US3682335A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Launching device for boat trailers
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-06-11
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Granted: 1972-08-08
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Expires: 1990-06-11
Abstract
Abstract A device for launching a boat from a boat trailer having running gear, a frame mounted on said running gear for supporting a boat thereon, a tongue extending from the front end of said frame and a winch mounted on said tongue and having a cable windable thereon, said device comprising a pair of guide members in transverse relationship on opposite sides of said frame and positioned above the horizontal plane of said frame, a bridle extending around the bow of a boat on said frame and then rearwardly along the opposite sides of said boat through said guide members and then forwardly toward said winch, and yoke means interposed between said winch and said guide members for connecting said winch cable to said bridle. The yoke means is comprised of a plate having a plurality of slots originating from an enlarged opening, knots in the bridle are passable through said enlarged opening but not through the slots. The device, according to the present invention, is such that in addition to facilitating the launching of the boats from trailers, it is at all times easily accessible and also adjustable to the particular boat trailer combination.
Inventors
- 👤 William P Smyth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 15:18
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60P; B60P3/00; B60P3/06; B60P3/10; B60P3/1033; B60P3/1066
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
An adjustable device for lauching a boat from a boat trailer having a running gear, a frame mounted on said running gear for supporting a boat thereon, a tongue extending from the front end of said frame and a winch mounted on said tongue and having a cable windable thereon, said device comprising: a. a pair of guide members in transverse relationship on said frame; b. a plate interposed between the winch and said guide members including; i. an opening therethrough; and ii. a pair of slots in said plate extending from said opening; c. an adjustable bridle having ends extending around the bow of a boat on side frame and then rearwardly along the opposite sides of the boat through said pair of guide members on said frame and then forwardly through said plate where the end portions of said bridle had enlarged areas adapted to pass through said opening but not through said slots in said plate for operatively connecting said bridle to said plate in an adjustable manner; and d. means for connecting said winch cable to said bridle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
An adjustable device for lauching a boat from a boat trailer having a running gear, a frame mounted on said running gear for supporting a boat thereon, a tongue extending from the front end of said frame and a winch mounted on said tongue and having a cable windable thereon, said device comprising: a. a pair of guide members in transverse relationship on said frame; b. a plate interposed between the winch and said guide members including; i. an opening therethrough; and ii. a pair of slots in said plate extending from said opening; c. an adjustable bridle having ends extending around the bow of a boat on side frame and then rearwardly along the opposite sides of the boat through said pair of guide members on said frame and then forwardly through said plate where the end portions of said bridle had enlarged areas adapted to pass through said opening but not through said slots in said plate for operatively connecting said bridle to said plate in an adjustable manner; and d. means for connecting said winch cable to said bridle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
A device for launching a boat from a boat trailer as defined in claim 1 which further comprises a second pair of guide members in transverse relationship on opposite sides of and in proximity to the front of said frame and positioned above the horizontal plane of said frame.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The device for launching a boat from a boat trailer as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for connecting the winch cable to the bridle comprises a hook associated with said winch cable engageable with the centrally located opening of the yoke means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device for launching a boat from a boat trailer as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for connecting the winch cable to the bridle comprises a hook associated with said winch cable engageable with one end of said bridle.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
217 words
A device for launching a boat from a boat trailer having running gear, a frame mounted on said running geaR for supporting a boat thereon, a tongue extending from the front end of said frame and an elevated winch mounted on said tongue and having a cable windable thereon, said device comprising: a. a guide member mounted below said winch on said tongue and above the horizontal plane of said frame for guiding said winch cable; b. a pair of guide members in transverse relationship on opposite sides of said frame and positioned above the horizontal plane of said frame; c. bridle securing means interposed between the guide member on said tongue and the guide members on said frame; d. an adjustable bridle having ends extending around the bow of a boat on said frame and then rearwardly along the opposite sides of said boat through the guide members on said frame and then forwardly where said ends are connected to said bridle securing means and where at least one end is adapted to be connected to said bridle securing means at a plurality of locations to provide a bridle of adjustable operative length; and e. means for connecting said winch cable to said bridle, to thereby provide a launching device which is easily accessible and adjustable.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
217 words
A device for launching a boat from a boat trailer having running gear, a frame mounted on said running geaR for supporting a boat thereon, a tongue extending from the front end of said frame and an elevated winch mounted on said tongue and having a cable windable thereon, said device comprising: a. a guide member mounted below said winch on said tongue and above the horizontal plane of said frame for guiding said winch cable; b. a pair of guide members in transverse relationship on opposite sides of said frame and positioned above the horizontal plane of said frame; c. bridle securing means interposed between the guide member on said tongue and the guide members on said frame; d. an adjustable bridle having ends extending around the bow of a boat on said frame and then rearwardly along the opposite sides of said boat through the guide members on said frame and then forwardly where said ends are connected to said bridle securing means and where at least one end is adapted to be connected to said bridle securing means at a plurality of locations to provide a bridle of adjustable operative length; and e. means for connecting said winch cable to said bridle, to thereby provide a launching device which is easily accessible and adjustable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
The device for launching a boat from a boat trailer as defined in claim 5 which further comprises a second pair of guide members in transverse relationship on opposite sides of and in proximity to the front of said frame and positioned above the horizontal plane of said frame.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
68 words
The device for launching a boat from a boat trailer as defined in claim 5 wherein the yoke means comprises: a. a metal plate having a centrally located opening; b. a pair of slots in said metal plate transversely originating at said opening; and c. said opening and said slots being dimensioned such that knots in said bridle will pass through side opening but not through said slots.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The device for launching a boat from a boat trailer as defined in claim 7 wherein the means for connecting the winch cable to the bridle comprises a hook associated with said winch cable engageable with the centrally located opening of the yoke means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device for launching a boat from a boat trailer as defined in claim 7 wherein the means for connecting the winch cable to the bridle comprises a hook associated with said winch cable engageable with one end of said bridle.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
256 words
A device for launching a boat from a boat trailer having running gear, a frame mounted on said running gear for supporting a boat thereon, a tongue extending from the front end of said frame and an elevated winch mounted on said tongue and having a cable windable thereon, said device comprising: a. a first guide member mounted below said winch on said tongue and positioned above the horizontal plane of said frame; b. a second guide member mounted on and to one side of the center line of said frame whereby said winch cable may be guided to said first guide member when the winch cable cannot pass directly from the winch to the first guide member; c. a pair of guide members in transverse relationship on opposite sides of said frame and positioned above the horizontal plane of said frame; d. yoke means interposed between the first guide member and the pair of guide members on said frame; e. an adjustable bridle having ends extending around the bow of a boat on said frame and then rearwardly along the opposite sides of said boat through the pair of guide members on said frame and then forwardly where said ends are connected to said yoke means and where one end is adapted to be connected to said yoke means at a plurality of locations to provide a bridle of adjustable operative length; and f. means for connecting said winch cable to said bridle, to thereby provide a launching device which is easily accessible and adjustable.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
256 words
A device for launching a boat from a boat trailer having running gear, a frame mounted on said running gear for supporting a boat thereon, a tongue extending from the front end of said frame and an elevated winch mounted on said tongue and having a cable windable thereon, said device comprising: a. a first guide member mounted below said winch on said tongue and positioned above the horizontal plane of said frame; b. a second guide member mounted on and to one side of the center line of said frame whereby said winch cable may be guided to said first guide member when the winch cable cannot pass directly from the winch to the first guide member; c. a pair of guide members in transverse relationship on opposite sides of said frame and positioned above the horizontal plane of said frame; d. yoke means interposed between the first guide member and the pair of guide members on said frame; e. an adjustable bridle having ends extending around the bow of a boat on said frame and then rearwardly along the opposite sides of said boat through the pair of guide members on said frame and then forwardly where said ends are connected to said yoke means and where one end is adapted to be connected to said yoke means at a plurality of locations to provide a bridle of adjustable operative length; and f. means for connecting said winch cable to said bridle, to thereby provide a launching device which is easily accessible and adjustable.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
The device for launching a boat from a boat trailer as defined in claim 10 which further comprises a second pair of guide members in transverse relationship on opposite sides of and in proximity to the front of Said frame and positioned above the horizontal plane of said frame.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
68 words
The device for launching a boat from a boat trailer as defined in claim 10 wherein the yoke means comprises: a. a metal plate having a centrally located opening; b. a pair of slots in said metal plate transversely originating at said opening; and c. said opening and said slots being dimensioned such that knots in said bridle will pass through said opening but not through said slots.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
44 words
The device for launching a boat from a boat trailer as defined in claim 12 wherein the means for connecting the winch cable to the bridle comprises a hook associated with said winch cable engageable with the centrally located opening of the yoke means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device for launching a boat from a boat trailer as defined in claim 12 wherein the means for connecting the winch cable to the bridle comprises a hook associated with said winch cable engageable with one end of said bridle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-08 | 1976-02-07 | 1976-08-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-08 | 1980-02-07 | 1980-08-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-08 | 1984-02-07 | 1984-08-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |