US4550925A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Boat dolly
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1983-11-02
•
Granted: 1985-11-05
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Expires: 2003-11-02
Abstract
Abstract A boat dolly for use with a multihull boat having right and left hull portions on opposite sides of a center skeg includes a first arm that closely fits between the right hull portion and the center skeg and a second arm that closely fits between the left hull portion and the center skeg. A backplate is affixed to first ends of the first and second arms and is adapted to abut the transom of the boat when the boat is positioned on the dolly. At least one support yoke assembly depends from the first and second arms and is adapted to closely fit the exterior of the center skeg. The support yoke transfers the load of the boat from the arms to a pair of wheels rotatably mounted on the support yoke assembly. The wheels provide mobility to the dolly. Preferably, the arms, backplate and support yoke assembly are of unitary construction and made of a nonporous plastic material. Also, preferably the first and second arms are hollow. At least one transom strap and a forward harness are provided to further secure the boat to the dolly.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen L. McDonough
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 05:18
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63C; B63C13/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
284 words
A boat dolly for use in conjunction with a boat of multihull construction, said boat including a right hull portion, a left hull portion, and a center hull portion joining said right and left hull portions, to define a tunnel between said right and left hull portions, a transom at the rear of said hull portions of said boat, and said boat further including a longitudinally extending center skeg, depending downwardly from said center hull portion within said tunnel, said right, left, and center hull portions and said skeg cooperating to define right and left channels on either side of said skeg, each channel having an upper surface defined by a bottom surface of said center hull portion, said dolly comprising: elongate first and second arms substantially parallel to one another and constructed and arranged such that each arm is of a size to form an interference fit within an associated one of said right and left channels, each of said first and second arms including an upper surface shaped to conform to the upper surface of its associated channel such that the boat is firmly but releasably held on said dolly by the interference fit beteen said arms and said channels; a backplate affixed to a first end of each of said first and second arms in orthogonal relation to said arms, said backplate constructed and arranged to abut the transom of said boat when said boat is on said dolly; a first support yoke depending from said first and second arms, said first support yoke being shaped correspondingly to the shape of said skeg and adapted to closely receive said skeg; and a pair of wheels rotatably mounted on said support yoke.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
284 words
A boat dolly for use in conjunction with a boat of multihull construction, said boat including a right hull portion, a left hull portion, and a center hull portion joining said right and left hull portions, to define a tunnel between said right and left hull portions, a transom at the rear of said hull portions of said boat, and said boat further including a longitudinally extending center skeg, depending downwardly from said center hull portion within said tunnel, said right, left, and center hull portions and said skeg cooperating to define right and left channels on either side of said skeg, each channel having an upper surface defined by a bottom surface of said center hull portion, said dolly comprising: elongate first and second arms substantially parallel to one another and constructed and arranged such that each arm is of a size to form an interference fit within an associated one of said right and left channels, each of said first and second arms including an upper surface shaped to conform to the upper surface of its associated channel such that the boat is firmly but releasably held on said dolly by the interference fit beteen said arms and said channels; a backplate affixed to a first end of each of said first and second arms in orthogonal relation to said arms, said backplate constructed and arranged to abut the transom of said boat when said boat is on said dolly; a first support yoke depending from said first and second arms, said first support yoke being shaped correspondingly to the shape of said skeg and adapted to closely receive said skeg; and a pair of wheels rotatably mounted on said support yoke.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The boat dolly of claim 1, further including at least one transom strap attached at a first end thereof to said backplate and having a first hook means attached to a second end thereof, said hook means adapted for being removably attached to the hull of said boat when said boat is mounted on said dolly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
108 words
The boat dolly of claim 2, further including a forward harness assembly including a first elongate bow strap having attached at a first end thereof the first ends of first and second elongate branch straps such that said bow strap and said branch straps are configured in a Y configuration, a second end of each of said branch straps being attached to a second end of each of the elongate arms, a second end of said bow strap having a second hook means attached thereto, said second hook means being adapted for removable attachment to the bow of said boat when said boat is mounted on said dolly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The boat dolly of claim 3, further including first adjustable buckle means mounted on said transom strap and second adjustable buckle means mounted on said bow strap for adjusting the length of said transom strap and said bow strap.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The boat dolly of claim 4, further including a second transom strap affixed at a first end thereof to said backplate and having a third hook means attached to a second end of said second transom strap.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The boat dolly of claim 5, further including third adjustable buckle means mounted on said second transom strap for adjusting the length of said second transom strap.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The boat dolly of claim 2, wherein said first transom strap is an elastomeric member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The boat dolly of claim 3, wherein said bow strap is an elastomeric member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The boat dolly of claim 1, further including first and second axle support members depending from said first support yoke; and an axle rotatably mounted within said axle support members, said wheels being rotatably attached to respective first and second ends of said axle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The boat dolly of claim 9, wherein said wheels have pneumatic tires mounted thereon.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
The boat dolly of claim 1, further including a second support yoke depending from said first and second elongate arms, said second support yoke being positioned such that when the boat is mounted on said dolly said second support yoke is intermediate of the bow of said boat and said first support yoke.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The boat dolly of claim 11, wherein said first and second support yokes are of a size such that they are adapted to closely fit the exterior of said center skeg.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The boat dolly of claim 1, wherein said backplate is of a height shorter than the transom of said boat.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
The boat dolly of claim 11, wherein said first and second elongate arms, backplate, first and second support yokes, and said first and second axle supports are integrally formed of a nonporous nonmetallic material and wherein further said first and second elongate arms are closed hollow members, said dolly being buoyant.
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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) | 1988-11-04 | 1989-05-06 | 1989-11-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-11-04 | 1993-05-06 | 1993-11-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-11-04 | 1997-05-06 | 1997-11-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |