Patent US3785677A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3785677A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Boat support for trailers
Assignee: Calkins Manufacturing Co
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Filing: 1972-01-03
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Granted: 1974-01-15
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Expires: 1992-01-03
Abstract
Abstract A boat support designed to accommodate changes in the load distribution on a boat trailer. Self-balancing hull support roller assemblies are combined on a supporting framework together with a bow securing assembly. Limited movement is provided on the framework between the bow securing assembly and the hull supporting assembly to permit self-balancing of the hull supporting assembly independently of the bow securing assembly. Such movement can be provided by a limited pivotal connection between the trailer framework and tongue of the trailer, by walking beam supports for multiple hull supporting assemblies or by an arrangement which allows limited elevational movement of the bow securing assembly relative to the trailer framework.
Inventors
- 👤 O Calkins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 23:02
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60P; B60P3/00; B60P3/06; B60P3/10; B60P3/1033; B60P3/1066
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
In a boat trailer: a wheel-supported longitudinal framework adapted to be pulled by a towing vehicle for road travel while carrying a boat in a loaded position on the trailer; bow securing means mounted at the forward end of the framework for attachment to the bow of a boat in a loaded position on the trailer during road travel to prevent longitudinal motion of the loaded boat relative to the trailer; self-balancing hull support means operably mounted at each side of said framework about a common fulcrum, said hull support means being free of rigid attachment to said bow securing means; said self-balancing hull support means being composed of spaced elements respectively engaged with the underside of a boat in a loaded position on the trailer during road travel and serving as the only elevational support for the boat, said elements being paired on rigid frames pivotally mounted intermediate each pair of elements so as to permit momentary reapportionment of load during road travel between the paired elements independently of said bow securing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
174 words
In a boat trailer: a wheel-supported longitudinal framework adapted to be pulled by a towing vehicle for road travel while carrying a boat in a loaded position on the trailer; bow securing means mounted at the forward end of the framework for attachment to the bow of a boat in a loaded position on the trailer during road travel to prevent longitudinal motion of the loaded boat relative to the trailer; self-balancing hull support means operably mounted at each side of said framework about a common fulcrum, said hull support means being free of rigid attachment to said bow securing means; said self-balancing hull support means being composed of spaced elements respectively engaged with the underside of a boat in a loaded position on the trailer during road travel and serving as the only elevational support for the boat, said elements being paired on rigid frames pivotally mounted intermediate each pair of elements so as to permit momentary reapportionment of load during road travel between the paired elements independently of said bow securing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
A boat trailer as set out in claim 1 wherein said elements are longitudinally paired and mounted on longitudinal frames pivoted about transverse pivot axes located intermediate each pair of elements for balancing of the load distribution between the paired elements about the respective axis of the frame on which they are mounted.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A boat trailer as set out in claim 1 wherein said elements are all mounted to longitudinal walking beams extending longitudinally along the framework and pivotally connected thereto about an axis intermediate their ends constituting said common fulcrum.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
A boat trailer as set out in claim 1 further comprising: a lost motion connection between the bow securing means and said framework for permitting free vertical movement of the bow support means relative to the framework and relative to said hull support means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
72 words
A boat trailer as set out in claim 1 wherein the movable support means comprises a vertically slotted bracket on an upright mast fixed to the framework; an upright bracket adapted to be secured to the bow of a boat when loaded on the trailer; and a transverse pivotal shaft mounting the bow bracket to the slotted bracket on the mast for limited vertical movement of the bow bracket along said slot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus as set out in claim 5 further comprising: shock absorbing means operatively connected between the bow bracket and mast for dampening vertical movement of the bow bracket relative to the mast.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
A boat trailer as set out in claim 1 wherein the wheel-supported framework comprises a substantially rigid main frame carrying said hull support means and elevationally supported by a transverse wheel assembly; and a longitudinal tongue extending forward from the main frame, said tongue being pivotally connected to the main frame about a transverse axis located forwardly of the wheel assembly.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
84 words
A boat trailer as set out in claim 1 wherein the wheel-supported framework comprises a substantially rigid main frame carrying said hull support means and elevationally supported by a transverse wheel assembly; a longitudinal tongue extending forward from the main frame, said tongue being pivotally connecteD to the frame about a transverse axis located forwardly of the wheel assembly; and stop means on said frame and tongue for limiting the angular extent of pivotal movement between the tongue and main frame about said axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
125 words
In a boat trailer: a wheel-supported longitudinal framework adapted to be pulled by a towing vehicle for road travel while carrying a boat in a loaded position on the trailer; hull support means mounted at each side of said framework for engagement with the underside of a boat in a loaded position on the trailer during road travel; an upright mast on the framework forward of said hull support means; and bow securing means freely vertically movably mounted to said mast for attachment to the bow of a boat in a loaded position on the trailer during road travel to prevent longitudinal motion of the loaded boat relative to the trailer while permitting free vertical movement of said bow securing means relative to the mast.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
125 words
In a boat trailer: a wheel-supported longitudinal framework adapted to be pulled by a towing vehicle for road travel while carrying a boat in a loaded position on the trailer; hull support means mounted at each side of said framework for engagement with the underside of a boat in a loaded position on the trailer during road travel; an upright mast on the framework forward of said hull support means; and bow securing means freely vertically movably mounted to said mast for attachment to the bow of a boat in a loaded position on the trailer during road travel to prevent longitudinal motion of the loaded boat relative to the trailer while permitting free vertical movement of said bow securing means relative to the mast.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
A boat trailer as set out in claim 9 further comprising: a lost motion connection operatively interposed between said bow securing means and said mast permitting said free vertical movement of said bow securing means relative to the mast.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
A boat trailer as set out in claim 9 further comprising: shock absorbing means operatively connected between the bow securing means and said mast for dampening vertical movement of the bow securing means relative to said mast.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-14 | 1977-07-16 | 1978-01-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-14 | 1981-07-16 | 1982-01-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-14 | 1985-07-16 | 1986-01-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |