Dinghy support arrangement

Abstract

A support arrangement for supporting a dinghy on a carrier boat. The support arrangement has a base structure for attachment to the carrier boat and two carrying members for receiving a dinghy having two rear conical pontoon ends pointing in the same direction. The two carrying members are rotatably arranged with respect to the base structure along the longitudinal axis of the base structure such that the dinghy can be moved between a substantially horizontal orientation and an upright orientation with the conical pontoon ends received in the respective carrying member.

Claims

1. A support arrangement attached to a carrier boat, the support arrangement comprising: a tubular member, the tubular member having a first opening defined therein at a first end of the tubular member and a second opening defined therein at a second end of the tubular member, the first end being opposite the second end of the tubular member, the tubular member having a first end portion of a first telescoping arm attached thereto at the first end of the tubular member and a first end portion of a second telescoping arm attached thereto at the second end of the tubular member, the first telescoping arm having a second end portion attached to a swim platform located at a stern region of the carrier boat, the second telescoping arm having a second end portion attached to the swim platform so that the first and second telescoping arms protrude outwardly from the swim platform; and a first ring-shaped carrying member having a first rod member extending radially outwardly in a first direction D1 from the first carrying member, the first rod member having a first outer end being attached to the first end of the tubular member; and a second ring-shaped carrying member having a second rod member extending radially outwardly in a second direction D2 from the second carrying member, the second rod member having a second outer end being attached to the second end of the tubular member, the first direction D1 being opposite the second direction D2.

2. The support arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the tubular member has two opposing openings defined therein for receiving the first rod member and second rod members-, respectively.

3. The support arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the carrying members are adjustable with respect to the tubular member.

4. The support arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the carrying members and the tubular member are movable towards and away from the swim platform of the carrier boat with the first and second telescoping arms.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further details, advantages and aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1a: shows a top view of a support arrangement;

(3) FIG. 1b: shows a side view of the support arrangement in FIG. 1a;

(4) FIG. 2: shows a top view of the support arrangement in FIGS. 1a and 1b attached to a swim platform;

(5) FIG. 3: shows a further support arrangement connected to a swim platform;

(6) FIG. 4a: shows a top view of a further support arrangement;

(7) FIG. 4b: shows a side view of the support arrangement in FIG. 4a; and

(8) FIG. 5: shows a top view of the support arrangement in FIGS. 4a and 4b attached to a swim platform.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(9) In the following, a support arrangement for supporting a dinghy and a boat comprising the support arrangement will be described. The same reference numerals will be used to denote the same or similar structural features.

(10) Structural Description

(11) With reference to FIGS. 1a and 1b, FIG. 1a shows a top view of a support arrangement 10 and FIG. 1b shows a side view of the support arrangement 10. The support arrangement 10 comprises a base structure in the form of a tubular member 12 and a first ring-shaped carrying member 14a and a second ring-shaped carrying member 14b rotatably arranged with respect to the tubular member 12. Each carrying member 14a, 14b is rotatable about a longitudinal axis 16 of the tubular member 12.

(12) The tubular member 12 is intended to be fastened to a stern region of a carrier boat (not shown), for example to a swim platform of the carrier boat. Any fastening arrangement may be used for this purpose. The tubular member 12 has a square-formed outer profile, i.e. its outer cross-sectional contour has the shape of a square.

(13) Each carrying member 14a, 14b comprises a ring 18a and a ring 18b and a first rod member 20a and a second rod member 20b, respectively. The first rod member 20a extends radially outwardly in a first direction D1 from the first carrying member 14a. The second rod member 20b extends radially outwardly in a second direction D2 from the second carrying member 14b. The first direction D1 is opposite the second direction D2. The rings 18a and 18b and the rods members 20a and 20b are formed from a pipe. The thickness of the pipe may be 25 mm. The pipe may be of stainless steel. Each ring 18a and 18b is symmetrically (rotation symmetric) disposed with respect to the rod members 20a and 20b, respectively, i.e. an imaginary line of each rod member 20a and 20b extends through the center of each ring 18a and 18b. Each rod member 20a and 20b is also arranged in the same plane as the respective ring 18a and 18b.

(14) The tubular member 12 is substantially straight and comprises a first opening 22a and a second opening 22b at its opposite ends first end 60 and second end 62 (along the longitudinal axis 16 of the tubular member 12). Each rod end 68 and 70 of rod member 20a and 20b, respectively is received in each opening 22a and 22b, respectively, in the tubular member 12.

(15) Each rod member 20a and 20b may be telescoped in and out from the respective opening 22a and 22b in the tubular member 12. Dinghys commonly have a spacing (cc-spacing) 24 between its stern pontoon ends of 900 to 1100 mm. By telescoping the rod members 20a and 20b in or out from the respective opening 22a and 22b in the tubular member 12, the distance 24 between the centers of the rings 18a and 18b may be adjusted accordingly such that each pontoon end of the dinghy may be centered within a ring 18.

(16) Although both rod members 20a and 20b in FIGS. 1a and 1b may be telescoped in and out from the respective opening 22a and 22b in the tubular member 12, the distance between the centers of the rings 18a and 18b may also be adjusted if only one of the rod members 20a and 20b can be telescoped and the other rod member 20 is longitudinally fixed to the tubular member 12. A fixed cc-spacing 24 between the centers of the rings 18a and 18b is also possible. A friction arrangement in the form of a rubber bushing (not shown) is provided between the tubular member 12 and each rod member 20a and 20b. The rubber bushing allows relative rotation between the rod members 20a and 20b and the tubular member 12 and adds friction to the displacement of the rod members 20a and 20b along the longitudinal axis 16 of the tubular member 12.

(17) A biasing member (not shown) in the form of a rubber band interconnects the ends of each rod member 20 opposite to the respective ring 18. Thereby, the rod members 20 are held within the tubular member 12 and relative longitudinal displacement therebetween is allowed for adjusting the width between the rings 18. A loop (not shown) is provided at one end of each rod member 20 for fastening the biasing member to the rod members 20. The loops may be replaced with bolts or any structure for attaching the biasing member. The carrying members 14 may be completely detached from the tubular member 12. In case a biasing member is used, the detachment includes separating the biasing member from the rod members 20.

(18) FIG. 2 shows a top view of the support arrangement 10 in FIG. 1 attached to a swim platform 26. The swim platform 26 is mounted to a stern region of a carrier boat 28. Two connections 30 between the swim platform 26 and the carrier boat 28 are visible in FIG. 2. The width between these connections is 840 mm.

(19) The support arrangement 10 is attached to the swim platform 26 by screw connections between the tubular member 12 (not shown) and the underside of the swim platform 26. In FIG. 2, the carrying members 14 are positioned in an upright position, i.e., the rings 18 are oriented with their extension planes substantially horizontal.

(20) FIG. 3 shows a further support arrangement 10 connected to a swim platform 26 at a stern region of a carrier boat 28. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the swim platform 26 is wider (in the lateral direction, parallel to the travel direction of the carrier boat 28) than the swim platform 26 in FIGS. 1 and 2. The swim platform 26 in FIG. 3 has a distance between the connections 30, and a width, of 1500 mm.

(21) The support arrangement 10 in FIG. 3 comprises the same carrying members 14 as in FIGS. 1 and 2. The tubular member 12 may be the same as in FIGS. 1 and 2. However, in FIG. 3, the tubular member 12 does not need any fastening arrangement for attachment to the swim platform 26. Instead, the support arrangement 10 in FIG. 3 comprises a telescoping structure in the form of a first telescoping arm 32a and a second telescoping arm 32b protruding outwardly from the swim platform 26. The telescoping arms 32a and 32b are attached to the underside of the swim platform 26. However, the telescoping arm 32a may alternatively be have a second end portion 72 attached to the carrier boat 28 and the telescoping arm 32b has a second end portion 74 attached to the carrier boat 28. The telescoping arm 32a has a first end portion 64 and the telescoping arm 32b has a first end portion 66 attached to the tubular member 12.

(22) With the telescoping arms 32a and 32b, the carrying members 14 may be adjusted towards or away from the carrier boat 28. Since the swim platform 26 is provided at the stern region of the carrier boat 28, the direction towards the carrier boat 28 substantially corresponds to the forward travel direction of the carrier boat 28.

(23) FIG. 3 illustrates the support arrangement 10 in an exposed position where the carrying members 14 are at the stern side of the swim platform 26. From the exposed position, the carrying members 14 and the tubular member 12 may be moved (e.g. pushed) by collapsing the telescoping arms 32a and 32b to a hidden position (not shown) where the carrying members 14 are hidden under the swim platform 26. In the hidden position, the entire support arrangement 10 is positioned within the outer periphery of the swim platform 26, as seen from above. The telescoping arms 32a and 32b may be locked in the exposed position and in the hidden position, for example with a springingly biased pin.

(24) With reference to FIGS. 4a and 4b, a further support arrangement 10 is shown. FIG. 4a shows a top view of the support arrangement 10 and FIG. 4b shows a side view of the support arrangement 10. The support arrangement 10 comprises two carrying members 14, each with a ring 18 and a rod member 20. However, the base structure in FIGS. 4a and 4b comprises two separate attachment members 34. Each attachment member 34 is configured to be attached to the swim platform 26 of the carrier boat 28. The attachment members 34 are also configured to allow rotation of the carrying members 14.

(25) The respective attachment members 34 each comprises a tubular rod 36. The tubular rods 36 constitute blind holes, i.e. they are bottomed. Otherwise, the tubular rods 36 are of substantially the same appearance as the ends of the tubular member 12 in FIGS. 1 to 3. Apparently, in the support arrangement 10 in FIGS. 4a and 4b, there is no interaction between the rod members 20 through the tubular rods 36. Otherwise, the interaction between the rod members 20 and the respective tubular rods 36 may be the same as the interaction between the rod members 20 and the tubular member 12 in FIGS. 1 to 3. For example, a biasing member may be provided between the rod members 20 and the end of the respective tubular rod 36, opposite to the carrying members 14.

(26) Each attachment member 34 comprises a hook member 38. The hook members 38 have a profile substantially corresponding to (e.g. slightly larger) than the peripheral rod on the swim platform 26. Thereby, the attachment members 34 may be hung onto this peripheral rod at opposite lateral sides of the swim platform 26. Each hook member 38 is provided on the tubular rod 36 at an opposite side with respect to the carrying member 14.

(27) The respective attachment member 34 further comprises a plate member in the form of a supporting platform 40. By abutting on the underside of the swim platform 26, the supporting platform 40 gives support to the respective carrying member 14 by locking the carrying member 14 at a specific rotational position about a peripheral rod on the swim platform 26 onto which the hook member 38 is attached. A joining structure 42 on each attachment member 34, in FIGS. 4a and 4b realized as an arm, rigidly interconnects the respective supporting platform 40 and the tubular rod 36.

(28) Screws connections (not shown) may be provided to secure the attachment members 34 to the swim platform 26, e.g. between the swim platform 26 and the supporting platform 40. Screw connections may also be employed in order to establish and adjust a play between the supporting platform 40 and the swim platform 26. Thereby, a desired rotational position of the carrying member 14 about the peripheral rod on the swim platform 26 can be set.

(29) FIG. 5 shows a top view of the support arrangement 10 of FIGS. 4a and 4b attached to a swim platform 26 which is the same swim platform 26 as in FIG. 2. However, in FIG. 5, each carrying member 14 is attached to the swim platform 26 by hanging a hook member 38 onto the peripheral rod 44 of the swim platform 26.

(30) As can be seen in FIG. 5, the two laterally opposing sides of the swim platform 26 are slightly inclined with respect to each other. Consequently, the rotational axes of the carrying members 14 are slightly inclined with respect to each other. However, the conical pontoon ends of the dinghy may still be received and held in the rings 18 when moving the dinghy between a substantially horizontal orientation and an upright orientation. There may however be a slight relative rotation between the pontoon ends and the respective ring 18 when the carrying members 14 are rotated.

(31) Functional Description

(32) In the following, a use of the support arrangement according to the present disclosure will be described.

(33) When the dinghy is in the water, the dinghy may be guided, rowed or driven to the stern region of the carrier boat. After positioning the carrying members of the support arrangement in a vertical orientation, the width between the carrying members may be adjusted. With a proper adjustment, the load from the dinghy can be evenly distributed over the carrying members. The dinghy may be then guided such that its pontoon ends are inserted into carrying members. This guiding may for example be carried out by a person in the dinghy or by a person on the swim platform of the carrier boat.

(34) By inserting the pontoon ends of the dinghy into the respective carrying member with a slight force, the position of the dinghy in the water may be locked in a horizontal orientation, for example due to friction and local deflation in the pontoon ends. The person may then grab a rope attached to the bow region of the dinghy. By standing on the swim platform or in the carrier boat and pulling the rope when the pontoon ends of the dinghy are received in the carrier members, the dinghy is rotated along with the carrying members from the horizontal orientation to the upright orientation. Thus, the entire lifting movement is accomplished with a single rotating action. The support arrangement also carries a major part of the dinghy load during this lift.

(35) The dinghy may then be secured in the upright orientation, for example by leaning the dinghy to a wall of the carrier boat and/or by tying the rope to the carrier boat. In case a sailing boat is used, the dinghy may be leaned to the backstay. In this upright position, the dinghy only requires a small space on the carrier boat and will not be filled with rainwater.

(36) When the dinghy should be used again, the person may simply untie the rope and let the dinghy rotate by gravity from the upright orientation to the horizontal orientation in the water by rotation of the carrying members in the support arrangement. If the dinghy does not come loose from the support arrangement in the horizontal orientation, a slight push on the dinghy is sufficient for loosening the dinghy.

(37) Since the support arrangement may be adapted to a wide range of carrier boats, it constitutes a universal fitting for carrier boats.

(38) While the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to what has been described above. Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention may be limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

(39) In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb comprise and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article a or an preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

(40) While the present invention has been described in accordance with preferred compositions and embodiments, it is to be understood that certain substitutions and alterations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims.