Pivoting Watercraft Support Arms for Boat Centering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Operators face difficulties in centering boats on trailers during loading, leading to damage and environmental issues due to fixed bunk boards and the need for manual assistance or power loading.

Innovation Solution

The installation of pivoting rigid arms with floatable barrier components on watercraft supports, which pivot to guide and center boats as they are loaded, allowing for alignment without winching or power loading.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fixed bunk boards are used to support the boat, then the boat can be supported during loading, but the boat cannot be effectively centered on the trailer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboat support stabilityVSAvoidboat centering accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing fixed bunk boards with movable, adjustable support structures that can dynamically adapt to center the boat during loading. The support members are positioned to engage the boat's hull and guide it to the centered position on the trailer, providing both stability and centering capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary centering devices or support members that act as mediators between the fixed bunk boards and the boat. These intermediaries provide the necessary guidance and support to achieve precise boat centering while maintaining the structural support function of the bunk boards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Extent of automation

If the trailer is winched to pull the boat onto the trailer, then the loading process can be automated, but the bunk boards and boat may be damaged due to dragging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloading automationVSAvoiddamage to bunk boards and boat

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by providing protective elements or cushioned support surfaces that prevent direct dragging contact between the boat and the bunk boards during winched loading. This cushioning layer protects both the boat hull and the bunk boards from damage while allowing the automated winching process to proceed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary protective elements or sliding surfaces that mediate between the boat and the bunk boards during the winching process. These intermediaries reduce friction and prevent direct damage-causing contact while enabling automated loading.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If power loading is used to force the boat onto the trailer at high speed, then loading can be faster and easier, but environmental damage occurs due to propeller wash and wake

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloading speedVSAvoidenvironmental damage from propeller wash and wake

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by providing pre-positioned support and guidance structures that enable slow, controlled loading of the boat onto the trailer. This eliminates the need for high-speed power loading and the associated environmental harm from propeller wash and wake, while still achieving efficient loading through proper mechanical guidance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

4Manufacturing precision

If additional personnel are used to manually hold the boat during loading, then the boat can be centered accurately, but the operational complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboat centering accuracyVSAvoidloading process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the self-service principle by designing self-aligning support structures and centering devices that automatically guide the boat to the centered position during loading. This eliminates the need for additional personnel to manually hold and position the boat, reducing operational complexity while maintaining centering accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables efficient centering of boats on trailers, reducing damage and environmental impact by allowing for precise alignment and eliminating the need for additional personnel or high-speed maneuvers.

Implementation Method 1

a barrier component configured to float on water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS10232760B2Apparatuses, watercraft supports, and methods therefor

Publication Date: 2019.03.19 CENTERLINE PROD LLC

AI summary

Apparatuses, watercraft supports comprising the apparatuses, and methods of loading watercraft on the watercraft supports for promoting centering of a watercraft while loading the watercraft onto a watercraft support. The apparatuses include at least two units each having a rigid arm having first and second ends and a barrier component configured to float on water. The first end of the rigid arm is configured to be secured to a watercraft support such that the rigid arm pivots relative to the watercraft support. The second end of the rigid arm is configured to be secured to the barrier component such that the rigid arm pivots relative to the barrier component. The units may be located adjacent to oppositely-disposed longitudinal sides of the watercraft support and used to directing the watercraft to be centered over the watercraft support during loading from a body of water.