Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
207 words
A boat loading and unloading mechanism for elevating a boat to the top carrying position on a vehicle comprising: (a) a load supporting frame means for carrying a load above a vehicle, said frame means including transversely positioned support elements, at least one of said support elements being a rotatively mounted roller means; (b) first and second running lines wrapped about said roller means exiting forwardly from the bottom thereof, said lines being trained about a forwardly positioned support element and extending rearwardly therefrom across the top of said roller means, each of said running lines having a straddle rigging means at the end thereof for straddle attachment to forwardly and rearwardly located lifting locations positioned adjacent a respective gunwale of a boat, said rearwardly positioned lifting location on each gunwale being positioned forwardly of the transom of said boat a distance less than the height of said roller means from the ground surface upon which the vehicle is positioned, said forwardly positioned lifting location being positioned forwardly of the transom a distance exceeding the height of said roller above said ground surface; whereby rotation of said boat into a position with the transom thereof on the ground causes said straddle rigging means to engage said roller.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
207 words
A boat loading and unloading mechanism for elevating a boat to the top carrying position on a vehicle comprising: (a) a load supporting frame means for carrying a load above a vehicle, said frame means including transversely positioned support elements, at least one of said support elements being a rotatively mounted roller means; (b) first and second running lines wrapped about said roller means exiting forwardly from the bottom thereof, said lines being trained about a forwardly positioned support element and extending rearwardly therefrom across the top of said roller means, each of said running lines having a straddle rigging means at the end thereof for straddle attachment to forwardly and rearwardly located lifting locations positioned adjacent a respective gunwale of a boat, said rearwardly positioned lifting location on each gunwale being positioned forwardly of the transom of said boat a distance less than the height of said roller means from the ground surface upon which the vehicle is positioned, said forwardly positioned lifting location being positioned forwardly of the transom a distance exceeding the height of said roller above said ground surface; whereby rotation of said boat into a position with the transom thereof on the ground causes said straddle rigging means to engage said roller.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said forwardly positioned support element is a rotatively mounted roller means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1 and transom engaging bumper means positioned rearwardly adjacent said vehicle to engage the transom of said boat during initial upward rotation thereof during loading.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said straddle rigging means each are comprised of a forward and rear straddle line, each straddle line connected at one end to said running line and at the other end having a terminal fitting adapted to releasably engage a complimentary fitting positioned at said lifting locations.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
224 words
A boat loading mechanism for raising and lowering a boat to and from an upside-down stored position on a framework having a front, a rear and sides, said framework positioned and supported substantially horizontally above a support surface, said mechanism comprising: (a) a first roller means mounted and supported for rotation upon said framework, said roller means positioned transversely upon said framework and adjacent said rear of said framework; (b) at least one additional transversely positioned support member carried by said framework for supporting a boat thereon; (c) running line means adapted to extend from said front of said framework over said first roller means to a boat engaging position, said running line means including straddle attachment means for attachment at front and rear attachment points near the gunwale of said boat, the distance from said transom to said rear attachment points being less than the distance from said support surface to said roller and the distance from said transom to said front attachment points being greater than the distance from said support surface to said roller whereby, upon raising the boat, the rear run of said straddle attachment means engages and bends about said first roller means, thereby inducing vertical movement of said boat at a substantial mechanical advantage while inducing rotation of said boat about said first roller means onto said framework.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
224 words
A boat loading mechanism for raising and lowering a boat to and from an upside-down stored position on a framework having a front, a rear and sides, said framework positioned and supported substantially horizontally above a support surface, said mechanism comprising: (a) a first roller means mounted and supported for rotation upon said framework, said roller means positioned transversely upon said framework and adjacent said rear of said framework; (b) at least one additional transversely positioned support member carried by said framework for supporting a boat thereon; (c) running line means adapted to extend from said front of said framework over said first roller means to a boat engaging position, said running line means including straddle attachment means for attachment at front and rear attachment points near the gunwale of said boat, the distance from said transom to said rear attachment points being less than the distance from said support surface to said roller and the distance from said transom to said front attachment points being greater than the distance from said support surface to said roller whereby, upon raising the boat, the rear run of said straddle attachment means engages and bends about said first roller means, thereby inducing vertical movement of said boat at a substantial mechanical advantage while inducing rotation of said boat about said first roller means onto said framework.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the frame is operatively associated with a subjacent vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said running line means comprises a pair of substantially parallel running line.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said running line means is wrapped about said roller a plurality of full turns and exits therefrom at the bottom of said roller, extending forwardly to and bending about said additional support member, thence traversing the top of said roller to a boat engaging position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 5 or 8 wherein said additional support member is a roller mounted for rotation in said framework about an axis substantially parallel to said first roller means.