Personal Watercraft Docking Apparatus with Spreadable Clamp
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing personal watercraft docking methods are inefficient due to the need for manual attachment and detachment processes, which are time-consuming and can cause damage to the watercraft from movement and contact with the dock or structure.
Innovation Solution
A spreadable clamp attached to an elongated pole with a structure attaching mechanism that prevents lateral horizontal movement, allowing secure docking without direct contact between the watercraft and the dock, and can be easily attached from the dock side.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If simple tying is used to attach watercraft to dock, then attachment is achieved, but watercraft movement causes damage to watercraft hull
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by positioning the watercraft at a distance from the dock structure using a docking apparatus, preventing direct contact and potential damage before it can occur. The system maintains a buffer zone between the watercraft and dock, cushioning against harmful impacts from waves and movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The docking apparatus acts as an intermediary between the watercraft and the dock structure. It includes a mounting mechanism that attaches to the watercraft and a separate structure attaching mechanism that connects to the dock, with a pole or arm connecting these two elements, thereby preventing direct contact and damage.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If padding is added to prevent damage, then watercraft protection is improved, but padding causes scratches, dents, and weakening of watercraft hull
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using padding that contacts the watercraft hull, the patent introduces a docking apparatus as an intermediary that attaches to the watercraft through a mounting mechanism without requiring direct contact between the hull and the dock structure. This eliminates the need for protective padding that would otherwise weaken the hull.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the protective function from the watercraft hull itself by providing an external docking apparatus that handles all protection needs. The mounting mechanism attaches to the watercraft without requiring padding or modifications to the hull structure, thereby preserving hull integrity while still providing protection.
3Reliability
If manual attachment process is used, then attachment is achieved, but the process is extremely time consuming and burdensome
Solution Approach 1:
The docking apparatus enables self-service docking by allowing the watercraft to be attached to the dock without requiring a person to enter the watercraft. The mounting mechanism can be engaged from the dock side, and the structure attaching mechanism secures the apparatus to the dock structure, eliminating the need for manual intervention in the watercraft.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional docking approach by allowing attachment to be initiated from the dock side rather than from within the watercraft. The mounting mechanism is designed to be engaged by operations personnel on the dock, reversing the conventional sequence and significantly reducing docking time and complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Watercraft docking apparatus including a spreadable clamp attachable to a watercraft to be docked, an elongated pole attached at one end to the spreadable clamp, and structure attaching mechanism attached to an opposite end of the elongated pole. The spreadable clamp and the structure attaching mechanism are both designed to prevent lateral horizontal movement of the elongated pole.