Boat Ladder Mounting Assemblies with Opposing Resistance Forces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing animal boarding devices for boats are unstable, inconvenient, and difficult to attach to various boat ladder designs, often causing external forces that can intimidate animals and potentially damage the ladder or the device, making it challenging for animals like dogs to safely reboard the boat.
Innovation Solution
A boat boarding apparatus with a set of parallel runners and platforms that attach to existing boat ladders via opposing force-mounted assemblies, providing stability and minimizing external forces through apertures and adjustable hooks, allowing secure and adaptable attachment to different ladder designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a boarding device with high surface area is used to assist animals onto the boat, then the device provides adequate support structure, but the external forces from water movement increase causing high degrees of movement relative to the boat ladder
Solution Approach 1:
The boarding device is divided into multiple discrete platforms spaced along the ladder structure, rather than using large continuous surfaces. This segmentation reduces the surface area exposed to water forces while maintaining structural support through the distributed platform design.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses localized support structures at specific points along the ladder, with platforms positioned only where needed for animal boarding. This creates adequate support at critical locations while minimizing overall surface area that would be subjected to external water forces.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid mounting assembly is used to secure the boarding device to the boat ladder, then the device provides stable attachment, but it cannot adapt to different boat ladder designs
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting assembly incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable components that allow it to adapt its configuration to different boat ladder designs. The mounting arms can be positioned at various locations and angled to match different ladder geometries, providing stable attachment across multiple ladder types.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting assembly is designed with universal features that enable it to attach to various boat ladder designs. The adjustable arms, multiple attachment point options, and flexible configuration capabilities allow a single mounting assembly design to work with different ladder styles and configurations.
3Strength
If the boarding device is designed with extensive structural support, then it provides adequate strength, but it becomes difficult to transport and attach or detach
Solution Approach 1:
The boarding device is divided into modular segments including separate platforms and mounting components that can be easily assembled and disassembled. This segmentation maintains structural strength through proper component design while significantly improving transportability and attachment ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting assemblies are pre-configured with attachment features and adjustment mechanisms that simplify the installation process. The device can be prepared in advance for attachment, reducing the complexity and time required for installation and removal operations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus ensures a stable and convenient boarding process for animals by minimizing external forces, reducing movement relative to the boat ladder, and preventing damage, thus enhancing safety and usability for both animals and humans.
Implementation Method 1
The mounting assemblies provide positive engagement via resistance forces for securing the steps, with the resistance forces being opposing forces to one another
Data Source
AI summary
A boat boarding apparatus for boarding animals onto a boat and methods of using the apparatus. The apparatus has a set of boat boarding steps, a first mounting assembly attached to said boarding steps for connecting said boarding steps to said boat ladder and a second mounting assembly for connecting said boarding steps to said boat ladder. The mounting assemblies provide resistance forces for securing the ladder, with the resistance forces being opposing forces to one another.