US20090320739A1 - Support Block for a Watercraft - Google Patents
Support Block for a Watercraft Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20090320739A1 US20090320739A1 US12/474,519 US47451909A US2009320739A1 US 20090320739 A1 US20090320739 A1 US 20090320739A1 US 47451909 A US47451909 A US 47451909A US 2009320739 A1 US2009320739 A1 US 2009320739A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- support block
- curvature
- radius
- watercraft
- pontoon
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
- B63C5/00—Equipment usable both on slipways and in dry docks
- B63C5/02—Stagings; Scaffolding; Shores or struts
- B63C5/04—Bilge or keel blocks
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
- Bridges Or Land Bridges (AREA)
Abstract
A support block for a watercraft which can include a pontoon having a keel strip, comprises a curved upper surface for accommodating the bottom of the watercraft, wherein upper surface has a radius of curvature that is larger than the radius of curvature of the bottom of the watercraft, and the block is made from a material that will deform when loaded such that the upper surface will conform to the radius of the bottom of the watercraft. The upper surface of the block can have a notch for accommodating the keel strip.
Description
- This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 61/057,526, filed May 30, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
- It is often necessary to take watercraft out of the water for storage. The watercraft can be placed on a support structure so that it does not rest directly on the ground. Watercraft such as pontoon boats have at least one, usually two, pontoons that are cylindrical in shape and have a thin keel strip running along the bottom-most portion of the pontoon. Previously, supports for pontoon boats have been made from hard materials such as concrete, wood, or hard plastic have been used to support pontoon boats. When using a hard support, all of the weight of the boat is concentrated on the contact point between the keel strip and the support. This support arrangement can damage the bottom of the pontoon.
- According to the invention, a support block for a watercraft comprises a curved upper surface for accommodating the bottom of the watercraft, wherein upper surface has a radius of curvature that is larger than the radius of curvature of the bottom of the watercraft, and the block is made from a material that will deform when loaded such that the upper surface will conform to the radius of the bottom of the watercraft. The watercraft can have at least one pontoon with a keel strip, and the upper surface of the block can have a V-shaped notch for accommodating the keel strip.
- In the drawings:
-
FIG. 1 is a side view of a boat supported by a support system comprising a set of support blocks according to the invention. -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a support block according to a first embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 3 is a front view of the support block fromFIG. 2 in an unloaded configuration. -
FIG. 4 is a front view of the support block fromFIG. 2 in a loaded configuration. -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a support block according to a second embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 6 is a front view of the support block fromFIG. 5 in an unloaded configuration. -
FIG. 7 is a front view of the support block fromFIG. 5 in a loaded configuration. -
FIG. 8 is a front view of a support block according to a third embodiment of the invention. - Referring to
FIG. 1 of the drawings, asupport system 10 is illustrated for supporting awatercraft 100 when thewatercraft 100 is out of water, such as when it is on a ground surface G. Thesupport system 10 includes at least onesupport block 12 on which thewatercraft 100 rests, and which is in turn intended to rest on a ground surface. Thesupport block 12 can support many different types ofwatercrafts 100, including watercrafts having at least one pontoon, such as a pontoon boat, watercrafts having a V-shaped hull, non-powered watercrafts such as canoes and kayaks, and personal watercrafts such as Jet Skis. As illustrated, thesupport system 10 can support awatercraft 100 comprising a pontoon boat having twopontoons 102, each having akeel strip 104. - Referring to
FIG. 2 , a first embodiment of thesupport block 12 is shown, and comprises arectilinear base 14 defining the effective lower surface of thesupport block 12, and a peripheral wall having a pair of generally parallel front andrear walls lateral walls walls base 14. Thesupport block 12 further comprises anupper wall 24 defining the effective upper surface of thesupport block 12 which is joined to thebase 14 by the peripheral wall. Theupper wall 24 includes a concave portion orsurface 26 extending between two generally planar portions orsurfaces upper wall 24 to thelateral walls upper wall 24 comprises a channel in the form of a V-shaped notch 32 formed along the nadir of theconcave surface 26 and extending from thefront wall 16 to therear wall 18. - Referring to
FIG. 3 , thesupport block 12 can receive apontoon 102 having akeel strip 104. As illustrated, the radius of curvature R of theconcave surface 26 can be deliberately shallower than the effective radius of curvature RP of the bottom of a knownwatercraft 100. In the case of a pontoon boat having one ormore pontoons 102, the effective radius of curvature RP is the radius of curvature of thepontoon 102, not taking thekeel strip 104 into account. In the case of other watercrafts having a hull, the effective radius of curvature RP is the approximate radius of curvature of the bottom portion of the hull that will rest on thesupport block 12. An exemplary radius of curvature R of theconcave surface 26 can range from 21 to 27 inches. For pontoon boats, it has been found that a radius of curvature R of approximately 25 inches will effectively support a pontoon boat having apontoon 102 of typical size. While the radius of curvature R of theconcave surface 26 can be equal to or slightly less than the effective radius of curvature RP of the bottom of thewatercraft 100, it is preferred that the radius of curvature R is greater than the effective radius of curvature RP. - Referring to
FIG. 4 , thesupport block 12 is loaded with thepontoon 102, with thepontoon 102 resting on theupper surface 24 and itskeel strip 104 received in thenotch 32. Under the weight of thepontoon 102, thesupport block 12 will compress and conform to the contours of thepontoon 102 and the ground surface G. Theupper surface 24 will contour to the shape of thepontoon 102, with the center of theconcave surface 26 deflecting downward and theplanar surfaces pontoon 102. Theplanar surfaces pontoon 102. The radius of curvature R of theconcave surface 26 will become essentially equal to the radius of curvature RP of thepontoon 102. Thenotch 32 can also contour to the shape of thekeel strip 104. Thebase 14 can also contour to the shape of the ground surface G. For purposes of illustration, the deformation of thesupport block 12 has been exaggerated inFIG. 4 . While not shown, thelateral walls pontoon 102. - Referring to
FIG. 5 , a second embodiment of thesupport block 12 is shown. The second embodiment is substantially similar to the first embodiment, except that instead of a V-shaped notch 32, theupper wall 24 comprises a channel in the form of awider notch 34 formed along the nadir of theconcave surface 26 and extending from thefront wall 16 to therear wall 18. As illustrated, thewider notch 34 is trapezoid-shaped, and comprises a generallyplanar bottom surface 36 extending between twoangled surfaces concave surface 26. - As illustrated in
FIG. 6 , thewider notch 34 makes it easier to lower thekeel 104 of thepontoon 102 into the cut-out area of thesupport block 12. The narrow width of the V-shaped notch 32 can make it difficult to properly align thekeel 104 with thesupport block 12. Thewider notch 34 reduces the precision requires to place thepontoon 102 on thesupport block 12. - As illustrated in
FIG. 7 , thesupport block 12 is loaded with thepontoon 102, with thepontoon 102 resting on theupper surface 24 and itskeel strip 104 received in thenotch 34. Under the weight of thepontoon 102, thesupport block 12 will compress and conform to the contours of thepontoon 102 and the ground surface G, in a similar manner as described for the first embodiment with reference toFIG. 4 . Thenotch 34 can also contour to the shape of thekeel strip 104, with theplanar bottom surface 36 bowing under pressure from thekeel strip 104. For purposes of illustration, the deformation of thesupport block 12 has been exaggerated inFIG. 7 . While not shown, thelateral walls pontoon 102. - Referring to
FIG. 8 , a third embodiment of thesupport block 12 is shown. Like the second embodiment, the third embodiment comprises thewider notch 34. However, the height H2 of the third embodiment thesupport block 12 is less than the height H1 of the second embodiment, where the height of thesupport block 12 is defined as the distance between thebase 14 and theplanar surfaces support block 12 can be considered a “low-profile”support block 12. A lowprofile support block 12 is required for a boat trailer with a lower ground clearance. Further, a lowprofile support block 12 reduces the height of the boat above the ground surface, making it easier for users to look into the boat. This may be especially beneficial in showrooms, where customers can look into a boat without climbing steps or standing on a platform. There is also a slightly lower material cost for the low profile support block. - The
support block 12 of any of the embodiments can be fabricated from a resilient polymeric material, such as expanded polystyrene foam. The density of thesupport block 12 can be configured to compress or deform when loaded, such as with the watercraft 100 (FIG. 1 ). For pontoon boats, it has been found that the density of thesupport block 12 can range from 1.1 lbs/ft3 to 1.5 lbs/ft3. It has been discovered that a density of 1.0 lbs/ft3 is too spongy to support a pontoon boat and have the desired functionality. - Testing performed in accordance with ASTM C578-07 entitled “Specification for Rigid, Cellular Polystyrene Thermal Insulation” and ASTM D1621-04a entitled “Method for Compressive Properties of Rigid Cellular Plastics” has shown that the
support block 12 made from a polystyrene foam having a density within the given range of 1.1 lbs/ft3 to 1.5 lbs/ft3, anupper wall 24 with a surface area of approximately 76 in2, a base 14 with a surface area of approximately 96 in2, and a height between the base 14 and theplanar surfaces such support block 12 is capable of supporting a load of approximately 1,520 lbs (76 in2×20 psi). Therefore, four such support blocks 12 can support a load over 6000 pounds, with some distortion. This is more the sufficient to support many types ofwatercraft 100 on the market. For example, a pontoon boat having a length of 21 ft. with a 50 hp motor weights approximately 2,300 lbs. A pontoon boat having a length of 25 ft. with a 90 hp motor weights approximately 3,500 lbs. - The invention provides a support system for a
watercraft 100 comprising at least onesupport block 12 is lightweight, provides stability, evenly distributes the weight of thewatercraft 100, reduces stress on thewatercraft 100, and can fit watercrafts of many different sizes. The compression of thesupport block 12 evenly distributes the weight of thepontoon 102 over a larger surface area than if thesupport block 12 did not compress or conform. Moreover, the compression of thesupport block 12 increases the stability of thepontoon 102 on thesupport block 12 because the pontoon is cradled by the deflection and deformation of theupper surface 24 andlateral walls support block 12 further reduces stress on thepontoon 102 by providing a stable surface even on uneven ground through the contouring ability of thesupport block 12. The radius of curvature R of theconcave surface 26 can be deliberately shallower than the radius of curvature RP of knownpontoons 102 to enable thesupport block 12 to fit anysize pontoon 102. - While the invention has been specifically described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation. Reasonable variation and modification are possible within the scope of the forgoing disclosure and drawings without departing from the spirit of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.
Claims (18)
1. A support block for a watercraft having a bottom having an effective radius of curvature comprising:
a deformable body having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a peripheral wall connecting the upper and lower surface; and
a concave portion provided in the upper surface and having a radius of curvature that is greater than the effective radius of curvature of the bottom of the watercraft;
wherein the body is made from a material that will deform when loaded such that the concave portion will conform to the bottom of the watercraft.
2. The support block according to claim 1 , wherein the material comprises expanded polystyrene foam.
3. The support block according to claim 1 , wherein the material comprises a density of approximately 1.1 lbs/ft3 to 1.5 lbs/ft3.
4. The support block according to claim 1 , wherein the concave portion has radius of curvature of approximately 21 to 27 inches.
5. The support block according to claim 1 , wherein the concave portion has radius of curvature of approximately 25 inches.
6. The support block according to claim 1 and further comprising a channel formed in the upper surface for accommodating a keel strip on the bottom of the watercraft.
7. The support block according to claim 6 , wherein the channel is formed in the nadir of the concave portion.
8. The support block according to claim 6 , wherein the channel is V-shaped.
9. The support block according to claim 6 , wherein the channel is trapezoid-shaped.
10. The support block according to claim 1 , wherein upper surface further comprises a pair of planar portions that join the concave portion to the peripheral wall.
11. The support block according to claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises a rectilinear base defining the lower surface and the peripheral wall comprises a pair of opposing parallel walls and a pair of opposing angled walls joined to the base.
12. The support block according to claim 1 , wherein the watercraft is a pontoon boat having at least one pontoon, and the effective radius of curvature is the radius of curvature of the pontoon.
13. A support block system for a pontoon boat having at least two pontoons, each with a predetermined radius of curvature, the system comprising:
a plurality of support blocks, each support block comprising a deformable body having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a peripheral wall connecting the upper and lower surface, and a concave portion provided in the upper surface and having a radius of curvature that is greater than the predetermined radius of curvature of the at least two pontoons, wherein the body is made from a material that will deform when loaded such that the concave portion will conform to the at least two pontoons.
14. The support block system according to claim 13 , wherein the material comprises expanded polystyrene foam.
15. The support block system according to claim 13 , wherein the material comprises a density of approximately 1.1 lbs/ft3 to 1.5 lbs/ft3.
16. The support block system according to claim 13 , wherein the concave portion has radius of curvature of approximately 21 to 27 inches.
17. The support block system according to claim 13 , wherein the concave portion has radius of curvature of approximately 25 inches.
18. The support block system according to claim 13 , wherein each support block further comprises a channel formed in the upper surface for accommodating a keel strip on the at least two pontoons.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/474,519 US20090320739A1 (en) | 2008-05-30 | 2009-05-29 | Support Block for a Watercraft |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US5752608P | 2008-05-30 | 2008-05-30 | |
US12/474,519 US20090320739A1 (en) | 2008-05-30 | 2009-05-29 | Support Block for a Watercraft |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20090320739A1 true US20090320739A1 (en) | 2009-12-31 |
Family
ID=41445909
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/474,519 Abandoned US20090320739A1 (en) | 2008-05-30 | 2009-05-29 | Support Block for a Watercraft |
Country Status (1)
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US (1) | US20090320739A1 (en) |
Citations (25)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US756661A (en) * | 1903-12-11 | 1904-04-05 | Irving Arthur Lemm | Boat-chock. |
US819022A (en) * | 1905-10-28 | 1906-04-24 | Benjmane F Mchorney | Boat holding-down and detaching device. |
US850239A (en) * | 1906-04-14 | 1907-04-16 | William John Kivell | Boat launching and stowing apparatus. |
US1261768A (en) * | 1917-06-20 | 1918-04-09 | Patrick J Clancy | Deck-lashing for boats. |
US1321746A (en) * | 1919-11-11 | Liee-boat-securing device | ||
US1515435A (en) * | 1924-06-30 | 1924-11-11 | William G Glover | Bilge block, keel block, and the like |
US2521938A (en) * | 1946-11-27 | 1950-09-12 | Nitenson Edward | Model boat cradle |
US2887203A (en) * | 1956-11-13 | 1959-05-19 | John E Baron | Load supporting member |
US3119127A (en) * | 1961-09-28 | 1964-01-28 | Norman S Blodgett | Boat trailer |
US3511191A (en) * | 1968-06-28 | 1970-05-12 | Foster Grant Co Inc | Pallets |
US3731826A (en) * | 1971-07-29 | 1973-05-08 | L Johnson | Boat cradle for mobile trailers |
US4072119A (en) * | 1977-03-21 | 1978-02-07 | Williams Barney V | Vertical rising boat lift |
US4195732A (en) * | 1978-02-28 | 1980-04-01 | Great Northern Corporation | Supporting and spacing member for web material rolls |
US4500249A (en) * | 1981-02-18 | 1985-02-19 | Lars Johansson | Self-adjusting boat trailer cradle |
US4830249A (en) * | 1988-06-06 | 1989-05-16 | Paul Mirenda | Boat cradle and loading device for vehicle tops |
US4832196A (en) * | 1988-02-22 | 1989-05-23 | Great Northern Corporation | Packaging system for material rolls and improved structure for use therein |
US4854792A (en) * | 1986-12-15 | 1989-08-08 | Cougar Package Designers, Inc. | Bracing and cushioning system and method for transporting massive loads |
US5335888A (en) * | 1992-07-27 | 1994-08-09 | Thomsen Terry H | Forearm support cradle |
US5911187A (en) * | 1996-09-12 | 1999-06-15 | Sohm; Malcolm | Pontoon |
US6321678B1 (en) * | 2000-12-05 | 2001-11-27 | Steve Skulnick | Inflatable dingy chock |
US20030000019A1 (en) * | 2001-07-02 | 2003-01-02 | Sabrina Glaze | Hair style pillow |
US6550741B1 (en) * | 1999-10-06 | 2003-04-22 | Cougar Package Designers, Inc. | High load capacity cradle particularly for rolls and coils |
USD508453S1 (en) * | 2003-09-30 | 2005-08-16 | Roy Ahern | Keel cube |
US20060177271A1 (en) * | 2003-07-25 | 2006-08-10 | Maffett William C | Adjustable and extending transport cradle for watercraft |
US7111347B1 (en) * | 2005-04-18 | 2006-09-26 | Annette Marie Cottrell | Nursing wedge |
-
2009
- 2009-05-29 US US12/474,519 patent/US20090320739A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (25)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1321746A (en) * | 1919-11-11 | Liee-boat-securing device | ||
US756661A (en) * | 1903-12-11 | 1904-04-05 | Irving Arthur Lemm | Boat-chock. |
US819022A (en) * | 1905-10-28 | 1906-04-24 | Benjmane F Mchorney | Boat holding-down and detaching device. |
US850239A (en) * | 1906-04-14 | 1907-04-16 | William John Kivell | Boat launching and stowing apparatus. |
US1261768A (en) * | 1917-06-20 | 1918-04-09 | Patrick J Clancy | Deck-lashing for boats. |
US1515435A (en) * | 1924-06-30 | 1924-11-11 | William G Glover | Bilge block, keel block, and the like |
US2521938A (en) * | 1946-11-27 | 1950-09-12 | Nitenson Edward | Model boat cradle |
US2887203A (en) * | 1956-11-13 | 1959-05-19 | John E Baron | Load supporting member |
US3119127A (en) * | 1961-09-28 | 1964-01-28 | Norman S Blodgett | Boat trailer |
US3511191A (en) * | 1968-06-28 | 1970-05-12 | Foster Grant Co Inc | Pallets |
US3731826A (en) * | 1971-07-29 | 1973-05-08 | L Johnson | Boat cradle for mobile trailers |
US4072119A (en) * | 1977-03-21 | 1978-02-07 | Williams Barney V | Vertical rising boat lift |
US4195732A (en) * | 1978-02-28 | 1980-04-01 | Great Northern Corporation | Supporting and spacing member for web material rolls |
US4500249A (en) * | 1981-02-18 | 1985-02-19 | Lars Johansson | Self-adjusting boat trailer cradle |
US4854792A (en) * | 1986-12-15 | 1989-08-08 | Cougar Package Designers, Inc. | Bracing and cushioning system and method for transporting massive loads |
US4832196A (en) * | 1988-02-22 | 1989-05-23 | Great Northern Corporation | Packaging system for material rolls and improved structure for use therein |
US4830249A (en) * | 1988-06-06 | 1989-05-16 | Paul Mirenda | Boat cradle and loading device for vehicle tops |
US5335888A (en) * | 1992-07-27 | 1994-08-09 | Thomsen Terry H | Forearm support cradle |
US5911187A (en) * | 1996-09-12 | 1999-06-15 | Sohm; Malcolm | Pontoon |
US6550741B1 (en) * | 1999-10-06 | 2003-04-22 | Cougar Package Designers, Inc. | High load capacity cradle particularly for rolls and coils |
US6321678B1 (en) * | 2000-12-05 | 2001-11-27 | Steve Skulnick | Inflatable dingy chock |
US20030000019A1 (en) * | 2001-07-02 | 2003-01-02 | Sabrina Glaze | Hair style pillow |
US20060177271A1 (en) * | 2003-07-25 | 2006-08-10 | Maffett William C | Adjustable and extending transport cradle for watercraft |
USD508453S1 (en) * | 2003-09-30 | 2005-08-16 | Roy Ahern | Keel cube |
US7111347B1 (en) * | 2005-04-18 | 2006-09-26 | Annette Marie Cottrell | Nursing wedge |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: GRAND PACKAGING, LLC, MICHIGAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:CLARK, DAVID;LEVESQUE, ANDRE L.;REEL/FRAME:023206/0646;SIGNING DATES FROM 20090715 TO 20090901 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |