EP1266822A1

EP1266822A1 - Boat supporting structure

Info

Publication number: EP1266822A1
Application number: EP02425383A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Carlo Zizioli; Paolo Vielmo
Original assignee: Lmp Sas Di Giotto Vittorio & C Lavarazioni Meccaniche Prealpine
Current assignee: Lmp Sas Di Giotto Vittorio & C Lavarazioni Meccaniche Prealpine
Priority date: 2001-06-12
Filing date: 2002-06-12
Publication date: 2002-12-18
Also published as: ITRM20010333A1; ITRM20010333A0

Abstract

A boat supporting structure comprises one or more pairs of sustaining elements, each of said sustaining elements being able to be positioned underneath of a hull of a boat, in such a way as to provide a support to said boat when it is ashore, said structure being characterised in that it further comprises means for connecting said sustaining elements, able to prevent them from moving away from each other during use.

Description

The present invention relates to a support structure to be used to sustain a boat when said boat is ashore.
It is well known that, with some exceptions, every boat has a bottom whose cross section is shaped as a more or less deep V.
Said shape, necessary and advantageous when underway, becomes a cause of difficulties when the boat needs to be brought ashore, for instance to be subjected to maintenance operations.
On such occasions, the boat cannot be directly set down on the ground because, due to the reduced bearing surface of the keel, it would be in an unstable condition.
To overcome said drawback, the boat is set down on specifically prepared ways, whose shape is complementary to that of the hull of the boat itself.
However, this solution has some drawbacks.
In the first place, it is necessary to have specific ways available for each boat. Otherwise, since not all boats have the same hull shape, the same ways could not be effectively used to support different boats.
Moreover, it is necessary to have available ways of every measure to accommodate boats of different sizes.
An additional drawback is also linked to the fact that ways are normally very large and heavy structures, thus bulky and difficult to store.
Alternatively, supports for boats are also known, similar to stands, to be positioned under the hull in predetermined positions, so that the boat bears for instance on four or more of said supports.
This solution solves the problem linked to the need to provide different supports for different boats since the supports are adjustable and can be adapted to different types of boats, however such supports have the drawback of not being completely secure in their support to the boat.
Especially in the case of particularly large and heavy boats, there is always the possibility that one or more of said supports may escape from its position and hence cause the fall of the boat with easily imagined consequences.
The aim of the present invention is to solve the aforesaid problems of the prior art, providing a support structure for boats that comprises one or more pairs of sustaining elements, each of said sustaining elements being apt to be positioned underneath a hull of a boat, so that to provide a support to said boat when it is ashore, said structure being characterised in that it further comprises means for connecting said sustaining elements, apt to prevent them from moving away from each other during use.
The main advantage of the structure according to the present invention is provided by the fact that, since the structure is completely adjustable, it can be simply adapted to any hull shape.
A second advantage is given by the fact that the structure assures that the support is absolutely secure, because it is provided with securing elements able to prevent the sustaining elements from accidentally escaping their pre-set position.
Further advantages, characteristics and modes of use of the present invention shall become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, presented by way of examples and without limitative purposes, with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which:
figure 1 is a perspective view of a prior art boat support;
figure 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a boat supporting structure according to the present invention;
figure 3 is a perspective view of a first boat sustaining element according to the present invention;
figure 4 is a lateral view of a second boat sustaining element according to the present invention;
figure 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a boat supporting structure according to the present invention; and
figure 6 is a lateral view of a third boat sustaining element according to the present invention.
With reference to figure 1, said figure shows an example of prior art boat support 1.
Because of the V shape of the hull 2 of a boat, the force exerted by the weight of the boat on the support 1 naturally tends to make the support itself escape from its initial position, consequently causing the boat to fall. For this reason, it normally becomes necessary to provide additional supports 3, for instance under the keel of the hull, to prevent a ruinous fall should the supports lose contact with the hull.
The subsequent figure 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a boat supporting structure 10 according to the present invention.
Two pairs of sustaining elements 11, 12 and 13, 14 are respectively positioned so as to be able to receive the hull of a boat.
As shall be better explained hereafter, each of the sustaining elements is completely adjustable and can easily be adapted to each specific hull shape.
The structure 10 comprises connecting means apt to connect the sustaining elements 11, 12 and 13, 14.
In particular, for each pair, corresponding transversal junction elements 15, 16 are provided, each being apt to connect the sustaining elements belonging to the pair itself.
Each of said transversal elements 15, 16 is adjustable in length, in such a way as to allow the positioning of the sustaining elements at a pre-determined mutual distance.
According to a preferred embodiment said transversal junction elements are made in the form of telescopic bars apt to be locked in pre-defined positions, for instance by means of gudgeon pins to be inserted into respective holes.
Two longitudinal junction elements 17, 18 are instead respectively positioned so as to rigidly connect two sustaining elements belonging to different pairs, for instance the element 11 with the element 13, as well as the element 12 with the element 14.
The sustaining elements are connected to the longitudinal junction elements in an adjustable manner, so as to be able to be positioned at the prescribed distance from each other.
Also provided is a locking system apt to prevent any additional sliding of the sustaining elements during use, for instance by means of the insertion of securing gudgeon pins in corresponding holes provided on the junction elements themselves.
Moreover, the structure 10 provides, for its two pairs of sustaining elements 11, 12 and 13, 14, corresponding holding elements 19, 20, apt to sustain part of the weight of the boat.
The holding elements 19, 20 are provided in the form of belts made of traction-resistant fabric, so as to easily adapt to the specific shape of the hull.
The holding elements 19, 20 mutually connect the upper part of the corresponding sustaining elements whereto they are anchored, preventing them from moving away by action of the force exerted by the weight of the hull.
A known lifting device 21 can advantageously be used to raise the boat and lay it onto the structure 10 after adjusting said structure according to the dimensions of the hull.
The subsequent figure 3 shows a detail of the first embodiment of the structure according to the present invention, in particular a first sustaining element 11.
The sustaining element 11 comprises a bearing base 31, an adjustable frame 32 and a support 33.
Said support 33 is hinged to the frame 32, in such a way as to be able to vary its inclination, the better to adapt itself to the shape of the hull 2.
The holding element 19 can advantageously be connected in correspondence with the upper end of the sustaining element 11 by means of an adjustable locking element 35 to allow the correct tensioning of the holding element.
Figure 4 shows a second sustaining element 40 according to the present invention.
The sustaining element 40 comprises a bearing base 41, a frame 42, a support 43 and a locking element 35 of a holding element 19.
According to this embodiment of the sustaining element, the frame 42 provides a greater possibility of additional adjustment relative to the first embodiment.
In particular, the load-bearing element 44 of the frame is hinged, so as to be able to rotate relative to the base 41, on a pin 45. In this way the sustaining element assumes an inclined position in such a way as to contrast even more effectively the force exerted by the weight of the hull.
Said adjustment is effected by acting on a screw device 46, connected between the base 41 and the load-bearing element 44.
Alternatively to the first embodiment, the transversal junction elements are in this case constituted by a belt 47 made of traction-resistant fabric, anchored by means of hooks 48 appropriately provided on the frame 42 of each sustaining element.
The subsequent figure 5 shows a second embodiment of a support structure according to the present invention obtained with a combination of sustaining elements according to the present invention.
For the sake of descriptive simplicity, hereafter all the components of the supporting structure and of the respective sustaining elements that are identical or equivalent to those already described in relation to the previous embodiments will not be described in detail, naturally meaning that said components may also be present in other embodiments, without thereby changing the concept constituting the basis for the invention.
In particular, a structure 50 comprises two or more pairs of sustaining elements 51, preferably connected to each other by mutual connection means 52, 53, 54.
In particular, said connection means comprise a plurality of transversal junction elements 52, for instance one in correspondence with each pair of sustaining elements and two or more longitudinal junction elements 53 that complete the structure.
As described above, all junction elements, both the transversal ones and the longitudinal ones, are preferably adjustable in length, for instance by means of telescopic mechanisms, in order to perfectly adapt the dimensions of the structure to those of the boat to be supported.
Moreover, said connecting means further comprise one or more tie rods 54, each connected between sustaining elements belonging to a same pair, so as to further stiffen the structure and maintain in position the sustaining elements when they are under the weight of the boat.
The tie rods 54 can for instance be embodied by steel cables tensioned by respective tensioning devices 55, for instance of the screw type, or be embodied by metallic bars whose length can be adjusted acting on said screw tensioning devices.
Figure 6 is a view of one of the sustaining elements according to said third embodiment of the present invention.
In particular, a sustaining element 51 comprises an additional reinforcing strut 56, particularly useful to support lateral loads, for instance due to wind gusts.
The strut 56 is connected in an articulated way to the load-bearing element 57, by means of bars 58 hinged to both ends and preferably of adjustable length.
Moreover, the reinforcing strut 56 itself has adjustable length.
It will thereby be possible globally to make the supporting structure assume the desired position, by positioning its various elements in the optimal manner with respect to the load to be borne.
An additional advantage of a structure according to the present invention is given by the fact that all sustaining elements are positioned and connected to a base frame constituted by the described longitudinal and transversal junction elements.
This allows to mount the structure even on flatbeds of vehicles, for instance a lorry or a truck and trailer, to transport a boat from one place to another in a fully safe manner.
The present invention has been described according to preferred embodiments thereof, presented by way examples and without limitative purposes.
It is understood that other embodiments can be provided, all falling within the scope of protection of the invention, as defined by the accompanying claims.

Claims

Boat supporting structure (10; 50) comprising one or more pairs of sustaining elements (11, 12, 13, 14; 40; 51), each of said sustaining elements being apt to be positioned underneath a hull (2) of a boat, so as to provide a support to said boat when the boat is ashore, said structure (10; 50) being characterised in that it further comprises means (15, 16, 17, 18; 52, 53, 54) for connecting said sustaining elements, apt to prevent them from moving away from each other during use.
Boat supporting structure according to claim 1, wherein said connecting means comprise one or more transversal junction elements (15, 16; 52), each of said elements being apt to connect a sustaining element with another sustaining element belonging to a same pair.
Boat supporting structure according to claim 2, wherein each of said transversal junction elements (15, 16; 52) has adjustable length.
Boat supporting structure according to claim 3, wherein each of said transversal junction elements (15, 16; 52) is obtained by means of telescopic bars.
Boat supporting structure according to anyone of the previous claims, wherein said connecting means further comprise one or more longitudinal junction elements (17, 18; 53), each of said elements being apt to connect a sustaining element with a respective additional sustaining element belonging to distinct pairs.
Boat supporting structure according to claim 5, wherein each of said longitudinal junction elements (17, 18; 53) is apt to adjustably connect said sustaining elements.
Boat supporting structure according to claim 5 or 6, wherein each of said longitudinal junction elements (17, 18; 53) comprises means for locking said sustaining elements in pre-determined positions.
Boat supporting structure according to anyone of the previous claims, further comprising one or more tie rods (54), each of said tie rods (54) being apt to connect a sustaining element with another sustaining element belonging to a same pair.
Boat supporting structure according to claim 8, wherein each of said tie rods (54) comprises a tensioning device (55).
Boat supporting structure according to claim 9, wherein said tensioning device (55) is of the screw type.
Boat supporting according to anyone of the previous claims, further comprises one or more holding elements (19, 20; 60), each of said one or more holding elements being removably connected to two respective support elements, and being apt to support part of the weight of said boat.
Boat supporting structure according to claim 11, wherein each of said one or more holding elements (19, 20; 60) is realised by means of a belt made of traction-resistant fabric, apt to be tensioned by corresponding adjusting means.
Boat sustaining element (11, 12, 13, 14; 40; 51), to be used in a structure (10; 50) as claimed in anyone of the claims 1 to 12, comprising a support base (31; 41; 61), an adjustable frame (32, 42; 62) and a support (33), said sustaining element being characterised in that it comprises means for anchoring a holding element (19; 20; 60), said holding element being apt to support a part of the weight of a boat (2).
Boat sustaining element according to claim 13, wherein said adjustable frame (42; 62) comprises a load-bearing element (44; 57) apt to rotate relative to said support base (41; 61).
Boat sustaining element according to claim 14, further comprising a screw element (46), connected between said support base (41) and said load-bearing element (44), apt to adjust the inclination of said load-bearing element (44) relative to said base (41).
Boat sustaining element according to claim 14, further comprising a reinforcing strut (56) connected in articulated way to said load-bearing element (57).
Boat sustaining element according to claim 16, wherein said reinforcing strut (56) is connected by means of one or more bars (58) hinged at its ends.
Boat sustaining element according to claim 17, wherein said bars (58) have adjustable length.
Boat sustaining element according to anyone of the claims 16 to 18, wherein said reinforcing strut (56) has adjustable length.