FR2605970A1 - Device for handling, transporting and storing pleasure boats - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device which, from the slipway of a harbour for pleasure craft, makes it possible to launch boats as well as to take the said boats out of the water, to transport them by road and, subsequently, to store them, even in a garage or boathouse, without the assistance of any crane or additional lifting system. A cradle 2 equipped with wheels, which is able to adopt two positions, a lowered position and a raised position, supports the boat and is inserted, by rolling, into the "U"-shaped frames of trailer. Only the cradle 2 is therefore submerged, which makes it possible to avoid any contact of the trailer with the water. In addition, given the combination of this cradle and the "U" of the trailer, the centre of gravity of the whole unit may be considerably lowered. The invention applies to the transporting and launching of any type of medium-tonnage pleasure boat.

Description

HANDLING DEVICE,
TRANSPORT AND STORAGE
PLEASURE BOATS
The invention relates to a device which, from the hold of a marina, allows the launching of boats as well as the exit of water from said boats, transport on road and, then, the storage, even in a garage or hangar, without the cooperation of any crane or auxiliary lifting system.

We know that there are a few types of launching trailers and associated pleasure craft handling systems on the market which, in spite of their designation of "slatting", in fact only allow their transport on the road. Indeed, if one has a hold or an inclined plane, and even playing on the movement of the tides, conventional trailers can be partly used to approach the boat as close to the water.

However, these trailers are neither immersible nor suitable for the direct floating of the boat. Any attempt to immerse these trailers results firstly in the brake seizure and the brake protection tests or the tight lubrication of the brakes resulted in technical failure and excessive costs.

Certain devices using an intermediate system, such as a rolling cradle, serving as a cradle for the boat, and then placed on a trailer have provided a certain solution to the problem. However, these devices have two major drawbacks, the first being the need for the trailer to have inclined ramps for raising and lowering the cradle, as is the case for car transport trailers and the second being that the ber-boat assembly is hoisted on the trailer, which considerably raises the center of gravity of the assembly with the dangers of superelevation that this can represent.

Finally, the storage of this ber-boat assembly, even separate from the trailer, can present difficulties in passing overhead in a garage or hangar with a relatively low ceiling because the known cradles have no possibility of adjustment limiting their bulk in height.

The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks and relates to a device using the combination of a rolling cradle and a trailer perfectly suited for the direct afloat of a pleasure boat or its extraction from water by avoiding on the one hand the immersion of the trailer and this without the use of any accessory lifting means and without risk of damage to the boat and allowing on the other hand the transport on road in conditions of safety optimal thanks to its center of gravity placed as low as possible, as well as the easy storage of the boat in a garage or haggard limited passage, especially in height.

The invention relates more precisely to a device for handling, transporting and storing a pleasure boat of the type comprising a cradle intended to carry the boat, the cradle-boat assembly being made integral with a trailer; characterized in that the chassis of the trailer (1) is in the shape of a "U", an independent set of axles (120, 130) equipping each of the side members (12, 13) of the "U", so that the ber (2) comes by rolling to fit into said "U"; the cradle (2) and the trailer (1) being equipped with means cooperating with each other to ensure the lifting, lowering and securing of the cradle (2) to the trailer (1).

The invention will be better understood with the aid of the explanations which follow and of the appended figures, among which
Figure 1 shows a general view of the device, object of the invention, during an operation of extraction or launching of a boat;
FIG. 2 schematically represents the association of the cradle and the trailer in accordance with the invention;
Figure 3 shows in elevation a system of centering fork and positioning in length of the boat on the cradle, the fork being integral with the cradle;
Figure 4 is the same system seen in plan
Figure 5 is a rear view of the entire device, where we see the wheelchair carrying the boat which has just been positioned by rolling in the trailer;
FIG. 6 is the same rear view of the ber-boat-trailer device, but with the ber-boat assembly positioned in the trailer in position for transport
Figure 7 is a cross view of the entire device object of the invention, ready for transport;
Figure 8 shows the ber-boat assembly ready for storage.

For the sake of clarity, the same elements are given the same references in all the figures.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, the device for handling, transporting and storing pleasure craft which is the subject of the invention consists of three main parts: a trailer (1), a wheeled cradle (2), a fork (3) for centering and positioning the boat lengthwise (B), integral with the cradle (2).

According to an important characteristic of the invention, and as shown in FIG. 2, the trailer (1) is presented at the front in the form of a V extended by a U-shaped chassis consisting of a front cross member (11) making the connection between the V-shaped part and the U and two longitudinal members (12) and (13), all in square steel tube whose dimensions are adapted to the loads to be handled.

This U-shaped chassis allows the side members (12) and (13) and the front crossmember. (11) to frame the cradle (2).

Each of the side members (12) and (13) receives at least one axle (120 and 130) each carrying one or two wheels (121 -122) and (131 - 132) respectively. One of the particularities of these axles (120) and (130) is that they can be advanced or moved back along each spar (12) and (13), as shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 2 and 7 by means of flanges ( 123) and (133).

On the transverse bar (11) of the trailer (1) and at the end of the side rails (12) and (13) are fixed rollers (110), (111), (112) and (113) on which go '' support cables (20), (21), (22), (23), whose function is to hoist the cradle (2) and lower it. For this, each end of the cable is secured to the cradle at points (200), (210), (220), (230).

Each cable will then roll around two rollers placed on the V arms of the trailer (1). On the roller (A) with two grooves will wind the cables (20) and (21) while the roller (B) with four grooves will receive the four cables (20), (21), (22), (23 ), then connected at a single point (C), to a single connection cable (90), cooperating with a traction system (9) integral with the chassis of the trailer (1) to ensure by constant pulling up of the cradle ( 2).

The stiffening of the U-shaped part of the chassis of the trailer (1) is ensured by two struts (30) and (31) secured to the crossbar (11) and to the side members (12) and (13).

The distance (1) between the two struts on the crossbar (11) serves as centering at the front (62) of the cradle (2).

At the front of the trailer a winch (T) is arranged in the axis thereof. Its function is to pull the cradle (2) by a cable (25) fixed on the front bar (62) of the cradle (2) at point (26).

Finally, upstream of this winch (T), a caster (27) adjustable in height by a mechanical screw jack (28) serves as a support point for the trailer (1) not coupled. At the end of the point of the V of the chassis of the trailer (1) there is the anchor point (Pe) to the traction vehicle shown diagrammatically in (A) in FIG. 1.

According to another important characteristic of the invention and taking into account the U-shape of the chassis of the trailer (1), a rolling cradle (2) can be easily introduced into the trailer to be fixed and detached from the trailer (1).

This submersible rolling cradle (2) serves as a cradle for the boat (B) both in storage and during transport as well as for putting afloat or extracting water from the boat. As shown in Figure 2, this cradle (2) consists of a trapezoidal frame of steel tube of square section composed of two beams (60) and (61), a front crossmember (62) and a strip (63) serving as a rear cross member and a stop against the rear of the trailer (1). The dimensions of these square section steel tubes are adapted to the loads to be handled. It is designed to be fitted while rolling in the U of the trailer (1) thanks to the four plastic casters (40), (41), (42), (43) retractable allowing it to roll whatever the position-retracted
or not casters (40), (41), (42), (43) as shown in Figures 7 and 8 The retracted position of the casters is mainly used during road transport on the trailer and storage in the garage , for example.

At the four corners of the chassis of the cradle (2) are welded four hollow steel tubes of square section (50) serving on the one hand to center the cradle (2) in the U of the trailer at the time of leaving the water and on the other hand point of attachment, at the desired height of the cradle (2) to the chassis of the trailer (1) for transport.

The position of these four hollow steel tubes (50) is provided so that the front faces of the two tubes fixed to the front of the cradle (2) come to tangent to the vertical rear face of the transverse bar (11) of the trailer while the side faces of the two rear tubes tangent the inner faces of the side members (12) and (13) of the trailer (1).

For transport, the ber-trailer is secured by the installation of bolts or screws (85) passing through, on the one hand, the holes made for this purpose in the chassis of the trailer and? on the other hand, crossing one of the different holes made on the height of the four vertical steel tubes (50) by choosing the one best suited to the height chosen for the transport to be carried out.

Finally, at each end of the rear strip (63) of the cradle (2) and at each end of the front crosspiece (62) of the latter, there are arranged four attachment points (200) and (230) to the rear, and (210) and (220) at the front. On these attachment points will be hooked respectively the cables (20), (21), (22) and (23) which, as already said above, are used to hoist the cradle (2) under the action of the traction system (9).

On the side members (60) and (61), at the front and at the rear thereof, accessories are arranged essentially consisting of plates on which the bottom of the boat (B) will rest.

These plates (70) with ball joints (71) are provided with rubber pads. Their dimension and their position along the side rails (60) and (61) are calculated to obtain a good distribution of the loads on the cradle (2). They are placed at the end of vertical supports (72) adjustable vertically and sectorally which consist of telescopic tubes.

According to another very important characteristic of the invention, and as shown in particular in Figures (3) and (4) and Figures (7) and (8), the two vertical supports (72) previously defined of the front plates ( 70a) also serve as a center of rotation and support for two fork carriers (75). Each of these fork carriers (75) consists of a sheath (76), which is articulated perpendicularly in the middle of its length on an axis (77), along (x x). In these sleeves (76), each branch of the fork (3) slides and after setting to the length adapted to the position most suitable for the balance of the boat (B) on the cradle (2), the fork (3) is locked at the sleeves (76) by any known securing means such as a flange not shown.

At the tip of the fork (3) is placed a yoke (78) in which the ring of the stirrup (79) is housed, the assembly then being secured by a pin or a tip (80).

The role of this centering fork (3) and its rotary and sliding support is described below.

The trailer (1), coupled to the traction vehicle (A), is brought, as shown in Figure 1 on the inclined plane of the port hold. The trailer 1 is out of the water and the cradle (2) is detached from the trailer (1) it is placed on its casters (40, 41, 42, 43) which are in the high position and it is simply connected to the trailer (1) by the cable (25) secured to the winch (T) of the trailer (1) at point (26). Then let the cradle (2) roll which gradually sinks. When fully submerged, the boat is maneuvered until the ring of the boat's bow (79) can be coupled to the yoke (78) at the end of the fork (3). The boat (B) is then centered in the axis of the cradle (2).

By action on the winch (T) and by winding of the cable (25), the operation of putting the boat out of water can begin.

During this ascent of the cradle (2) which rolls on the inclined plane of the hold, the front plates (70a) will come to be pressed against the hull of the boat while the rear plates are still not in contact with the hull of the boat.

It is thanks to the articulation (77) of the fork (3) that this bringing the rear plates into contact with the hull will take place automatically, the tilting of the boat (B) on the cradle (2) taking place gradually thanks to the rotation of the boat, around the axis (xx) around its front fixing point by its ring (80).

Thus, progressively, during the pulling of the cable (25), the boat (B) will tilt to come to rest on these rear plates (70). The boat (B) thus resting on the cradle (2), the cradle-boat assembly will be completely taken out of the water.

By continuing the action on the winch, we then bring the ber-boat assembly into the U of the trailer (1), which is centered in the front between the two struts (30) and (31) of the trailer and at the rear by the chocks (600) and (610) whose faces (b) facilitate this centering. It is then sufficient to hang the lifting cables (20), (21), (22), (23), at the points provided on the cradle (2) respectively (200), (210), (220), (230 ) and to raise the ber-boat assembly at the level of the trailer chassis (2) by action on the lifting system (9) which pulls on the cable (90) to release the casters (40) from the ground, ( 41), (42), (43) of ber (2).

The rollers (40, 41, 42, 43) being then released from the ground, it is possible to carry out the retraction operation of said rollers which can occupy a high position, a low position and any intermediate position. This arrangement provides optimal ground clearance.

We can then, by acting on the lifting system (9), slightly release the cable (90) and, therefore, lower the ber-boat assembly as low as possible, leaving a minimum ground clearance compatible with transport to perform.

It then suffices to lock the ber-trailer assembly by installing bolts or screws (85) on the posts (50) through the crossmember (11) and the side members (12) and (13) of the trailer (1 ) as described above.

It can be seen that this operation to remove the boat from the water was carried out without the cooperation of any crane or additional lifting system and without the trailer having been submerged. Under these conditions, there is nothing more to fear for the trailer, neither at the level of its structure (it can be painted), nor at the level of the braking system.

Arrived at destination for storage, but this is also true for a return to the water, the opposite operation to that described above is carried out; ctest to say that after the release of the locking of the cradle (2) on the trailer (1), the whole cradle-boat is put back on its wheels maintained in high position or retracted according to whether one wants to proceed to a storage or launching.

After release of the cables (20), (21), (22), (23) and release of the cable tie (26) (25), to the winch (T), the ber-boat assembly rolls in the low position or high to its storage area or to the water.

It is therefore seen that this device, object of the invention, solves many problems which arise for the launching of pleasure boats, their transport and their storage.

In addition, this device, object of the invention, has the advantage, taking into account the relatively limited tonnage of pleasure boats and thanks to the very low center of gravity of the hitch, of being usable on the road without special exemption in meeting traffic standards and rules.

The applications of such a device are numerous. Loading and unloading is done flexibly without risk of damage to the boat, transport is carried out under optimal safety conditions, the center of gravity of the transported assembly remaining as low as possible and storage in a garage relatively low can be considered. The fact that the boat remains on its cradle facilitates the maintenance of the living works of the boat without manipulation of the latter.

Finally, it is understood that, depending on the ranges of boats to be handled, different types of homothetic trailers can be manufactured on the same bases without departing from the limits of the invention.

Claims (8)

1) Device for handling, transporting and storing the pleasure boat of the type comprising a cradle intended to carry the boat, the cradle-boat assembly being secured to a trailer; characterized in that the chassis of the trailer (1) is in the shape of a "U", an independent set of axles (120, 130) equipping each of the side members (12, 13) of the "U", so that the ber (2) comes by rolling to fit into said "U"; the cradle (2) and the trailer (1) being equipped with means cooperating with each other to ensure the lifting, lowering and securing of the cradle (2) to the trailer (1). 2) Device according to claim 1; characterized in that the lifting means consist of a set of cables (20, 21, 22, 23) cooperating with a traction system (9) integral with the chassis of the trailer. 3) Device according to claim 2; characterized in that these cables are integral with the cradle (2) at the front (210, 220) and at the rear (200, 230), are supported on a set of rollers (110, 111, 112, 113) linked to the chassis of the trailer (1) before being wound on a roller (A) with two grooves on the one hand and a roller (B) with four grooves on the other hand, both secured to the arms forming the ( V) of the trailer chassis (1), the set of cables then being connected at a single point (C) to a connection cable (90) to the traction system (9). 4) Device according to one of the preceding claims; characterized in that the position of each set of axles (120, 130) is adjustable along the side rails (12, 13) according to the weight and the size of the load to be transported. 5) Device according to one of the preceding claims; characterized in that four tubes (50) are made integral with the four corners of the cradle (2), these tubes (50) having the function, on the one hand, of participating in guiding the cradle (2) in the chassis of the trailer (1), on the other hand, to serve as points for securing the cradle (2) to said chassis at the desired height by means of a bolt (85) slipped into one of the holes provided for this purpose in said tube ( 50). 6) Device according to one of the preceding claims;, characterized in that the cradle (2) is equipped with rollers (40, 41, 42, 43) capable of occupying at least two positions, one called low and the another known as raised. 7) Device according to one of the preceding claims; characterized in that on the side members (60), (61), at the front and at the rear thereof, are arranged plates (70) with ball joints (71) placed at the end of vertical supports (72) telescopic vertically and sectorally adjustable. 8) Device according to one of the preceding claims; characterized in that the vertical supports (72) located at the front receive two fork carriers (75) consisting of a sheath (76) which articulate perpendicularly in the middle of its length on an axis (77) along (XX) of such that each branch of the fork (3) can slide before being locked to adapt to the length ensuring the positioning of the boat (B) on the cradle (2); the tip of the fork (3) comprising a yoke (78) in which the ring of the stirrup (79) is housed, the assembly being secured by a pin or a tip (80), the architecture of this fork (3) ensuring the tilting around the axis (XX), automatic and progressive of the boat (B) on the cradle (2).