초록 ▼

The present invention is directed to an apparatus for supporting the hull of a watercraft using a flexible bunk beam and a convex cushion attached to the beam using locking elements. The beam has a longitudinal recess with a narrow upper neck portion and a larger lower anchor portion, and the cushio

The present invention is directed to an apparatus for supporting the hull of a watercraft using a flexible bunk beam and a convex cushion attached to the beam using locking elements. The beam has a longitudinal recess with a narrow upper neck portion and a larger lower anchor portion, and the cushion has an elongated cushion locking member lockably insertable into the recess. The cushion locking member has a narrow upper neck portion and a larger lower portion sized to snuggly fit within the recess. The cushion includes internal voids and walls. The beam includes sidewalls with bores forming bearing surfaces.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A bunk beam and bunk cushion assembly for supporting a watercraft having a hull, comprising:a bunk beam having a plurality of first locking elements disposed on an attachment surface, the bunk beam having sufficient stiffness to support a portion of the weight of the watercraft transmitted throug

1. A bunk beam and bunk cushion assembly for supporting a watercraft having a hull, comprising:a bunk beam having a plurality of first locking elements disposed on an attachment surface, the bunk beam having sufficient stiffness to support a portion of the weight of the watercraft transmitted through the bunk beam without permanent deformation but being yieldable to at least partially conform to the shape of the watercraft hull under the portion of the weight of the watercraft supported thereby; anda bunk cushion supported by the bunk beam, the bunk cushion having a watercraft support surface engageable with the watercraft hull and a plurality of second locking elements disposed on a lower surface of the cushion, the plurality of second locking elements being configured to lockably engage the first locking elements to maintain the bunk cushion in position on and attached to the bunk beam such that during use the bunk cushion engages the watercraft hull and supports the portion of the weight of the watercraft supported by the bunk beam. 2. The assembly according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of first locking elements comprise a plurality of recesses, and the plurality of second locking elements comprise a corresponding plurality of members configured to extend outwardly from the bunk cushion and into the recesses to hold the bunk cushion in position on and attached to the bunk beam. 3. The assembly according to claim 1 wherein the bunk beam attachment surface includes a cushion support surface portion configured to support the cushion lower surface and the plurality of first locking elements include a longitudinally extending central recess in the bunk beam projecting away from the cushion support surface, the recess having a neck portion toward the cushion support surface and an anchor portion positioned away from the cushion support surface, the recess anchor portion having a width greater than the recess neck portion, and wherein the second plurality of locking elements include a longitudinally extending central locking member projecting away from the cushion lower surface and into the recess, the central locking member having a neck portion toward the cushion lower surface and a lock portion positioned away from the cushion lower surface, the cushion neck portion having a width sized to fit within the recess neck portion and the cushion lock portion having a width sized to lockably fit within the recess anchor portion, the cushion lock portion width being greater than the recess neck portion but having sufficient compressibility to be insertable through the recess neck portion upon construction of the assembly and resiliency to then attain the width size to lockably fit within the recess anchor portion. 4. The assembly according to claim 3 wherein the plurality of first locking elements further include a pair of oppositely projecting flange portions, and the plurality of second locking elements further include a pair of oppositely projecting side extensions, each extending around and grasping a correspondingly positioned one of the pair of flange portions. 5. The assembly according to claim 1 wherein the bunk beam attachment surface includes a cushion support surface portion configured to support the cushion lower surface and the plurality of first locking elements include a longitudinally extending recess in the bunk beam projecting away from the cushion support surface, the recess having a neck portion toward the cushion support surface and an anchor portion positioned away from the cushion support surface, the recess anchor portion having a width greater than the recess neck portion, and wherein the second plurality of locking elements include a longitudinally extending locking member projecting away from the cushion lower surface and into the recess, the locking member having a neck portion toward the cushion lower surface and a lock portion positioned away from the cushion lower surface, the cushion neck portion ha ving a width sized to fit within the recess neck portion and the cushion lock portion having a width sized to lockably fit within the recess anchor portion, the cushion lock portion width being greater than the recess neck portion width. 6. The assembly according to claim 1 for attachment to a pair of support booms, wherein the bunk beam attachment surface includes a cushion support surface portion configured to support the cushion lower surface and the bunk beam further comprises first and second support webs rigidly attached to the attachment surface, the first and second support webs projecting away from the attachment surface on a side thereof away from the cushion support surface and being configure to attach to the support booms. 7. The assembly according to claim 6 wherein the first and second webs have toward each end portion of the bunk beam a transverse bore sized to receive a pin for pivotal connection of the bunk beam to a correspondingly positioned one of the pair of support booms, the first and second webs having a lower wall portion and an upper wall portion positioned between the lower wall portion and the cushion support surface portion, the lower wall portion having a wall thickness greater than the wall thickness of the upper wall portion in at least the area around the transverse bores to provide within the transverse bores a bearing surface for engagement with the pin when extending therethrough. 8. The assembly according to claim 7 wherein the thickness of the lower wall portion around the bores is at least 1.8 times the thickness of the upper wall portion. 9. The assembly according to claim 6 wherein the first web has a height shorter that the second web to hold the cushion support surface at an angle to the horizon when the first and second support webs are attached to the support booms. 10. The assembly according to claim 1 wherein the bunk cushion further comprises a convex upper surface opposite the cushion lower surface. 11. The assembly according to claim 1 wherein the bunk cushion has an unloaded height above the cushion support surface portion at least 0.1875 times the width of the bunk cushion. 12. The assembly according to claim 11 wherein the bunk cushion has a stiffness such that under loading by the watercraft the loaded height above the cushion support surface portion will be at least 0.5 times the unloaded height. 13. The assembly according to claim 1 wherein the bunk cushion is comprised of an elastomeric material. 14. The assembly according to claim 13 wherein the bunk cushion has at least one interior void and a pair of adjacent interior resilient walls. 15. The assembly according to claim 1 wherein the bunk beam comprises a stiff material having sufficient rigidity to support the watercraft and sufficient flexibility to at least partially conform to the shape of the watercraft. 16. The assembly according to claim 15 wherein the bunk beam material is aluminum. 17. The assembly according to claim 15 wherein the bunk beam is an extruded member. 18. The assembly according to claim 1 wherein the first locking elements include a centrally disposed recess, and opposing first and second side recesses, and the second locking elements are a central locking member projecting into the recess and opposing first and second side members projecting into the first and second side recesses, respectively. 19. A bunk beam and bunk cushion assembly for supporting a watercraft having a hull, comprising:an elongated bunk beam having an elongated cushion support surface portion and a longitudinally extending recess projecting away from the cushion support surface, the recess having a neck portion toward the cushion support surface and an anchor portion positioned away from the cushion support surface, the recess anchor portion having a width greater than the recess neck portion; andan elongated bunk cushion having a lower surface in supporting engagement with the cushion support surface portion of the bunk be am and an upper watercraft support surface engageable with the watercraft hull, the bunk cushion having a longitudinally extending locking rib projecting away from the cushion lower surface and into the recess, the locking rib having a neck portion toward the cushion lower surface and a lock portion positioned away from the cushion lower surface, the cushion neck portion having a width sized to fit within the recess neck portion and the cushion lock portion having a width sized to lockably fit within the recess anchor portion, the cushion lock portion width being greater than the recess neck portion, the cushion neck portion having a thickness sufficient to provide shear strength to maintain the bunk cushion in position on the cushion support surface portion of the bunk beam against side loading forces exerted by the watercraft during use and the cushion lock portion having a thickness sufficient to not pull through the recess neck portion to maintain the bunk cushion in position on the cushion support surface portion of the bunk beam against lifting forces exerted by the watercraft during use, whereby the cushion locking rib maintains the bunk cushion in stationary position on and attached to the bunk beam during usage. 20. The assembly according to claim 19 wherein the cushion lock portion has sufficient compressibility to be insertable downward through the recess neck portion upon construction of the assembly. 21. The assembly according to claim 19 wherein the bunk beam has sufficient stiffness to support a portion of the weight of the watercraft transmitted through the bunk beam without permanent deformation but is yieldable to at least partially conform to the shape of the watercraft hull under the portion of the weight of the watercraft supported thereby. 22. The assembly according to claim 19 wherein the cushion support surface portion of the bunk beam is oriented at a predetermined fixed angle to the horizon so as to be facing toward the hull of the watercraft when in use to support the watercraft. 23. The assembly according to claim 22 wherein the bunk cushion further comprises a convex upper surface opposite the cushion lower surface and facing toward the hull of the watercraft when in use to support the watercraft. 24. The assembly according to claim 23 for attachment to first and second booms rotatable in a substantially vertical plane, wherein the bunk beam includes at least one attachment member configured to be pivotally attached to the first and second booms to move the bunk beam and bunk cushion as a unit in the substantially vertical plane with the first and second booms, with the bunk beam and bunk cushion comprising a non-movable assembly when in an elevated position supporting the hull of the watercraft. 25. The assembly according to claim 19 wherein the bunk beam further includes a pair of oppositely projecting flange portions, with the recess positioned therebetween, and the bunk cushion further includes a pair of oppositely projecting side extensions, each extending around and grasping a correspondingly positioned one of the pair of flange portions. 26. The assembly according to claim 19 wherein the bunk beam further includes opposing first and second side recesses, and the bunk cushion further includes opposing first and second side members projecting into the first and second side recesses, respectively, to hold assist the cushion locking rib maintain the bunk cushion in position on and attached to the bunk beam during usage. 27. The assembly according to claim 19 for attachment to first and second rotatable booms, wherein the bunk beam further includes first and second elongated support sidewalls having an upper edge portion supportingly attached to the cushion support surface portion, the first and second support sidewalls projecting downward from the cushion support surface portion and configured to be attached to the first and second booms. 28. The assembly according to claim 27 wherein the first and second support sidewalls each have first and second end portions, the first and second support sidewalls having a first transverse bore in the first end portion thereof sized to receive a first pin for pivotal connection to the first boom, and the first and second support sidewalls having a second transverse bore in the second end portion thereof sized to receive a second pin for pivotal connection to the second boom, the first and second support sidewalls each having an upper wall portion attached to the cushion support surface portion and a lower wall portion extending downward from the upper wall portion, the lower wall portion having a wall thickness greater than the wall thickness of the upper wall portion in at least the area around the first and second transverse bores to provide within the first and second transverse bores first and second bearing surfaces for engagement with the first and second pins, respectively, when extending therethrough. 29. The assembly according to claim 27 for use with a support structure including the first and second booms, wherein the bunk beam has first and second end portions, each configured to attach to a correspondingly positioned one of the first and second booms, without the support structure supporting the bunk beam at locations between the first and second end portions. 30. The assembly according to claim 27 wherein the thickness of the lower wall portion around the first and second bores is at least 1.8 times the thickness of the upper wall portion. 31. The assembly according to claim 27 wherein the first support sidewall is positionable toward the watercraft and has a height shorter that the second support sidewall to hold the cushion support surface portion at a predetermined angle to the horizon when the first and second support sidewalls attached to the support booms. 32. The assembly according to claim 19 wherein the bunk cushion further comprises a convex upper surface opposite the cushion lower surface. 33. The assembly according to claim 19 wherein the bunk cushion has an unloaded height above the cushion support surface portion at least 0.1875 times the width of the bunk cushion. 34. The assembly according to claim 33 wherein the bunk cushion has a stiffness such that under loading by the watercraft the loaded height above the cushion support surface portion will be at least 0.5 times the unloaded height. 35. The assembly according to claim 19 wherein the bunk cushion is comprised of an elastomeric material. 36. The assembly according to claim 35 wherein the bunk cushion has at least first, second and third adjacent interior void and a first interior resilient wall between the first and second interior voids and a second interior resilient wall between the second and third interior voids. 37. The assembly according to claim 19 wherein the bunk beam comprises a stiff material having sufficient rigidity to support the watercraft and sufficient flexibility to at least partially conform to the shape of the watercraft. 38. The assembly according to claim 37 wherein the bunk beam material is an extruded aluminum member. 39. A bunk beam and bunk cushion assembly for supporting a watercraft having a hull, comprising:an elongated bunk beam having an elongated cushion support surface portion and a longitudinally extending slot; andan elongated bunk cushion having a lower surface in supporting engagement with the cushion support surface portion of the bunk beam and an upper watercraft support surface engageable with the watercraft hull, the bunk cushion having a longitudinally extending locking rib projecting away from the cushion lower surface and into the slot, the cushion locking rib having a thickness sufficient to provide shear strength to maintain the bunk cushion in position on the cushion support surface portion of the bunk beam against side loading forces exerted by the watercraft during use. 40. The assembly according to claim 39 wherein the bunk beam has sufficient s tiffness to support a portion of the weight of the watercraft transmitted through the bunk beam without permanent deformation but is yieldable to at least partially conform to the shape of the watercraft hull under the portion of the weight of the watercraft supported thereby. 41. The assembly according to claim 39 wherein the cushion support surface portion of the bunk beam is oriented at a predetermined fixed angle to the horizon so as to be facing toward the hull of the watercraft when in use to support the watercraft. 42. The assembly according to claim 41 wherein the bunk cushion further comprises a convex upper surface opposite the cushion lower surface and facing toward the hull of the watercraft when in use to support the watercraft. 43. The assembly according to claim 42 for attachment to first and second booms rotatable in a substantially vertical plane, wherein the bunk beam includes at least one attachment member configured to be pivotally attached to the first and second booms to move the bunk beam and bunk cushion as a unit in the substantially vertical plane with the first and second booms, with the bunk beam and bunk cushion comprising a non-movable assembly when in an elevated position supporting the hull of the watercraft. 44. A bunk beam and bunk cushion assembly for supporting a watercraft having a hull, comprising:an elongated bunk beam having an elongated cushion support surface portion oriented at a predetermined fixed angle to the horizon so as to be facing toward the hull of the watercraft when in use to support the watercraft; andan elongated bunk cushion having a lower surface portion in supporting engagement with the cushion support surface portion of the bunk beam and an upper watercraft support surface portion engageable with the watercraft hull, the cushion upper surface portion being convex in shape and projecting away from the cushion lower surface portion, the cushion support surface portion of the bunk beam holding the cushion upper surface portion facing toward the hull of the watercraft for engagement therewith when in use to support the watercraft, the bunk cushion and the bunk beam being attached together in stationary relation for movement as a unit, the bunk cushion having a longitudinally extending locking rib projecting away from the cushion lower surface portion and into a longitudinally extending recess of the bunk beam, the locking rib being lockably retained in the bunk beam recess, whereby the cushion locking rib maintains the bunk cushion in stationary position on and attached to the bunk beam during usage. 45. The assembly according to claim 44 for attachment to first and second booms rotatable in a substantially vertical plane, wherein the bunk beam includes at least one attachment member configured to be pivotally attached to the first and second booms to move the bunk beam and the bunk cushion as a unit in the substantially vertical plane with the first and second booms, with the bunk beam and bunk cushion comprising a non-movable assembly when in an elevated position supporting the hull of the watercraft. 46. A bunk beam and bunk cushion assembly for supporting a watercraft having a hull, comprising:an elongated bunk beam having an elongated cushion support surface portion oriented at a predetermined fixed angle to the horizon so as to be facing toward the hull of the watercraft when in use to support the watercraft, the bunk beam further including a longitudinally extending recess projecting away from the cushion support surface, the recess having a neck portion toward the cushion support surface and an anchor portion positioned away from the cushion support surface, the recess anchor portion having a width greater than the recess neck portion; andan elongated bunk cushion having a lower surface in supporting engagement with the cushion support surface portion of the bunk beam and an upper watercraft support surface engageable with the watercraft hull, the cushion upper su rface being convex in shape and projecting away from the cushion lower surface, the cushion support surface portion of the bunk beam holding the cushion upper surface facing toward the hull of the watercraft for engagement therewith when in use to support the watercraft, the bunk cushion having a longitudinally extending locking member projecting away from the cushion lower surface and into the recess to hold the bunk cushion and the bunk beam together in stationary relation for movement as a unit, the locking member having a neck portion toward the cushion lower surface and a lock portion positioned away from the cushion lower surface, the cushion neck portion having a width sized to fit within the recess neck portion and the cushion lock portion having a width sized to lockably fit within the recess anchor portion, the cushion lock portion width being greater than the recess neck portion, the cushion neck portion having a thickness sufficient to provide shear strength to maintain the bunk cushion in position on the cushion support surface portion of the bunk beam against side loading forces exerted by the watercraft during use and the cushion lock portion having a thickness sufficient to not pull through the recess neck portion to maintain the bunk cushion in position on the cushion support surface portion of the bunk beam against lifting forces exerted by the watercraft during use, whereby the cushion locking member maintains the bunk cushion in stationary position on and attached to the bunk beam during usage. 47. The assembly according to claim 46 wherein the bunk beam has sufficient stiffness to support a portion of the weight of the watercraft transmitted through the bunk beam without permanent deformation but is yieldable to at least partially conform to the shape of the watercraft hull under the portion of the weight of the watercraft supported thereby. 48. A watercraft lift for supporting a watercraft having a hull, comprising:a support platform positionable in a first position to support the watercraft above a body of water, and positionable in a second position to position the watercraft in the body of water, the support platform including a first and second bunk beam and bunk cushion assemblies in spaced a part substantially parallel arrangement, the first and second bunk beam and bunk cushion assemblies each including an elongated bunk beam having an elongated cushion support surface portion and an elongated bunk cushion having a lower surface in supporting engagement with the cushion support surface portion of the bunk beam, the bunk beam further having a longitudinally extending recess projecting away from the cushion support surface, the recess having a neck portion toward the cushion support surface and an anchor portion positioned away from the cushion support surface, the recess anchor portion having a width greater than the recess neck portion, and the bunk cushion further having an upper watercraft support surface engageable with the watercraft hull, the bunk cushion having a longitudinally extending locking rib projecting away from the cushion lower surface and into the recess, the locking rib having a neck portion toward the cushion lower surface and a lock portion positioned away from the cushion lower surface, the cushion neck portion having a width sized to fit within the recess neck portion and the cushion lock portion having a width sized to lockably fit within the recess anchor portion, the cushion lock portion width being greater than the recess neck portion, the cushion neck portion having a thickness sufficient to provide shear strength to maintain the bunk cushion in position on the cushion support surface portion of the bunk beam against side loading forces exerted by the watercraft during use and the cushion lock portion having a thickness sufficient to not pull through the recess neck portion to maintain the bunk cushion in position on the cushion support surface portion of the bunk beam ag ainst lifting forces exerted by the watercraft during use, whereby the cushion locking rib maintains the bunk cushion in stationary position on and attached to the bunk beam during usage, and the bunk beam and bunk cushion form a non-movable assembly when in the first position supporting the hull of the watercraft above the body of water. 49. The lift according to claim 48 wherein the cushion lock portion has sufficient compressibility to be insertable downward through the recess neck portion upon construction of the assembly. 50. The lift according to claim 48 further including first and second left side rotatable booms and first and second right side rotatable booms, the bunk beam of the first bunk beam and bunk cushion assembly having first and second elongated support sidewalls having an upper edge portion supportingly attached to the cushion support surface portion of the first bunk beam and bunk cushion assembly and the bunk beam of the second bunk beam and bunk cushion assembly having first and second elongated support sidewalls having an upper edge portion supportingly attached to the cushion support surface portion of the second bunk beam and bunk cushion assembly, each of the first and second support sidewalls projecting downward from the cushion support surface portion and configured to be attached to the corresponding side first and second booms. 51. The lift according to claim 50 wherein the first and second support sidewalls of the bunk beams of the first and second bunk beam and bunk cushion assemblies each have first and second end portions, the first and second support sidewalls having a first transverse bore in the first end portion thereof sized to receive a first pin for pivotal connection to the corresponding side first boom, and the first and second support sidewalls having a second transverse bore in the second end portion thereof sized to receive a second pin for pivotal connection to the corresponding side second boom, the first and second support sidewalls each having an upper wall portion attached to the cushion support surface portion and a lower wall portion extending downward from the upper wall portion, the lower wall portion having a wall thickness greater than the wall thickness of the upper wall portion in at least the area around the first and second transverse bores to provide within the first and second transverse bores first and second bearing surfaces for engagement with the first and second pins, respectively, when extending therethrough. 52. The assembly according to claim 48 wherein the bunk beams of the first and second bunk beam and bunk cushion assemblies each has sufficient stiffness to support a portion of the weight of the watercraft transmitted through the bunk beam without permanent deformation but is yieldable to at least partially conform to the shape of the watercraft hull under the portion of the weight of the watercraft supported thereby. 53. The assembly according to claim 48 wherein the bunk beams of the first and second bunk beam and bunk cushion assemblies each has a pair of oppositely projecting flange portions, with the recess positioned therebetween, and the bunk cushions of the first and second bunk beam and bunk cushion assemblies each has a pair of oppositely projecting side extensions, each extending around and grasping a correspondingly positioned one of the pair of flange portions. 54. The assembly according to claim 48 wherein the bunk beams of the first and second bunk beam and bunk cushion assemblies each has opposing first and second side recesses, and the bunk cushions of the first and second bunk beam and bunk cushion assemblies each has opposing first and second side members projecting into the first and second side recesses, respectively, to hold assist the cushion locking rib maintain the bunk cushion in position on and attached to the bunk beam during usage.