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  Boat portage apparatus and methodUSPTO Application #: 20070292209Title: Boat portage apparatus and method Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a stationary boat lift in which boats can enter and exit quite readily. The boat lift allows a boat to bypass various barriers in a safe and efficient manner by orienting the boat in a direction substantially parallel to the barrier, vertically lifting the boat out of one waterway, laterally translating the boat horizontally over the barrier, and then vertically lowering the boat into a second waterway. (end of abstract)
Agent: Hahn Loeser & Parks, LLP - Akron, OH, US Inventors: Richard B. Bishop, charles L. Bishop USPTO Applicaton #: 20070292209 - Class: 405002000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Hydraulic And Earth Engineering, Marine Vessel Portage, Launching, Or Removing, Rail Mounted Carrier The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070292209. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This utility patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/725,535 filed on Oct. 11, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. This application also incorporates by reference U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,457,904; 6,174,106; and 5,947,639. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The embodiments of the present invention relate to a lifting apparatus used to portage a boat. More specifically, the embodiments of the present invention relate to mechanisms and methods for lifting a boat out of a body of water and transferring the boat horizontally over a barrier. BACKGROUND [0003] In the context of this invention, "portage" means to carry a boat and/or its supplies overland from a first body of water, between two waterways or around an obstacle to navigation. Known within the prior art are devices for lifting boats out of water for such purposes as making repairs, protecting them from dock collision caused by tidal action, and mitigating or preventing damage to their hulls due to excessive water exposure. U.S. Pat. No. 5,184,914 describes and shows a boat lift that consists of a frame that cradles and lifts a boat from the water by means of a hydraulic ram. The device requires a person to enter the water to secure several members of the device around the bottom of the hull. U.S. Pat. No. 5,593,247 describes a programmable boat lift control system that with the push of a button causes the lift to either raise or lower the boat to a pre-programmed elevation. [0004] Both of these devices are useful for their intended purposes, however, both are limited to lifting and lowering the boat in a vertical direction. Unfortunately, this was indicative of the general state of the art in boat lifting devices. The prior art fails to teach an apparatus that can lift and lower a boat in a vertical direction, as well as transfer the boat in a horizontal direction. Prior art references also fail to teach orienting a boat parallel to the barrier and then lifting the boat out of the water. By orienting a boat parallel to the barrier it is meant that the starboard or port side of the boat is juxtaposed to the edge of the barrier. Applicant has discovered the need to transfer boats over barriers, from one body of water to another. Notably, in many areas, salt water and fresh water are separated by various types of barriers, such as water divider walls and land barriers. Often barriers are needed to separate fresh from salt water due to the various types of organisms, plants, and animals that can survive only in one type of environment, i.e., either in salt or in fresh water, but not both. Regardless of the need to isolate salt from fresh water, boats and other water vehicles frequently require access to, from, and between separate water bodies. [0005] A novel approach to prior art inventions includes a lifting apparatus that allows an operator to orient their boat sideways in relation to the lifting apparatus and/or barrier (i.e., perpendicular to the line of travel). In this fashion, the boat will be easier to maneuver and control. Also, for many boats, the hull shape would suggest that its center of gravity will be positioned more appropriately. Therefore, there is a need to provide a lift that allows a boat to be oriented in a sideways manner relative to the barrier and to portage the boat in that direction (i.e., star-board-to-port or vice versa). SUMMARY [0006] In one embodiment of the present invention a boat lift includes a base structure having a first frame section erected over a barrier wherein the barrier is juxtaposed to at least a first body of water. It is noted that the barrier may also separate two bodies of water or an obstacle to navigation in the water. The base structure may also include a second frame section cantilevered over the first body of water, and a lift frame operatively connected to the base structure. A cradle assembly, including a cradle support and/or boat sling capable of receiving an associated boat for carrying the associated boat across the barrier, is moveably connected to the lift frame and more specifically to the base structure. A mechanism or actuator for actuating the cradle assembly is also incorporated into the boat lift. [0007] One aspect of the embodiments of the present invention includes a horizontally moveable lift frame capable of traversing the second frame section, and a mechanism for actuating the lift frame. [0008] Another aspect of the embodiments of the present invention includes the base structure having a third frame section cantilevered over a second body of water where the horizontally moveable lift frame is capable of traversing the third frame section. [0009] In yet another aspect of the embodiments of the present invention the lift frame and the cradle assembly are capable of translating the associated boat across the barrier with either of the associated boat's port side or starboard side approaching the barrier. The horizontally moveable lift frame and the cradle assembly are capable of carrying and releasing the associated boat into the second body of water in a direction substantially parallel to the barrier. [0010] Still another aspect of the embodiments of the present invention includes a boat lift apparatus having a non-water retaining boat-support mechanism that includes one or more flexible straps for receiving the associated boat, wherein the one or more flexible straps are selectively adjustable to receive one of first and second substantially different associated boats. The non-water retaining boat-support mechanism may also include a net for receiving and lifting the associated boat. [0011] In another embodiment of the present invention a method for transporting a boat over a barrier juxtaposed to a first body of water includes the steps of providing a base structure having a moveable lift frame and a cradle assembly, positioning the moveable lift frame extending over the first body of water, positioning the cradle assembly into the first body of water, maneuvering an associated boat into the cradle assembly, wherein the starboard or port side of the associated boat is juxtaposed to the barrier, raising the cradle assembly to lift the associated boat out of the first body of water and to an elevation that is higher than the barrier, and translating the associated boat across the barrier. [0012] After the boat has entered the boat lift it may be positioned over a boat-support mechanism. This means of support could be adjustable, such as a set of two or more nylon straps. However, it is contemplated that alternate supporting mechanisms could be used including a heavy gauge net and/or a rigid cradle assembly. In employing straps, one strap may be located near the bow or front portion of the boat while another strap may be located near the stern or rear portion of the boat. A motor and cables may be used to lower or raise the cradle. [0013] Once the boat is in a fully raised position, the boat lift translates the boat in a substantially horizontal direction over the barrier. Translating is actuated by a motor which powers a conveyance mechanism, such as a set of track wheels, to move the boat lift back and forth. An operator is able to easily control the functioning of the boat lift through a control panel located near or within the boat lift. It is also contemplated that an operator may direct the boat lift's functioning via a remote control device. In one embodiment, the boat lift may serve as an alternate to a lock, whereby the bodies of water may be at different levels. Despite the differences in relative elevations, the boat's movement may still be in a substantially horizontal, albeit inclined, direction of travel. [0014] One aspect of the embodiments of the present invention includes laterally translating the associated boat with respect to the associated boat's forward direction of travel. [0015] Another aspect of the embodiments of the present invention includes positioning the moveable lift frame and the boat over a second body of water and lowering the cradle assembly to release the boat into the second body of water where the starboard or port side of the associated boat is juxtaposed to the barrier. [0016] Yet another aspect of the embodiments of the present invention includes a vertically moveable cradle assembly where the cradle assembly includes a boat cradle and/or boat sling capable of receiving a boat, for carrying the boat across the barrier and for releasing the boat into the second body of water in a direction substantially parallel to the barrier. [0017] Another aspect of the embodiments of the present includes vertically moving the moveable cradle assembly to maintain a constant elevation above the surface of the barrier. [0018] Still another aspect of the embodiments of the present invention includes weights attached to a non-water retaining boat-support mechanism. [0019] Even another aspect of the embodiments of the present invention includes releasing the boat into the second body of water wherein the starboard or port side of the boat is juxtaposed to the barrier. [0020] Other aspects will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Continue reading... Full patent description for Boat portage apparatus and method Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Boat portage apparatus and method patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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