DE102021100810A1 - Transport and carrying device for transporting and carrying a watercraft - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a transport and carrying device (2) for transporting and carrying a watercraft (4). In order to create a device (2) for a watercraft (4), in particular for a motor-driven watercraft (4), which allows the watercraft (4) to be slipped easily and quickly even without a special slipping device, it is proposed that the device (2 ) comprises:- two lateral floating bodies (6) spaced at a predetermined distance from one another,- a front connecting element (8) which connects the two lateral floating bodies (6) to one another and keeps them at the predetermined distance from one another,- a flat support structure (10) which is attached laterally to the lateral floating bodies (6) and preferably also to the front of the connecting element (8), the support structure (10) having openings through which water can pass, - a receiving area (12) for the watercraft (4) , between the lateral floating bodies (6) and the front connecting element (8) and above the flat support structure (10), and lifting elements (14) for fastening the Tr loading and carrying device (2) on an external lifting device (22) and for raising and lowering the transport and carrying device (2) by means of the lifting device (22).

Description

The present invention relates to a transport and carrying device for transporting and carrying a watercraft.

The transport and carrying of a watercraft includes, in particular, the slipping of the watercraft, i.e. launching and hauling the watercraft out of the water. The watercraft can be launched from another, preferably larger, watercraft or from the mainland, for example a pier, a quay wall or private property on the water. In this case, the transport and carrying device is preferably gripped by a lifting device, for example a crane, a forklift truck or the like, and is raised or lowered by this together with the watercraft. The lifting device can be stationary or mobile. The lifting device can raise or lower the gripped transport and carrying device hydraulically, pneumatically, via a cable winch or in some other way.

Water vehicles, in particular for leisure purposes, are known from the prior art. Such water vehicles are, for example, Seabobs®, jet skis, paddle boats, canoes, small motor boats, in particular tenders, or the like. These are often carried on yachts for leisure purposes or as tenders. For this purpose, larger yachts and boats in particular often have a storage space (so-called boat garage) for the watercraft that is integrated into the hull or superstructure of the yacht. In addition, larger yachts and boats typically have appropriate slip devices for launching (i.e., launching and hauling) the watercraft. These slip devices are mostly pneumatically, hydraulically or motor-driven and can be designed, for example, as a bathing platform that can be lowered and raised into the water, as a crane or as a roller ramp from the storage room into the water with a cable winch. In this respect, it is usually not a major problem in larger yachts and boats to slip the watercraft carried along.

However, when using an on-board crane or an on-board launching device (so-called davit) for slipping the watercraft carried on board, it can be problematic to find suitable (i.e. sufficiently stable) suspension points on the watercraft for attachment to the crane. For this reason, lifting straps attached to a crane hook are typically used, which are looped around the underside of the hull of the watercraft fore and aft, forming loops in which the hull of the watercraft rests. With the help of such lifting straps, it is possible to slip the watercraft using a crane even without suitable suspension points. However, attaching the lifting straps to the correct location on the hull of the watercraft is difficult and requires some experience. In addition, during transport of the watercraft, one or both lifting straps may inadvertently slip, causing the watercraft to slip out of the loops and fall.

In smaller yachts and boats without suitable slip devices, it can also be a problem to slip the watercraft that are being carried. In such yachts and boats, slipping usually has to be done manually, i.e. with muscle power. However, the watercraft, which are often motor-driven, are relatively heavy (due to the motor, accumulator, fuel carried along, etc.), which can hardly be carried by one person alone. In addition, there is the problem that the watercraft can hit the structure or hull of the yacht or boat and damage it when slipping manually. The watercraft itself can also be affected. This is particularly problematic when the yacht, the boat and/or the watercraft are rented and have to be returned to the lessor undamaged after use.

Proceeding from the prior art described, the object of the present invention is to provide a transport and carrying device for a watercraft, in particular for a motor-driven watercraft, which allows the watercraft to be slipped easily and quickly, even without a special slipping device.

• - zwei in einem vorgegebenen Abstand zueinander beabstandete seitliche Schwimmkörper,
• - ein vorderes Verbindungselement, welches die beiden seitlichen Schwimmkörper miteinander verbindet und in dem vorgegebenen Abstand zueinander hält,
• - eine flächige Stützstruktur, die seitlich an den seitlichen Schwimmkörpern und vorzugsweise auch vorne an dem Verbindungselement befestigt ist, wobei die Stützstruktur Öffnungen aufweist, durch die Wasser treten kann,
• - einen Aufnahmebereich für das Wasserfahrzeug, zwischen den seitlichen Schwimmkörpern und dem vorderen Verbindungselement und oberhalb der flächigen Stützstruktur, und
• - Hubelemente, zur Befestigung der Transport- und Tragevorrichtung an einer externen Hubeinrichtung und zum Anheben und Absenken der Transport- und Tragevorrichtung mittels der Hubeinrichtung.

To solve this problem, a transport and carrying device with the features of claim 1 is proposed. In particular, it is proposed that the transport and carrying device of the type mentioned at the outset includes:

• - two lateral floating bodies spaced at a predetermined distance from one another,
• - a front connecting element, which connects the two lateral floating bodies and keeps them at the specified distance from each other,
• - a flat support structure which is attached to the side of the lateral floating bodies and preferably also to the front of the connecting element, the support structure having openings through which water can pass,
• - a receiving area for the watercraft, between the side floats and the front connecting element and above the planar support structure, and
• - Lifting elements for attaching the transport and carrying device to an external lifting device and for raising and lowering the transport and carrying device using the lifting device.

The transport and carrying device proposed according to the invention has the advantage that it enables a watercraft, in particular a motorized watercraft, to be slipped easily and quickly, even if the yacht or boat from which slipping is to be carried out does not have a special slipping device. The particular advantages of the invention result from various aspects.

The buoyant lateral floats ensure sufficient buoyancy so that the transport and carrying device floats on the water. The floating bodies preferably have a longitudinal extension parallel to a longitudinal axis of the transport and carrying device. The longitudinal axis preferably extends exactly between the two floating bodies. In the case of the transport and carrying device floating on the water surface, the planar support structure is preferably located under water at least in regions, in particular along the longitudinal axis of the transport and carrying device. This allows the watercraft in the water to be easily driven into the recording area. In this case, even the propulsion of the watercraft can be used, either due to momentum from a previous propulsion movement or due to activation of the motor drive of the watercraft. Even without using the propulsion of the watercraft, it can easily be maneuvered into the receiving area of the transport and carrying device when it is floating on the water. The flat support structure is preferably designed to be flexible and can adapt to the shape of the hull of the watercraft. This ensures - at least on the underside of the fuselage - that the support structure rests on the entire surface. Forces occurring when transporting or carrying the watercraft are thus distributed as evenly as possible over the entire underside of the hull and do not only act locally on the hull.

An external lifting device, which is attached to the yacht or boat, for example, is then connected to the lifting elements of the transport and carrying device. The lifting device can be a slip device that is already present in the yacht or boat anyway. It would also be conceivable for the lifting device not to be a slip device that is already provided in the yacht or boat, but rather a lifting device temporarily (during the slipping process) or permanently attached to the yacht or boat. For example, it would be conceivable for the lifting device to be realized in the form of a crane that can be actuated manually (or by an electric motor). The lifting device is preferably a manually (or electromotively) actuated deployment device (so-called davit). If the lifting device is permanently attached to the yacht or boat, it is preferably foldable or stowable when not in use. If the lifting device is only temporarily attached to the yacht or boat, it can, for example, be attached to a mount that is already present on the yacht or boat (e.g. for a plug-in table or for a removable railing or for a rod of a sun protection cover). . However, it would also be conceivable to attach the lifting device to or in the yacht or boat by means of an additional attachment device. This could be done, for example, by plugging, screwing, bracing, clamping or the like. To raise or lower the transport and carrying device together with the watercraft located in the receiving area, the lifting device is actuated, for example manually or by an electric motor.

When the watercraft is lifted out of the water, the excess water can flow off easily through the openings in the planar support structure. This has the advantage that the weight to be lifted is reduced and hardly any water can get onto the deck of the yacht or boat. When the watercraft is raised, the flat support structure can bulge downwards like a trough under the weight of the watercraft, so that at least the underside of the watercraft is accommodated in the trough. In this way, the watercraft can be prevented from unintentionally slipping out of the receiving area during transport and carrying. This applies in particular when the rear side of the planar support structure has a reinforcement that is less stretchable than the remaining part of the planar support structure. In this case, the rear reinforcement would then be arranged higher than the rest of the planar support structure and would effectively prevent the watercraft from slipping out. Additional safety can be gained by additional retaining elements, for example in the form of retaining straps, retaining nets or the like, which secure the watercraft on the transport and carrying device.

The proposed transport and carrying device replaces the previously used lifting straps, which were looped around the hull of the watercraft. In contrast to the slings, the transport and carrying device has the advantage that it has a stabilizing structure in the form of the lateral floats and the front link tion elements, which always keeps the planar support structure, which defines the receiving area together with the lateral floating bodies and the front connecting element, in shape, especially when not in use, i.e. when the watercraft is not (yet) received. This results in a receiving area that is always ready to receive, which, together with the fact that the transport and carrying device floats on the water, ensures that the watercraft can be arranged in the receiving area in a particularly simple, quick and safe manner.

According to an advantageous development of the invention, it is proposed that the transport and carrying device comprises detachable holding elements for holding a watercraft arranged in the receiving area when the holding elements are closed. The holding elements preferably run on the sides of the receiving area where there are no other limitations, for example in the form of the lateral floating bodies and/or the front connecting element and/or the flat support structure. In this sense, it is advantageous if the holding elements delimit the rear and/or the top of the receiving area and, in the closed state, run along at least part of the rear or the top of the watercraft accommodated. The holding elements can be designed, for example, as one or more holding straps, a holding net, a holding rod or the like. The retaining elements ensure that the watercraft is held securely and reliably in the receiving area of the transport and carrying device, even in rough seas or when the transport and carrying device hits the yacht, boat, quay wall, mole during transport or carrying of a watercraft or similar.

The holding elements are preferably detachably fastened to the lateral floating bodies and/or to the front connecting element. The holding elements are preferably releasably fastened on both sides of the transport and carrying device, so that they can be closed and released from both the starboard and the portside. This makes it easier for people on the yacht or boat to handle the proposed transport and carrying device.

The design and arrangement of the lateral floating bodies is generally dependent on the type, size and weight of the watercraft to be accommodated. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the lateral floating bodies are aligned largely parallel to one another, at least in sections. It is also preferred if the front connecting element is arranged on a front side of the transport and carrying device and runs transversely to the lateral floating bodies.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the front connecting element—similar to the lateral floating bodies—is realized by a front floating body. The front floating body can provide additional buoyancy, so that the side floating bodies can possibly be designed with smaller dimensions or a smaller volume. The floating bodies can, for example, consist of a buoyant material (e.g. Styrofoam) or a hollow body filled with air or a buoyant material.

The lateral floating bodies and/or the front floating body are particularly preferably designed to be inflatable. The floats are preferably made of a flexible, airtight material with one or more float chambers and have one or more valves through which the float chambers can be filled with air. This has the advantage that when the transport and carrying device is not in use, air can simply be released from the floating bodies or the floating chambers and the flexible material can be folded up. As a result, the transport and carrying device requires a minimum of storage space when not in use. In addition, the floating bodies made of the flexible material, which surround the watercraft on at least three sides, can act as a kind of fender that prevents the watercraft from hitting the hull or structure of the yacht or boat when being brought on board and causing damage comes. In particular, it is proposed that the floating bodies consist of a so-called drop-stitch material, which has a particularly high stability and torsional rigidity after inflation due to reinforcements formed in the interior.

A particularly simple and cost-effective production of the transport and carrying device can be realized if the front floating body and the side floating bodies are designed in one piece as a common floating arrangement. In addition, this can ensure additional stability and stiffening of the parts of the transport and carrying device that form the stabilization structure. The floating bodies preferably have at least one inflatable floating chamber that extends over a number of floating bodies. Several swimming chambers of the floating arrangement can mesh with one another, so that the various floating bodies are, as it were, interlocked with one another the stability and stiffening can be further improved.

The planar support structure can be, for example, a single web of material or a network of belts, straps, bands or the like. The design of the flat support structure depends on the type, size and weight of the watercraft to be accommodated. Advantageously, the support structure includes a mesh. The net can have a large number of straps, straps, bands or the like that are braided, linked and/or knotted together. The flat support structure preferably consists of a plastic material that is resistant to salt water, UV radiation, temperature fluctuations, etc. It would be conceivable, for example, to implement the support structure as a polyester mesh, polyamide mesh, polypropylene mesh or the like.

According to another advantageous development of the invention, it is proposed that the retaining elements include at least one rear retaining strap which, when the watercraft is arranged in the receiving area, runs along a part of the watercraft that is directed towards the rear of the transport and carrying device and on at least one of the lateral floating bodies and/or can be fastened to the front connecting element and/or the planar support structure. The at least one rear retaining strap delimits the accommodation area to the rear and preferably runs along at least part of the rear of the watercraft accommodated. This prevents the watercraft from unintentionally slipping backwards out of the receiving area.

According to another advantageous development of the invention, it is proposed that the retaining elements include at least one upper retaining strap which runs along an upper side of the watercraft when the watercraft is arranged in the receiving area and can be fastened to the two lateral floating bodies. The at least one upper retaining strap delimits the receiving area at the top and preferably runs along at least part of the upper side of the watercraft that is being carried. In this way, the watercraft is prevented from unintentionally jumping out of the receiving area.

According to another preferred embodiment, it is proposed that the at least one rear retaining strap can be fastened on the one hand to the planar support structure, preferably to a rear side (e.g. a rear reinforcement) of the support structure, and on the other hand to a retaining strap on the top. This embodiment combines the advantages of securing the watercraft in the receiving area to the rear and to the top.

It is particularly preferred if the transport and carrying device has two rear retaining straps which, in their fastened state, run laterally on both sides next to a central propulsion unit of the watercraft. The central propulsion unit can have, for example, an outboard motor, a ship's propeller or an outlet nozzle of a water jet propulsion system. These usually protrude beyond the rear of the hull of the watercraft. Securing the watercraft with rear retaining straps to the right and left of the central propulsion unit ensures additional lateral stabilization of the watercraft in the recording area. It is almost impossible for the watercraft to accidentally slip out of the recording area.

The detachable fastening of the retaining straps to at least one of the lateral floating bodies and/or the front connecting element and/or the flat support structure can be implemented in any desired manner. It is particularly advantageous if buckles, plug-in fasteners, snap-in fasteners or Velcro fasteners are provided for the detachable attachment of the retaining straps to at least one of the lateral floating bodies and/or the front connecting element and/or the flat support structure. These ensure that the straps are securely fastened and can also be released quickly and easily if necessary. A tether can be held in a buckle by means of a friction fit or by means of a form fit (e.g. with the aid of a mandrel). In the case of a buckle, the tether has a first (e.g. male) plug-in element at one end, which is attached to a second (e.g. female) plug-in element, e.g ) Plug-in element interacts. The two plug-in elements can be plugged into one another, so that resilient latching elements of the first plug-in element interact with indentations or recesses in the second latching element and fasten the tether in a detachable manner. The attachment can be released again by pressing on the latching elements so that they emerge from the indentations or recesses. In the case of a snap fastener, for example, the tether has a plurality of, for example, sawtooth-shaped snap-in elements at its end, which form a snap-in surface. The retaining strap is inserted with the locking elements into a locking receptacle which is attached to the at least one lateral floating body and/or the front connecting element and/or the flat support structure. In this manner, the latching surface engages with one or more corresponding latching elements recording engages and the tether is releasably attached. By actuating the snap-in receptacle, the snap-in elements can be freed from their mutual engagement and the tether can be released. In the case of a Velcro fastener, hooks and eyelets arranged over a large area on the retaining strap and on the at least one lateral floating body and/or the front connecting element and/or the flat support structure engage with one another. This leads to a stable mounting of the tether in the surface extension of the Velcro connection. To release the hook and loop fastener, the hooks and loops are simply released from one another in a direction transverse to the surface extent of the hook and loop fastener.

It is particularly preferred if the retaining straps are detachably attached to the at least one lateral floating body and/or the front connecting element and/or the flat support structure on both sides, i.e. on port and starboard. This allows the watercraft accommodated in the accommodation area to be secured from both sides and considerably simplifies the handling of the transport and carrying device.

In order to prevent the loosened straps from floating in the water in an uncontrolled manner and preventing a watercraft from being picked up in the receiving area of the transport and carrying device, e.g. because they conflict with the running propulsion unit of the watercraft, it is advantageous if the lateral floating bodies and/or on the rear side of the planar support structure there are arranged securing elements which are formed, the at least one rear retaining strap and/or the at least one upper retaining strap in its from the at least one lateral floating body and/or the front connecting element and/or the planar support structure maintain a relaxed state. In this way, the released tethers can be held safely and reliably in a rest position that does not impede the recording of the watercraft. In particular, it can be prevented in this way that the tethers get into a ship's propeller of the watercraft or are sucked in by a water jet propulsion system of the watercraft. In addition, after the watercraft has been picked up, the tethers can be quickly accessed at any time in order to secure the picked up watercraft in the pick-up area.

Finally, it is proposed that eyelets arranged on an upper side of the lateral floating bodies and/or the front connecting element be provided as lifting elements. The eyelets are preferably attached to particularly reinforced points of the transport and carrying device. They are preferably made of metal or a hard plastic. For example, a hook, in particular a snap hook, of an external lifting device can be detachably fastened in these eyelets. The eyelets can, for example, be designed as so-called D-rings. The transport and carrying device preferably has three lifting elements, two on the side of the floating bodies and one centrally on the front connecting element. A so-called painter line can be attached to the front lifting element in order - when using a rotating lifting device - to transport and carry the transport and carrying device with the watercraft accommodated therein after lifting by the lifting device onto the yacht, the boat, the quay wall, the pier or similar to swivel.

The proposed transport and carrying device is also ideal for storing the watercraft, for example on board a yacht or a boat. The device ensures a stable position of the watercraft on deck, especially when there are strong waves and/or wind. In addition, the lateral floating bodies and - if present - the front floating body form a reliable protection of the watercraft from damage and the people walking past from injury to the watercraft.

• 1 eine erfindungsgemäße Transport- und Tragevorrichtung gemäß einem ersten bevorzugten Ausführungsbeispiel in einer perspektivischen Ansicht von oben;
• 2 die Transport- und Tragevorrichtung aus 1 mit einem darin aufgenommenen Wasserfahrzeug;
• 3 ein Beispiel für eine Hubeinrichtung zum Anheben und Ablassen der Transport- und Tragevorrichtung;
• 4 ein weiteres Beispiel einer Hubeinrichtung mit daran befestigter Transport- und Tragevorrichtung;
• 5 eine erfindungsgemäße Transport- und Tragevorrichtung gemäß einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel in einer perspektivischen Ansicht von oben;
• 6 die Transport- und Tragevorrichtung aus 5 mit einem darin aufgenommenen Wasserfahrzeug;
• 7 die Transport- und Tragevorrichtung aus 6 in einer perspektivischen Ansicht von oben und vorne; und
• 8 die Transport- und Tragevorrichtung aus 5 in einer perspektivischen Ansicht von unten.

Further features and advantages of the present invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. It is noted that the features shown in the figures and/or described below can also be essential to the invention on their own, even if this is not expressly mentioned. Furthermore, it is emphasized that the features shown in the various figures can be combined with one another in any way, even if such a combination is not expressly mentioned. The figures show:

• 1 a transport and carrying device according to the invention according to a first preferred embodiment in a perspective view from above;
• 2 the transport and carrying device 1 with a watercraft accommodated therein;
• 3 an example of a lifting device for raising and lowering the transport and carrying device;
• 4 another example of a lifting device with attached transport and carrying device;
• 5 a transport and carrying device according to the invention according to a further embodiment in a perspective view from above;
• 6 the transport and carrying device 5 with a watercraft accommodated therein;
• 7 the transport and carrying device 6 in a perspective view from above and in front; and
• 8th the transport and carrying device 5 in a perspective view from below.

A transport and carrying device according to the invention according to a first embodiment is in the 1 and 2 shown and denoted by the reference numeral 2 in its entirety. The device 2 is used for transporting and carrying, in particular for slipping, a watercraft 4 (cf. 2 ). In the example shown, the vehicle 4 is designed as a Seabob@, as it is, for example, from FIG DE 10 2004 049 615 A1 is known. However, the vehicle 4 could also be in the form of any other type of watercraft, in particular for leisure purposes, for example as a jet ski, paddle boat, canoe or as a small motorboat, in particular a tender.

• - zwei in einem vorgegebenen Abstand zueinander beabstandete seitliche Schwimmkörper 6,
• - ein vorderes Verbindungselement 8, welches die beiden seitlichen Schwimmkörper 6 miteinander verbindet und in dem vorgegebenen Abstand zueinander hält,
• - eine flächige Stützstruktur 10, die seitlich an den seitlichen Schwimmkörpern 6 und vorzugsweise auch vorne an dem Verbindungselement 8 befestigt ist, wobei die Stützstruktur 10 Öffnungen aufweist, durch die Wasser treten kann,
• - einen Aufnahmebereich 12 für das Wasserfahrzeug 4, zwischen den seitlichen Schwimmkörpern 6 und dem vorderen Verbindungselement 8 und oberhalb der flächigen Stützstruktur 10,
• - Hubelemente 14, zur Befestigung der Transport- und Tragevorrichtung 2 an einer externen Hubeinrichtung (vgl. 3 und 4) und zum Anheben und Absenken der Transport- und Tragevorrichtung 2 mittels der Hubeinrichtung.

The device 2 includes:

• - two lateral floating bodies 6 spaced at a predetermined distance from one another,
• - a front connecting element 8, which connects the two lateral floating bodies 6 to one another and keeps them at the specified distance from one another,
• - a flat support structure 10, which is attached laterally to the lateral floating bodies 6 and preferably also to the front of the connecting element 8, the support structure 10 having openings through which water can pass,
• - a receiving area 12 for the watercraft 4, between the lateral floating bodies 6 and the front connecting element 8 and above the flat support structure 10,
• - Lifting elements 14 for attaching the transport and carrying device 2 to an external lifting device (cf. 3 and 4 ) and for raising and lowering the transport and carrying device 2 by means of the lifting device.

The buoyant lateral floats 6 ensure sufficient buoyancy so that the transport and carrying device 2 floats on the water. At least in a rear section 6a, the floating bodies 6 have a longitudinal extension parallel to a longitudinal axis 20 of the device 2 and parallel to one another. The longitudinal axis 20 preferably extends exactly between the rear sections 6a of the two floating bodies 6. The parallel rear sections 6a of the floating bodies 6 are followed by front sections 6b of the floating bodies 6, which converge towards the front connecting element 8. Starting from the rear sections 6a of the floating bodies 6, a distance between the two floating bodies 6 decreases continuously in the front sections 6b of the floating bodies 6 up to the front connecting element 8. An imaginary separation between the front and rear sections 6a, 6b of the floating bodies 6 is in 1 shown by a broken line 6c. The shape and arrangement of the floating bodies 6 depends on the shape and dimensions of the watercraft 4 that is to be accommodated in the accommodation area 12 . It would therefore be conceivable to offer different devices 2 with differently shaped and arranged floating bodies 6 for different watercraft 4 . In the example shown, the floating bodies 6 have a rectangular cross-section (with rounded corners). Of course, the cross section can also be arbitrarily different, for example oval or round. The floats 6 are preferably made of an inflatable material. A closable opening 16 is provided for inflating the floating body 6 . In the example shown, the floating bodies 6 consist of a so-called drop-stitch material.

When the device 2 is floating on the water surface, the planar support structure 10 is preferably at least partially under water, in particular along the longitudinal axis 20 of the device 2 . This makes it possible to simply drive into the receiving area 12 with the watercraft 4 that is in the water. The propulsion of the watercraft 4 can even be used, either due to momentum from a previous propulsion movement or due to activation of the motor drive of the watercraft 4. Even without using the propulsion of the watercraft 4, it can easily be moved into the receiving area 12 of the device 2 to be towed when floating on water. The flat support structure 10 is preferably designed to be flexible and can adapt to the shape of a hull of the watercraft 4 . At least on the underside of the hull, this ensures that the support structure 10 rests on the watercraft 4 over the entire surface. Forces occurring when transporting or carrying the watercraft 4 are thus distributed as evenly as possible over the entire underside of the hull and do not only act locally.

In the example shown, the flat support structure 10 is fixed to the lateral floating bodies 6 and the front connecting element 8 over the entire lateral and front extension takes. However, it would also be conceivable for the support structure 10 to be fastened to the floating bodies 6 only along its lateral extension. It would also be conceivable for the support structure 10 to be fastened to the lateral floating bodies 6 or the front connecting element 8 only at certain points or in sections. The planar support structure 10 can be reinforced by one or more support straps 18 . In the example, support straps 18 are provided along the back and in a central area, approximately at the transition between the rear section 6a and the front section 6b of the floating body 6 of the support structure 10. The support straps 18 reinforce the planar support structure 10.

The lifting elements 14 are designed, for example, as eyelets, D-rings or loops. An external lifting device 22 (cf. 3 and 4 ), which is attached to a yacht 24 or a boat, for example, can be connected to the lifting elements 14 of the transport and carrying device 2 (cf. 4 ). The lifting device 22 can be a slip device that is already present in the yacht 24 or the boat anyway. The slip device is a manual or electric motor operated crane or - as in the example shown - a manually (or electric motor) operated launching device (so-called davit). It would also be conceivable for the lifting device 22 not to be a slip device that is already provided in the yacht 24 or the boat, but rather a lifting device temporarily (during the slipping process) or permanently attached to the yacht 24 or the boat (cf. 3 ). If the lift 22 is permanently attached to the yacht 24 or boat, it is preferably foldable or stowable when not in use. If the lifting device 22 is only temporarily attached to the yacht 24 or the boat, it can e.g ) to be attached. However, it would also be conceivable to attach the lifting device 22 to or in the yacht 24 or the boat by means of an additional attachment device. This could be done, for example, by plugging, screwing, bracing, clamping or the like. To raise or lower the transport and carrying device 2 together with the watercraft 4 located in the receiving area 12, the lifting device 22 is actuated, for example manually or by an electric motor.

The lifting device 22 comprises an angled arm 26 which can be pivoted about a substantially vertical pivot axis 28 . The lifting device 22 can have guide elements or bushings 30 for a cable or cable 32 . In the example of 3 the lifting device 22 has a block and tackle 34 in order to reduce the force to be applied to lift the device 2. On a loose pulley 36 of the pulley 34, a hook 38 is attached to which a rope or cable 39 to the lifting elements 14 or a lifting element 14 can be hooked directly. Furthermore, the lifting device 22 has a device 40 for fixing the cable or rope 32. In the example of FIG 3 the device 40 is designed as a cleat. In 4 the device 40 is designed as a rope/rope clamp. Other configurations of the device 40 are also conceivable. The lifting device 22 off 3 shows an insertion socket 42, which is limited at the top by a collar 44 to the rest of the device 22. The socket 42 can be inserted into any receptacle on the yacht 24 or the boat, so that the lifting device 22 is held pivotably on the yacht 24 or the boat. The elevating device 22 is manually actuated after the rope or rope 32 has been released from the locking device 40 by pulling on the rope or rope 32 (to raise the device 2) or by releasing a grip on the rope or rope 32 (to lower the Device 2 by gravity). Alternatively, a motorized drive of the lifting device 22 would also be conceivable.

The eyelets, D-rings 14 are preferably made of metal or a hard plastic. For example, the hook 38, in particular a snap hook, of the external lifting device 22 can be detachably fastened in the lifting elements 14. The transport and carrying device 2 preferably has three lifting elements 14, two on the side of the floating bodies 6 and one centrally on the front connecting element 8 the vertical axis 28 pivotable lifting device 22 - to pivot the device 2 with the watercraft 4 accommodated therein after lifting by the lifting device 22 onto the yacht, the boat, the quay wall, the pier or the like.

When the watercraft 4 is lifted out of the water using the device 2 , excess water can flow off through openings in the planar support structure 10 without any problems. This has the advantage that the weight to be lifted is reduced and hardly any water can reach the deck of the yacht 24 or the boat. When the watercraft 4 is raised, the flat support structure 10 can bulge downwards under the weight of the watercraft 4, so that at least the underside of the watercraft 4 is accommodated in the trough. In this way, the watercraft 4 can be prevented from unintentionally slipping out of the receiving area 12 during transport and carrying. This applies to especially when the back of the planar support structure 10 has a reinforcement, for example in the form of a support belt 16, which is less stretchable than the remaining part of the planar support structure 10. In this case, the rear reinforcement (eg support belt 16) would then be arranged higher than the remaining planar support structure 10 and would effectively prevent the watercraft 4 from slipping out. Additional security can be gained by additional retaining elements, for example in the form of retaining straps, retaining nets or the like, which secure the watercraft 4 to the transport and carrying device 2 . The holding elements ensure that the watercraft 4 is held securely and reliably in the receiving area 12 of the device 2, even in rough seas or when the device 2 hits the yacht 24, the boat, a quay wall, a pier during transport or carrying a watercraft 4 or similar.

In the example shown, the transport and carrying device 2 comprises detachable holding elements in order to hold the watercraft 4 arranged in the receiving area 12 when the holding elements are closed. The holding elements preferably run on the sides of the receiving area 12 where there are no other limitations, for example in the form of the lateral floating bodies 6 and/or the front connecting element 8 and/or the flat support structure 10 . In this sense, it is advantageous if the retaining elements delimit the rear and/or the top of the receiving area 12 and, in the closed state, run along at least a part of the rear or the top of the watercraft 4 that is being carried (cf. 2 ). The holding elements can be designed, for example, as one or more holding straps, a holding net, a holding rod or the like.

The retaining elements are preferably releasably attached to the lateral floating bodies 6 and/or to the front connecting element 8 . The holding elements are preferably releasably fastened on both sides of the transport and carrying device 2, so that they can be closed and released from the starboard side and from the port side in the same way. This makes it easier for people on the yacht 24 or the boat to handle the proposed transport and carrying device 2 .

The planar support structure 10 can be, for example, a single web of material (water-permeable or provided with openings) or a network of belts, straps, bands or the like. The design of the flat support structure 10 depends on the type, size and weight of the watercraft 4 to be accommodated. The support structure 10 preferably comprises a mesh. The net can have a large number of straps, straps, bands or the like that are braided, linked and/or knotted together. The flat support structure 10 preferably consists of a plastic material that is particularly resistant to salt water, UV radiation, temperature fluctuations, etc. It would be conceivable, for example, to implement the support structure 10 as a polyester mesh, polyamide mesh, polypropylene mesh or the like.

Preferably, the front connecting element 8 - similar to the lateral floating body 6 - realized by a front floating body. The front floating body 8 can provide additional buoyancy, so that the side floating bodies 6 can possibly be designed with smaller dimensions or a smaller volume. The floating bodies 6, 8 can, for example, consist of a buoyant material (e.g. polystyrene) or a hollow body filled with air or a buoyant material. The floating bodies 6, 8 are particularly preferably made of a drop-stitch material. The front floating body 8 and the side floating bodies 6 are preferably formed in one piece as a common floating assembly. The floating bodies 6, 8 made of the flexible material, which surround the recorded watercraft 4 from at least three sides (right, left, front), act as fenders that prevent the watercraft 4 from hitting the hull or the structure of the yacht when being brought on board 24 or the boat and damage occurs.

The holding elements preferably comprise at least one, in the example shown two, rear holding straps 46 which delimit the receiving area 12 to the rear. When the watercraft 4 is arranged in the accommodation area 12, the rear retaining straps 46 run along at least part of the rear of the accommodated watercraft 4 and can be attached to at least one of the lateral floating bodies 6 and/or the front connecting element 8 and/or the planar support structure 10. This prevents the watercraft from unintentionally slipping backwards out of the receiving area.

In their fastened state, the two rear retaining straps 46 run on both sides to the side next to a central propulsion unit 48 of the watercraft 4. The central propulsion unit 48 can, for example, be an outboard motor, a ship's propeller or - as in the example shown - an outlet nozzle of a water jet propulsion system. These usually protrude beyond the rear of the hull of watercraft 4 . Securing the watercraft 4 with rear tethers 46 to the right and left of the central propulsion unit 48 provides additional lateral Stabilization of the watercraft 4 in the recording area 12.

Furthermore, the retaining elements preferably include at least one upper retaining strap 50 which, when the watercraft 4 is arranged in the receiving area 12 , runs along an upper side of the watercraft 4 and can be fastened to the two lateral floating bodies 6 . Of course, distributed along the longitudinal axis 20 , even more top-side tethers than the one top-side tether 50 can be provided. The top tether 50 delimits the receiving area 12 at the top and runs along at least part of the top of the received watercraft 4. In this way, the watercraft 4 is prevented from unintentionally jumping out of the receiving area 12 upwards.

The rear tethers 46 are preferably attached to the planar support structure 10 on the one hand, preferably to a rear side (e.g. a rear reinforcement 18) of the support structure 10, and to the upper tether 50 on the other hand. This embodiment combines the advantages of securing the watercraft 4 in the receiving area 12 to the rear and to the top. It is almost impossible for the watercraft 4 to unintentionally slip out of the receiving area 12 . By releasing the connections on both sides of the upper-side retaining strap 50 with the lateral floating bodies 6, both the upper-side retaining strap 50 and the rear-side retaining straps 46 can be pivoted downwards as a common retaining element from the rear of the receiving area 12 and release access to the receiving area 12.

The tethers may also include front tethers 52 which are attached to the side buoys 6, particularly to the front portions 6b of the buoys 6, and may be looped around and/or attached to grab handles 54 of the watercraft 4. Additional struts between the individual tethers 46, 50, 52 can provide additional dimensional stability and positional accuracy of the tethers 46, 50, 52 with respect to the watercraft 4 accommodated.

It is particularly preferred if the retaining straps 46, 50, 52 are attached to the at least one lateral floating body 6 and/or the front connecting element 8 and/or the flat support structure 10 in a directly or indirectly detachable manner on both sides, i.e. on port and starboard. This allows the watercraft 4 accommodated in the accommodation area 12 to be secured from both sides (starboard and port) and considerably simplifies the handling of the transport and carrying device 2 .

The detachable attachment of the straps 46, 50, 52 to at least one of the lateral floating bodies 6 and/or the front connecting element 8 and/or the planar support structure 10 can be implemented in any desired manner. It is particularly preferred if plug-in fasteners 56 are used for the detachable attachment of the retaining straps 46, 50, 52 to the lateral floating bodies 6. These ensure that the straps 46, 50, 52 are securely fastened and, on the other hand, can be released quickly and easily if required. A male buckle 56 has a first (e.g. male) male element attached to one end of the tether 46, 50, 52 and a second (e.g. female) male element attached to a lateral float 6, which cooperate. The two plug-in elements can be plugged into one another, so that resilient latching elements of the first plug-in element engage with indentations or recesses in the second plug-in element and fasten the tether 46, 50, 52 to the floating body 6 in a detachable manner. The attachment can be released again by pressing on the latching elements so that they emerge from the indentations or recesses.

In order to prevent the loosened rear and/or top retaining straps 46, 50 from floating in the water in an uncontrolled manner and preventing a watercraft 4 from being received in the receiving area 12 of the transport and carrying device 2, e.g. because they are in contact with the running propulsion unit 48 (or corresponding water intake openings on the underside) of the watercraft 4 come into conflict, it is advantageous if securing elements 58 (cf. 5 , 6 and 8th ) are arranged. These are designed to hold the at least one rear retaining strap 46 and/or the at least one upper retaining strap 50 in its released state from the at least one lateral floating body 6 . In this way, the released tethers 46, 50 can be held safely and reliably in a rest position, which does not impede the recording of the watercraft 4. In addition, the straps 46, 50 can be quickly grasped at any time after the watercraft 4 has been picked up, in order to secure the picked up watercraft 4 in the pick-up area 12. The securing elements 58 preferably each comprise a second (e.g. female) plug-in element of a plug-in closure 56, which is attached to a lateral floating body 6 and with which the first (e.g. male) plug-in element of the plug-in closure 56 attached to the retaining straps 46, 50 can engage .

The lifting elements 14 and/or the tethers 50, 52 are preferably arranged on an upper side of the lateral floating bodies 6. The lifting elements 14 and/or the straps 50, 52 and/or the securing elements 58 are preferably attached to particularly reinforced points 60 of the transport and carrying device 2.

That in the 5-8 shown embodiment of the transport and carrying device 2 according to the invention differs in some details from the first embodiment from the 1-3 . Those parts of the device 2 from the 5-8 , which are designed identically to those in the first embodiment, are no longer explained separately here. The following explanations are limited to the differences.

In the second exemplary embodiment, two upper retaining straps 50 are provided, which are connected via a common flat retaining element 64 . The flat retaining element 64 delimits the receiving area 12 at the top and comes to rest on the upper side of the watercraft when the watercraft 4 is received in the receiving area 12 . A central lifting element 14 is arranged approximately in the middle of the flat holding element 64 and is located approximately above a center of gravity of the device 2 and the watercraft 4 . In this case, practically the entire weight of the device 2 and—if present—of the watercraft 4 is absorbed by the central lifting element 14 . Another lifting element 14, in particular for attaching a so-called painter's line 62, is attached to the front of the front connecting element 8 (cf. 7 ). The rear retaining straps 46 are connected to one another on the upper side and are releasably connected to the flat retaining element 64 via a common plug-in fastener 56 . On one side of the flat holding element 64 , the upper holding straps 50 are each detachably connected to the flat holding element 64 by means of a plug-in fastener 56 . A handle 66 is arranged on the upper side of the front connecting element 8 .

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• DE 102004049615 A1 [0030]

Claims (15)

Transport and carrying device (2) for transporting and carrying a watercraft (4), characterized in that the device (2) comprises: - two lateral floating bodies (6) spaced at a predetermined distance from one another, - a front connecting element (8), which connects the two lateral floating bodies (6) to one another and keeps them at the specified distance from one another, - a flat support structure (10) which is fastened to the side of the lateral floating bodies (6) and preferably also to the front of the connecting element (8), the support structure (10) has openings through which water can pass, - a receiving area (12) for the watercraft (4), between the lateral floating bodies (6) and the front connecting element (8) and above the flat support structure (10), and - Lifting elements (14) for attaching the transport and carrying device (2) to an external lifting device (22) and for raising and lowering the transport and carrying device direction (2) by means of the lifting device (22). Transport and carrying device (2) after claim 1 , characterized in that the transport and carrying device (2) comprises detachable holding elements (46, 50, 52) for holding a watercraft (4) arranged in the receiving area (12) when the holding elements (46, 50, 52) are closed are. Transport and carrying device (2) after claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the lateral floating bodies (6) are aligned parallel to one another at least in sections. Transport and carrying device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front connecting element (8) is arranged on a front side of the transport and carrying device (2) and runs transversely to the lateral floating bodies (6). Transport and carrying device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front connecting element (8) is realized by a front floating body. Transport and carrying device (2) after claim 5 , characterized in that the front floating body (8) and the side floating body (6) are integrally formed as a common floating assembly. Transport and carrying device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lateral floating bodies (6) and/or the front floating bodies (8) are inflatable. Transport and carrying device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supporting structure (10) comprises a net. Transport and carrying device (2) according to one of claims 2 until 8th , characterized in that the retaining elements (46, 50, 52) comprise at least one rear retaining strap (46) which, when the watercraft (4) is arranged in the receiving area (12), extends along a part directed towards the rear of the transport and carrying device (2). of the watercraft (4) and can be fastened to at least one of the lateral floating bodies (6) and/or the front connecting element (8) and/or the flat support structure (10). Transport and carrying device (2) according to one of claims 2 until 9 , characterized in that the retaining elements (46, 50, 52) comprise at least one upper retaining strap (50) which, when the watercraft (4) is arranged in the receiving area (12), runs along an upper side of the watercraft (4) and on the two lateral Floating bodies (6) can be fastened. Transport and carrying device (2) after claim 9 and 10 , characterized in that the at least one rear retaining strap (46) can be fastened to the flat support structure (10) on the one hand and to a retaining strap (50) on the other hand. Transport and carrying device (2) after claim 11 , characterized in that the transport and carrying device (2) has two rear retaining straps (46) which, in their fastened state, run laterally on both sides next to a central propulsion unit (48) of the watercraft (4). Transport and carrying device (2) according to one of claims 9 until 12 , characterized in that for the detachable attachment of the retaining straps (46, 50) to at least one of the lateral floating bodies (6) and/or the front connecting element (8) and/or the flat support structure (10), buckles, plug-in fasteners (56), snap-in fasteners or Velcro fasteners are provided. Transport and carrying device (2) according to one of claims 9 until 13 , characterized in that at a rear end of the lateral floating bodies (6) and/or on a rear side of the planar support structure (10) there are securing elements (58) which are designed to hold the at least one rear retaining strap (46) and/or the at least one upper retaining strap (50) in its from the at least one lateral floating body (6) and/or the front connecting element (8) and/or the flat support structure (10) to keep it in a detached state. Transport and carrying device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that eyelets arranged as lifting elements (14) on an upper side of the lateral floating bodies (6) and/or the front connecting element (8) are provided.

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