen from FIG. 5b this sleeve encircles the support shaft and is free to connect to carrier arm to it at any position along its length.

(29) The operation of this sliding connection sleeve is also shown in more detail with respect to FIGS. 6a-6b and FIGS. 7a-7b. FIGS. 6a, 6b show a set of perspective views of the roller assembly, connection bracket and carrier arm of the embodiment shown with respect to FIG. 1a. Conversely FIGS. 7a, 7b show a set of perspective views of the roller assembly, connection bracket and carrier arm of the embodiment shown with respect to FIG. 1b.

(30) As can be seen from these figures the position at which the sliding connection sleeve 17 is locked to the end of the carrier arm 7 will dictate the relative position of the roller assembly 3 to the trailer once connected through the pivoting connection point 9 of the carrier arm.

(31) FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a boat support frame loading and unloading apparatus 101 as provided by an alternative embodiment of the invention. The apparatus 101 provides a pair of roller assemblies 103 and associated drive mechanisms 112 deployed on a boat loading road trailer frame 104 in accordance with a this embodiment of the invention.

(32) The two roller assemblies 103 are positioned to the rear or loading end of the trailer frame 104. The roller assembles are again deployed with a symmetrical arrangement centered on the midline of the trailer frame.

(33) As can be seen in more detail with respect to FIGS. 9a-c and 10a-d, each of the roller assemblies 103 are formed with a single roller element 105. Each roller element has a substantially cylindrical form with the centre of this form used to accommodate the drive shaft 113 of a drive mechanism, which is provided in this embodiment by a hydraulic motor 112. This arrangement positions the hydraulic motor co-axially with the roller element axis of rotation.

(34) In this embodiment each roller assembly includes a hull contact surface so formed by a flexible belt 110 which has a circumference greater than the circumference of the roller element 105. Each hull contact surface belt is free to move over the roller element, with rotation of the roller element imparting a rotary motion to the hull contact surface belt. The direction of rotation imparted to the belt is shown by the longitudinal arrow illustrated by FIG. 9a.

(35) The various components of each roller assembly are mounted on and positioned by a roller assembly chassis 118. The chassis aids in defining the path traveled by the hull contact surface belt 110 as it rotates while also providing an attachment mechanism for the roller assembly to the boat loading frame 104.

(36) The exterior sidewalls of the roller assembly chassis are coated in a deformable resilient rubber guard material 119. This guard material provides a protective layer over components of the chassis which may damage the hull of a boat being loaded or unloaded as it moves over the chassis.

(37) As illustrated by FIG. 11, the hull contact surface belt 110 is tensioned or shaped by a further tension rotor located at the opposite end of the chassis to the roller assembly. The tension rotor is formed by a passive cylindrical roller 120 which tensions and shapes the hull contact surface belt 110 and guides its motion back towards the driving roller element 105.

(38) The roller assembly also includes three guide rollers 121 positioned between the tension rotor and driving roller element. As is the case with the tension rotor 120, each guide roller 121 is formed by a passive cylindrical roller which guides the path of the belt through the chassis 118 as it rotates over the roller element 105 and tension rotor 120.

(39) Boat loading and unloading operations are completed with the activation of the drive mechanism 112 associated with each roller assembly 103. These drive mechanisms rotate the hull contact surface belt 110 of the roller assemblies to push the stern of a boat off the trailer 104 or to draw the bow of a boat on to the trailer. The hull contact surface belt of each roller assembly continue to rotate until the boat is either launched from the trailer or the bow of the boat comes to rest at the terminal end of the trailer.

(40) As can be seen from FIGS. 9 and 10 the roller element 105, guide rollers 121 and tension rotor 120 define a substantially flat drive plane 122 on the side of the belt 110 to be placed in contact with the hull of a boat. The guide roller closest to the roller element is used to vertically offset the drive plane of the hull contact surface belt from the drive mechanism 112 and its associated driveshaft 113. This guide roller lifts the hull contact surface belt upwards before it forms the drive plane, leaving the drive mechanism positioned below where the roller assembly contacts the boat hull. This arrangement will therefore position the drive mechanism at a location which prevents it from being impacted by the hull of a boat being loaded.

(41) The relative position or orientation of each roller assembly and associated drive mechanism can also be modified in this embodiment through the mounting systems used to connect these components to the boat loading trailer frame.

(42) The embodiment shown with respect to FIGS. 8 through 13 illustrates the use of a mounting post 123 to connect each drive assembly 103 to the trailer frame 104.

(43) The mounting post 123 is connected to the roller assembly chassis by an intervening longitudinal pivot connector 124 engaged with a lateral pivot connector 125. Each pivot connector 124, 125 is arranged to rotate about a different axis of rotation to adjust the range of motion afforded to a roller assembly and the contact angle it makes with various areas of a boat hull. In the embodiment illustrated the axis of rotation of the longitudinal pivot connector is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the lateral pivot connector.

(44) This arrangement allows the roller assembly to sit at a complementary angle to the hull of a boat being loaded or unloaded. Each of the lateral and longitudinal pivot connectors 124, 125 can allow the roller assembly and associated hull contact surface belt to tilt forwards, backwards, or side to side to engage to engage the greatest surface area of the belt with a boat hull. The freedom of orientation provided to the drive assembly is shown by the longitudinal pivot arrow of FIG. 9b and the transverse pivot arrow of FIG. 9c.

(45) In the embodiment shown with respect to FIGS. 8 to 12 a lifting structure 126 is provided in combination with the support post. This lifting structure incorporates a compressible element formed by a hydraulic ram 127 which is located within a rectangular pressure housing 128 which also defines the body of the mounting post. The ram is free to move up and down inside the pressure housing but is locked in a fixed orientation within the housing by a rectangular collar.

(46) The lifting structure is therefore deployed between the boat support frame and roller assembly and is used to adjust the relative vertical position or location of the roller assembly when compared to the boat support frame. In use the pressure housing 128 is charged with pressurised hydraulic fluid to raise the ram 127 and associated roller assembly 103 prior to a loading operation. This initial loading position of the roller assembly is shown with respect to FIG. 12a.

(47) During loading hydraulic fluid is allowed to exit from the pressure housing 128 at a controlled flow rate, with the mid-point of this process shown with respect to FIG. 12b. This structure therefore allows the roller assembly to be lowered at a controlled rate during the boat loading operation, with the final position of the roller assembly being shown with respect to FIG. 12c.

(48) FIGS. 13a through 13c illustrate the position of the roller assembly shown in each of FIGS. 12a through 12b when mounted on the boat loading frame of FIG. 8.

(49) In particular, FIG. 13a shows each roller assembly 103 placed in an initial lifted loading position prior to the loading of a boat to the frame. As can be seen from FIG. 13a the roller assembly 103 is lifted to approximately the same height as a set of passive loading rollers 129 mounted to the mid-point of the loading frame.

(50) FIG. 13b shows the incremental lowering of each roller assembly which occurs as a boat is loaded onto the frame. As can be seem from this figure each roller assembly 103 is still close to the height of the mid-point rollers 129 and would be starting to transfer the weight of the boat to these rollers.

(51) FIG. 13c shows the final position of the roller assemblies 103 once a boat is loaded, with each assembly dropping below the frame's mid-point rollers 129 once the boat is completely loaded.

(52) It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein and further and additional embodiments within the spirit and scope of the invention will be apparent to the skilled reader from the examples illustrated with reference to the drawings. In particular, the invention may reside in any combination of features described herein, or may reside in alternative embodiments or combinations of these features with known equivalents to given features. Modifications and variations of the example embodiments of the invention discussed above will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departure of the scope of the invention.