This is directed to systems, processes, machines, and other means that enable an operator to manage, orient, and rapidly launch a paddle craft with the paddler on board from a dock or boat deck into the water or lift-out a paddle craft with the paddler on board from the water and deliver it the deck level of a dock or boat. The invention is a launch and retrieval system, comprised of an automated device with two mechanically attached assemblies: a) A Pneumatic Pivot Lift assembly that simultaneously lifts and pivots or simultaneously descends and pivots, b) the mechanically attached Self-balancing Lift Car assembly that seats and supports the paddle craft and its paddler on the journey to and from the water, and; (c) a facilitating Shuttle Cart used to manage and orientate the craft on the dock and deliver the craft with the paddler on board, to and from the device. The Pneumatic Pivot Lift lowers and lifts the paddler to and from the water. Raised flanges on the piston of the pneumatic lift spiral through an alignment collar which causes the head of the piston to turn 90 degrees clockwise as it lowers or 90 degrees counter clockwise as it rises. This causes the self-leveling Lift Car attached to the head of the piston to pivot from perpendicular to the dock or boat deck at deck level to parallel to the dock or boat at just below water level as it lowers and vice versa when lifting. The Shuttle Cart manages the craft on the dock or deck to allow the paddler to get onto or into the craft with ease and safety and facilitate the delivery of the paddler/craft unit, by the operator, to and from the device. The overall device (Lift & Lift Car) is mechanically attached to the exterior of an existing dock, floating platform, or the open deck of a large boat and does not occupy any deck space. The Shuttle Cart is free standing and mobile on the deck.
AN AUTOMATED, PADDLER-ON-BOARD, PADDLE-CRAFT LAUNCH AND RETRIEVAL SYSTEM
SYSTEME DE MISE A L'EAU ET DE RECUPERATION D'EMBARCATION A PAGAIE AUTOMATISE, PAGAYEUR A BORD
2020-02-15
Patent
Electronic Resource
English
IPC: | B63B Schiffe oder sonstige Wasserfahrzeuge , SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS |
Electrically assisted craft, such as surfboard or paddle board
European Patent Office | 2022
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