Boat boarding step with clamping mount and adjustable struts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing boarding devices for animals, such as dogs, are unstable, difficult to attach and detach, and do not adapt well to various boat hull designs, making it challenging for animals to board surfaces from the water, and often require human assistance, which can be dangerous and inconvenient.

Innovation Solution

A boat boarding apparatus with a clamping mounting assembly that attaches to the boat hull gunwale or transom lip, featuring adjustable strut assemblies and a boarding step assembly with parallel runners and platforms, designed to minimize external forces and adapt to different hull shapes, providing a stable and secure boarding solution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If prior boarding devices are used, then animals can board from water, but the devices are unstable and move excessively relative to the boat hull

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of boarding deviceVSAvoidexcessive movement relative to boat hull

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The boarding device is divided into separate modular components including a mounting assembly with clamping mechanism, a support structure with struts, and a platform assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and assembled to reduce movement and improve stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting assembly uses clamping forces to create counteracting forces that stabilize the device against external forces from water and animal movement. The clamping mechanism generates friction forces that counterbalance the external forces, preventing excessive movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

2Reliability

If prior boarding devices are used, then animals can board from water, but the devices are difficult to attach and detach

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure attachment to boatVSAvoidease of attachment and detachment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting assembly incorporates a dynamic clamping mechanism that can be quickly engaged and disengaged. The clamping structure allows for rapid attachment by simply closing the clamp around the boat hull and quick release by opening the clamp, eliminating complex fastening procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping mechanism is designed to be self-adjusting and self-securing, where the act of clamping automatically creates the necessary friction and mechanical engagement to secure the device to the boat hull, without requiring additional fastening steps or tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If prior boarding devices are used, then animals can board from water, but the devices do not adapt to various boat hull designs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different boat hull designsVSAvoidstable engagement with boat surface

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting assembly is designed as a universal interface that can accommodate various boat hull shapes and sizes. The clamping mechanism can engage with different hull contours, and the strut lengths are adjustable to adapt to different mounting positions and angles, making the device versatile across multiple boat designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting assembly incorporates adjustable and flexible elements that allow it to dynamically adapt to different boat hull geometries. The clamping mechanism can be positioned at various locations and angles, and the struts can be adjusted in length and orientation to maintain stable engagement regardless of the specific hull design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If prior boarding devices are used, then animals can board from water, but the devices have high surface area exposed to water forces causing excessive movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to external water forcesVSAvoidsurface area of boarding device

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The boarding device uses a framework structure with minimal solid surfaces, allowing water forces to pass through rather than acting on large continuous surfaces. The open framework design reduces the effective surface area exposed to water forces while maintaining structural integrity and animal boarding functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS9815529B2Apparatus and method for boarding animals onto a boat

Publication Date: 2017.11.14 PYP HLDG LLC

AI summary

Disclosed is a boarding apparatus for boarding animals onto a boat or other above-water surface, and methods of using the apparatus. The apparatus has a boarding step assembly, a mounting assembly attached to the boarding step assembly for connecting the step assembly to a boat hull gunwale or transom lip, and a strut assembly for supporting the engagement of the boarding step assembly to the boat hull.