Stern-Mounted Dinghy Holding Device with Hook Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional methods for attaching and transporting dinghies on yachts are unsafe, obstructive, and inefficient, leading to vision obstruction, space issues, laborious handling, and risk of damage or loss, especially in high winds and waves.

Innovation Solution

A holding device with hook-shaped coupling outriggers and pickups that securely attach the dinghy to the yacht, allowing it to be lifted and locked at an angle, providing a strong and stable connection even in high winds, and enabling easy handling by one person.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the dinghy is transported on the boat (bow or cabin roof), then the dinghy is securely held, but the skipper and crew's forward view is obstructed and valuable space is taken up

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure holding of dinghyVSAvoidforward view area and onboard space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The holding device relocates the dinghy from horizontal positions (bow or cabin roof) to a vertical dimension at the stern, suspending it below the yacht's transom. This dimensional change eliminates obstruction of the forward view and frees up onboard space while maintaining secure holding through the mechanical coupling system with outriggers and receivers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the dinghy is attached to the stern with a rope, then the dinghy can be carried, but at wind speeds of approximately 20 knots the dinghy can lift off and be thrown through the air, potentially causing damage or injury

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of attachmentVSAvoidsecurity of attachment in high winds
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The hook-shaped coupling on the outriggers engages with the curved surface of the receiver's coupling axis, creating a mechanical interlock that prevents the dinghy from lifting off in high winds. The geometric shape provides inherent retention without requiring complex locking mechanisms, maintaining both simplicity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The outriggers are pre-positioned and the hook-shaped couplings are ready to engage with the receivers before the dinghy is lifted into position. This preliminary arrangement ensures that as soon as the dinghy is hoisted, the mechanical coupling automatically engages, providing immediate secure attachment without requiring additional steps during critical moments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the dinghy is carried suspended from davits, then the dinghy can be securely transported, but the solution is more expensive and requires corresponding space on board, so it is only practical for larger yachts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure transport of dinghyVSAvoidstructure and space requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holding device is divided into separate modular components: outriggers with hook-shaped couplings attached to the dinghy, and receivers with coupling axes mounted on the yacht. This segmentation allows the system to be installed on yachts of various sizes without requiring extensive structural modifications, reducing both complexity and space requirements compared to traditional davits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The receiver structure serves multiple functions: it provides mounting points for the coupling axes, acts as the attachment interface to the yacht's stern, and supports the mechanical locking action. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall system while maintaining secure transport capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of operation

If the dinghy is located in the bow area, then the dinghy is easily accessible, but the crew is limited in its ability to perform necessary work and lines can become entangled in the dinghy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility of dinghyVSAvoidline entanglement and work obstruction
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The dinghy is extracted from the bow area and relocated to the stern suspension position. This removal from the problematic location eliminates the harmful effects of line entanglement and obstruction of crew work areas, while the dinghy remains easily accessible through the hoisting and lowering mechanism operated from the cockpit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3046833B1Holding device for holding a ship's boat or other additional component to be carried along, and use of said device
Publication Date: 2019.08.21 S4U
  • EP3046833B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3046833B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3B
  • EP3046833B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a holding device for fastening, to the stern area of a ship, a ship's boat or an additional component to be detachably carried along, which device comprises a plurality of arms (1, 2) which have a hook-shaped coupling (3) and are rigidly or detachably connected to the ship's boat or additional component, and a plurality of receiving portions (6) which comprise at least one coupling shaft (7) and are mounted on the stern or on an additional part of the ship permanently installed on the stern in such a way that said arms are hooked into the coupling shaft by the hook-shaped coupling and by a rotation of the arm or the receiving portion about the coupling shaft are locked in place when a defined angle of rotation is reached.