WO2023197035A1

WO2023197035A1 - Adjustable rail support system

Info

Publication number: WO2023197035A1
Application number: PCT/AU2023/050295
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christopher Ross Pratt; Steven Pugh
Original assignee: Railblaza Limited
Priority date: 2022-04-12
Filing date: 2023-04-11
Publication date: 2023-10-19

Abstract

An adjustable rail support system provides a chassis assembly for securing a hull during transport that is adaptable to differently dimensioned hulls and allows ready adjustment to support different width watercraft hulls with enhanced stability while allowing ready storage and transport in a compact shape. A chassis assembly includes opposed adjustable scissor arms each with a rigid clamping contour proximate an end to receive a corresponding removable support plate with a contour clamp profile allowing a clamping engagement and removal. Additional locking engagement profiles on paired support plates and rail members provide for relative width positioning of the rail members on the support plates.

Description

ADJUSTABLE RAIL SUPPORT SYSTEM

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[001] This application relates to and claims priority from US Provisional Ser. No. 63/330,160 filed April 12, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[002] This application relates to, but does not claim priority from US Design Ser. No.: 29/834,304 filed April 11, 2022 and US Design Ser. No.: 29/834,314 filed April 11, 2022.

FIGURE SELECTED FOR PUBLICATION

[003] Fig. 2

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

[004] The present adjustable rail support system provides a chassis assembly for securing a hull during transport that is adaptable to differently dimensioned hulls. More specifically, the present adjustable rail support system provides an adjustable width hull support with enhanced stability while allowing ready storage in compact form and transport in a compact shape.

Description of the Related Art

[005] The related art recognizes prior adjustable hull supports for transporting watercraft such as canoes, kayaks, and paddle boards with human strength. These include rolling platforms with wheels and support elements to attempt to secure the hulls of the watercraft. [006] Unfortunately, the related art structures suffer from a number of detriments including, but not limited to, the inability to rapidly adjust to differing size hulls, the difficulty in breaking down into smaller transport or storage sizes, and an instability and weakness in supporting the often heavy and awkwardly shaped watercraft for transport across uneven surfaces. The present invention attempts to address at least one of the above noted detriments.

ASPECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[007] According to one alternative aspect of the present invention there is provided an adjustable rail support system for a chassis assembly for securing a hull during transport that is adaptable to different dimensioned hulls and allows ready adjustment to support different width watercraft hulls with enhanced stability while allowing ready storage and transport in a compact shape. A chassis assembly includes opposed adjustable scissor arms each with a rigid clamping contour proximate an end to receive a corresponding removable support plate with a contour clamp profile allowing a clamping engagement and removal. Additional locking engagement profiles on paired support plates and rail members provide for relative width positioning of the rail members on the support plate.

[008] According to another alternative aspect of the present invention there is provided an adjustable rail system for a transport device, comprising a first support plate spaced from a second support plate each at respective ends of respective first and second scissor arms of a chassis assembly of the transport device, each of the support plates including an extending engagement profile extending away from respective ends of the first and second scissor arms, each of the support plates being pivotably and removably secured to respective ends of respective the scissor arms, a first rail member on the first support plate, a second rail member on the second support plate, each rail member including a receiving engagement profile shaped complementary to respective extending engagement profiles of each the support plate forming an engaged arrangement upon an assembly, a protruding edge on each of the first and the second support plate, at least one locking member extending from each respective first and the second rail member and releasably engaging with a respective protruding edge to cooperatively and releasably secure each support plate to each respective rail member allowing for relative adjustment.

[009] According to another alternative aspect of the present invention there is provided an adjustable rail system for a transport device, further comprising at least one strap cleat on the end of each the respective scissor arm, and the at least one strap cleat extending away from a pivot axis of the respective scissor arm.

[0010] According to another alternative aspect of the present invention there is provided an adjustable rail system for a transport device, further comprising at least one support plate second strap cleat on each of the first and the second support plate, and each support plate second strap cleat proximate a respective strap cleat on each the end of the respective scissor arm.

[0011] According to another alternative aspect of the present invention there is provided an adjustable rail system for a transport device, further comprising at least one slip resistant member on an outer contact surface of each the rail member, and the at least one slip resistant member being elastomeric.

[0012] According to another alternative aspect of the present invention there is provided an adjustable rail system for a transport device, wherein the extending engagement profile of each support plate extends in a first length that is greater than a second length of the receiving engagement profile of the respective rail member, and wherein the respective rail member is adjustably positionable along the first length of the extending engaging profile of each support plate adjusting a relative position therebetween. [0013] According to another alternative aspect of the present invention there is provided an adjustable rail system for a transport device, further comprising at least one securing strap member securable through each respective strap cleat opening on respective ends of the scissor arms and each support plate strap cleat opening on respective the support plates during the assembly.

[0014] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate the same elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an assembled adjustable rail support system on a chassis assembly illustrating a general watercraft hull positioning location for support.

[0016] Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the assembly noted in Fig. 1.

[0017] Fig. 3 A is a perspective exploded view of one scissor arm, a support plate, and a rail member.

[0018] Fig. 3B is a bottom perspective view of the rail member in Fig. 3A noting the rail engagement profile for engaging with the locking engagement profile on the support plate in Fig. 3A during use.

[0019] Fig. 4 is a perspective assembled view of the scissor arms and respective sets of support plates in a clamped-on pivot position engaging the clamping contour profile. [0020] Fig. 5 is the perspective view of Fig. 4 now engaged with the rail members shown.

[0021] Fig. 6 is a sectional view along the section line 6-6 in Fig. 5 noting the clamping contour profile of the scissor arm ends, the contour clamp profile of the support plate, and the engagement profiles of the support plates and rail members providing adjustment, and further illustrating strap engagement cleat elements. The scissor arm pivot adjustment and the support plate pivot clamping motions are also noted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention. Wherever possible, same or similar reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps. The drawings are in simplified form and are not to precise scale. The word ‘couple’ and similar terms do not necessarily denote direct and immediate connections, but also include connections through intermediate elements or devices. For purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional (up/down, etc.) or motional (forward/back, etc.) terms may be used with respect to the drawings. These and similar directional terms should not be construed to limit the scope in any manner. It will also be understood that other embodiments may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention, and that the detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and that elements may be differently positioned, or otherwise noted as in the appended claims without requirements of the written description being required thereto.

[0023] Various operations may be described as multiple discrete operations in turn, in a manner that may be helpful in understanding embodiments of the present invention; however, the order of description should not be construed to imply that these operations are order dependent.

[0024] As discussed herein there are a number of shapes and contours and forms or elements, including but not limited to the rail support system, rail members, support plates, clamping contours, strap cleats/strap cleat openings, wheels, rail engagement profiles and locking engagement profiles that have a function as discussed herein which alternatively may be accomplished by other shapes and other forms without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention or restraining the disclosure to any particular shape or form. For example, the wheels may be of different form, different treads while still providing a rotating- support-function and are not limited to the shapes or forms shown. Or for example, the locking engagement profiles (shown as pyramidal teeth for extending engagement profiles/receiving engagement profiles) may be steps, or undulating contours, or complementary pegged elements or may have different profiles and shapes while still operating to ‘engage’ and resist displacement under joining pressure, to secure the adjustment position and to secure ultimately the hull as noted herein. Similarly, the rail members or support plates may be of different profiles or slip resistant members may be of other shapes or profiles while still functioning as intended herein. For example, the rail members may have a chamfered or fully round profile and still function, and the support plate needs to engage the clamping contour on the scissor arms but may be of any total shape to do so while still allowing a lift-off removal and a press-engagement clamping and supporting an engagement profile. As a result, those of skill in this art having full appreciated this disclosure will recognize that the shapes and contours and forms or elements herein are not limited to the illustrated shapes in the figures but will understand that alternative shapes may be used to accomplish the same uses herein without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0025] Referring now to Figs. 1 through 6, a transport device 1 includes a chassis assembly 10 supporting an adjustable or adjustment rail support system 100. The chassis assembly 10 includes two opposed formed scissor arms 11 A, 11B that are releasably retained relative to a scissor arm pivot axis 12, which allows for relative scissor adjustment and repositioning of respective scissor arms 11 A, 11B during assembly, transport and disassembly.

[0026] Respective scissor arms include respectively ones of axels 13 A, 13B with respective pivoting axel locks 14 A, 14B preventing the unintended removal of respective wheels 15 A, 15B. A restraining and pivoting support leg stand 16 having a pivot restraint portion 16A is retained between openings in scissor arms 11 A, 1 IB and secures their pivoting engagement and locks in twisting providing a securing of the scissor angle between arms 11 A, 11B, while stabilizing transport device 1 when joined with an external hull 500 of an exemplary watercraft such as a kayak, canoe, or paddle board, as shown in respective Figs. 1 and Fig 6.

[0027] Each respective scissor arm HA, 11B ends with an arcuate clamping contour 17 A, 17B defining an internal clamping contour pivot axis opening 18 A, 18B and an extending support surface 19 A, 19B for supporting a support plate as will be described. Extending from each respective extending support surface 19 A, 19B is a strap cleat opening 20 A, 20B for engaging with a flexible strap member 21 as will be discussed, so as to secure hull 500 to the rail adjustment system 100.

[0028] Rail adjustment system 100 further includes a pair of opposed support plate elements 101A, 101B, each with a respective locking engaging profile 102A, 102B and a contour clamp profile 103A, 103B formed to fit within and around clamping contours 17A, 17B and engage with clamping contour pivot axis openings 18 A, 18B in a lift-off/rotate-onward manner (see Figs. 4 and 6) so an extending platform 104A, 104B on each support plate element 101 A, 101B is received on each respective extending support surface 19 A, 19B.

[0029] Each extending platform 104A, 104B further includes a support plate strap cleat opening 105 A, 105B that is positioned proximate and above respective strap cleat openings 20A, 20B for receiving a portion of strap member 21 during an engagement such that strap member 21 is positioned through respective cleat openings 20A/105A and 20B/105B and about hull 500 during use to clamp hull 500 onto the adjustment rail support system.

[0030] Each support plate 101A, 101B further includes an upward extending engagement profile 110A, HOB and a proximate protruding edge 112A, 112B for engaging with respective rail members as will be discussed. Adjustment rail support system 100 further includes first and second rail members 111 A, 11 IB having upward hull contact surface or support surfaces 113A, 113B with one or more slip resistant members 114A, 114B for slip engagement with a respective surface of hull 500 during a use. Each slip resistant member 114A, 114B may have any convenient shape, round, profile, effective to contact hull 500 and minimize slip therebetween. Each slip resistant member 114A, 114B is preferably elastomeric and more preferably be a silicone elastomer.

[0031] Each rail member 111 A, 11 IB includes a receiving profile (shown) shaped to complement respective support plates 101A, 101B, and having one or more downwardly facing rail engagement profiles 115 A, 115B having a complementary engaging fitment with an upwardly extending engagement profiles 110A, HOB during assembly. Proximate respective rail engagement profiles 115 A, 115B are adjustable and releasable locking members 116A, 116B having a shape the extend below and engage respective protruding edges 112A, 112B of each respective support plate 101 A, 101B and secure each rail member 111 A, 11 IB to each respective support plate 101A, 101B during an assembly. In one preferred embodiment, respective locking members 116A, 116B are threadably secured within respective rail members 111 A, 11 IB allowing easy loosening and retightening, but the invention is not so limited and any suitable profile shape, cam arrangement, friction fit, lever or latch etc. may be used to provide such engagement. [0032] As noted herein, see Example Fig. 3A or 6, the upwardly extending engagement profiles 110A, HOB of respective support plates 101 A, 101B are more extensive than those of the downwardly extending rail engagement profiles 115A, 15B allowing respective repositioning of each rail member 111A, 11 IB relative to each respective support plate 101 A, 10 IB so as to set a distance therebetween to adapt to a configuration of hull 500. For example, in Fig. 6, rail members 111A, 11 IB are set at the outermost limits and scissor arms 11A, 11B are at their widest adjustment, so as to combine and accept the widest available configuration of hull 500. For narrower contours for hull 500 rail members 111 A, 11 IB may be adjusted along their profiles and secured by locking members 116A, 116B or further scissor arms 11A, 11B may be further adjusted in additional compensation.

[0033] As a result, there is an adjustable rail transport system 100 for transport device 1 having a chassis assembly 10.

[0034] Those of skill in the art will further appreciate that transport device 1 and adjustable rail transport system 100 may be separated into their component parts for small storage and packaging while being easily assembled in a secure arrangement. Those of skill in the art will also recognize that due to the dual strap cleats 20A, 20B and strap second cleats 105 A, 105B and the extending platforms 104A, 104B as strap 21 is tightened about hull 500 the entire assembly further tightens and eliminates pivot removal of respective support plates 101 A, 101B from the clamping contours 17A, 17B of scissor arms 11 A, 11B.

[0035] Those of skill in the art will further appreciate that the operational aspects noted herein may be accomplished by additional and different shapes or curves while achieving similar results. For example, respective support plates 101 A, 10 IB and rail members 111 A, 11 IB may have different shapes while engaging with differently shaped clamping contours 17A, 17B. For example, support plates 101A, 1O1B may be ovoidal or extend longitudinally and rail members 111A, 11 IB may have non-U-shaped profiles while still being adjustable and supporting respective hulls 500.

[0036] Also, the inventors intend that only those claims which use the words "means for" are intended to be interpreted under 35 USC 112. Moreover, no limitations from the specification are intended to be read into any claims, unless those limitations are expressly included in the claims.

[0037] Where a specific numerical value is mentioned herein, it should be considered that the value may be increased or decreased by 20%, while still staying within the teachings of the present application, unless some different range is specifically mentioned. Where a specified logical sense is used, the opposite logical sense is also intended to be encompassed.

[0038] Having described at least one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be apparent to those skills that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various modifications and variations can be made in the presently disclosed system without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure cover modifications and variations of this disclosure provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An adjustable rail system for a transport device, comprising: a first support plate spaced from a second support plate each at respective ends of respective first and second scissor arms of a chassis assembly of said transport device; each said support plate including an extending engagement profile extending away from respective said ends of said first and second scissor arms; each said support plate being pivotably and removably secured to respective said ends of respective said scissor arms; a first rail member on said first support plate; a second rail member on said second support plate; each said rail member including a receiving engagement profile complementary to respective said extending engagement profiles of each said support plate forming an engaged arrangement upon an assembly; a protruding edge on each said first and said second support plate; at least one locking member extending from each respective said first and said second rail member and releasably engaging with a respective said protruding edge to cooperatively and releasably secure each said support plate to each respective said rail member allowing for relative adjustment.

2. The adjustable rail system, according to claim 1, further comprising: at least one strap cleat on said end of each said respective first and second scissor arm; and said at least one strap cleat extending away from a pivot axis of said respective first and second scissor arms.

3. The adjustable rail system, according to claim 2, further comprising; at least one support plate second strap cleat on each said first and said second support plate; and each said support plate second strap cleat proximate respective said strap cleat on each said end of said respective scissor arm.

4. The adjustable rail system, according to claim 3, further comprising: at least one slip resistant member on an outer contact surface of each said rail member; and said at least one slip resistant member being elastomeric.

5. The adjustable rail system, according to claim 4, wherein: said extending engagement profile of each said support plate extends in a first length that is greater then a second length of said receiving engagement profile of said respective rail member; and wherein each said respective rail member is adjustably positionable along the first length of said extending engaging profile of each said support plate thereby adjusting a relative position therebetween.

6. The adjustable rail system, according to claim 5, further comprising: at least one securing strap member securable through each respective said strap cleat opening on respective ends of said first and said second scissor arms and each said support plate second strap cleat opening on respective said first and said second support plates during said assembly.