Boat docking apparatus that maintains boat away from shallow waters

Abstract

The docking apparatus of the present invention is designed and configured to maintain a floating dock with a boat attached thereto within deep enough areas of a lake, river, or the like so that the boat or dock does not collide with land as it would if the water was shallow. The water level of lakes, rivers, and the like vary depending on the time of the year. A boat that is docked for an extended period of time may collide with the floor of the lake, river, or the like as the water level decreases. The docking apparatus of the present invention has a depth sensing system that senses the water depth directly underneath the floating dock and the boat. When the water depth decreases below a predetermined level, the docking apparatus of the present invention energizes an electric motor to move the floating dock and boat along a chain and away from shore onto deeper areas where the water depth is greater than the predetermined level.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION[0001]1. Field of Invention[0002]The present invention is related to an apparatus and method of preventing a floating dock and a boat from being docked on areas of a lake, river, or the like where the water depth is below a predetermined value. More particularly, the invention relates to a docking apparatus having a depth sensing system that periodically senses the water depth directly underneath a floating dock and boat. When the water depth decreases below a predetermined value, the present invention energizes an electric motor to move the tloating dock and boat along a chain and onto deeper waters where the water depth is greater than the predetermined level.[0003]2. Description of Prior Art[0004]Large bodies of water, such as lakes and rivers, often have docks or docking systems for boats. People who own homes along the shore of lakes and rivers will often dock their boats for extended periods of time, for example, through the entire cold winter season. It...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention aims to provide a docking apparatus that can automatically move its floating dock away from the shore and on to deeper waters when the water depth is too low to risk damaging the boat. The invention also includes a feature to periodically measure the water depth underneath the dock to prevent the boat from being harmed when the water level drops. Additionally, the invention simplifies the installation and operation of the docking apparatus, making it easier for boat owners to install and operate.

Problems solved by technology

It is well known to those skilled in the art that docking boats along the shore of lakes and rivers creates problems caused by the expected variation in the water level.

These variations in the water level of lakes, rivers, and the like, have always presented difficulties for operators of small watercrafts.

As the water level drops at certain times of the year, docked boats run the risk of being pushed down against land and damaging its propeller, hull, and other components.

Additionally, as the water level drops, the docks to which the boats are attached are also pushed against land.

Once a dock ends up on land, it is extremely difficult to push it back into the water.

Although this device allows the watercraft to be secure as the water level rises and falls, it fails to protect the watercraft from damage resulting from its collision with the floor of the lake or river when the water level falls too much.

However, none of these solutions remotely address the issue of the watercraft being damaged by its collision with the floor of the lake or river when the water level drops too far.

Constantly having to move the floating dock and watercraft closer and away from the shore of a lake or river to prevent the watercraft from colliding with the floor of the lake or river as the water level varies is extremely burdensome.

However, hiring someone for this task can be a very expensive proposition.

Unless these and other practical problems associated with these docking systems or methods are resolved, the risk of boats and other watercrafts from being damaged by their collision with the floor of the lakes or rivers as the water level drops will persist and any effective docking device will fail to be realized.

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