US3372817A - Boat moving and storage apparatus - Google Patents

Description

MarchlZ, 1968 H. E. CONKLIN BOAT MOVING AND STORAGE APPARATUS Filed Feb. 10, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 1.

.- 15. II L 23 FIGURE I F/IGURE I2 AT TORNE X a Homer E Co /(1m IN I NTOR.

March 12, 1968 H CONKLIN 3,372,817

BOAT MOVING AND STORAGE APPARATUS Filed Feb. 10, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIGURE 4 March 12, 1968 CONKLlN 3,372,817

BOAT MOVING AND STORAGE APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 HGURZE 6 Homer E. (Con/(Un INVENTOR.

A TTORNE Y.

March 12, 1968 H, CONKU 3,372,817

BOAT MOVING AND STORAGE APPARATUS Filed Feb. 10, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIGURE l/I March 12, 1968 H. E. CONKLIN 3,372,817

BOAT MOVING AND STORAGE APPARATUS Filed Feb. 10, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIGURE I3 Homer E Col qr}, INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,372,817 BOAT MOVING AND STORAGE APPARATUS Homer E. Conklin, Spirit Lake, Idaho 83869 Filed Feb. 10, 1966, 591'. N0. 526,576 6 Claims. (Cl. 214-16.4)

This invention relates generally to an apparatus for delivering boats between water they are to ply and adja cent storage facilities, and more particularly to such an apparatus that is automatic in its operation, after manual activation, and is adaptable to use with existing floored storage facilities.

Because of the deleterious effects of water and its surrounding environment upon small craft, particularly those of modern design, construction and materials, it is desirable and often necessary to store such craft during periods of non-use in protected areas. With increased numbers and use of such small craft, individual storage facilities have become increasingly non-desirable and have been replaced to a degree by more desirable group storage facilities of varying natures.

Such group storage facilities, to provide adequate protection to small craft from the physical deterioration brought about by such environmental conditions, must be separated from the Water, but yet adjacent to it to allow for convenient transportation between storage facility and water. With storage facilities of this nature, there is required some appropriate means of transporting small craft between such areas.

Heretofore apparatus of varying types for aocomplish ing this purpose has become known. In general such apparatus has devolved along two principal lines: firstly, that requiring an operator; and secondly, that opefating automatically or semi-automatically after actuation. Apparatus of the first type uses some manually operated conveying means generally of the crane type, often a vehicular mouted cranej; apparatus of this nature is com-' plex, initially costly, and relatively more costly in operatiorr and maintenance, because of the requirement of the skilled operator. Apparatus of the second class, though oftentimes not requiring the services of a skilled operator, has generally required extensive specialized structures and mechanism of a specialized,particular kind and is therefore not useable with existing structures without extensive modification and great initial capital expenditure.

With these thoughts and this background in mind, it 1s:

A principal object of my invention to provide an apparatus, to transport small craft between storage facilities and launching site, that maybe used with existing storage facilities adjacent to such launching site.

A further object of my invention to provide a device of the nature aforesaid that is completely cable-activated by, cable powered by means remote from the launching site.

A still further object of my invention to provide a device of the nature aforesaid that has no submerged electrical parts and maintains the-principaloperating apparatus at a distance from the water.

A still further object of my invention to provide a device of the nature aforesaid that may be completely automatic in its operation, after manual institution thereof. v

A still further object of my invention to provide a device of the nature aforesaid that operates either to launch a stored boat or store a launched boat with equal facility.

A still further object of my invention to provide a device of the nature aforesaid that is of new and novel design, of simple and economic rnanfacture, of rugged "ice and durable nature, and well adapted to the use for which it is intended.

Other and further objects of my invention will appear from the following drawings, specification and claims which form a part of this application.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers of reference refer to similar parts throughout:

FIGURE 1 is an orthographic plan view of an installation embodying my invention, showing the adjacent storage facility.

FIGURE 2 is an orthographic side view of a small craft, shown in dashed outline, on its cart, positioned upon the transport carriage of my invention.

.FIGURE 3 is an orthographic top view of the empty boat cart of FIGURE 2, partially upon the carriage of my invention.

FIGURE 4 is an orthographic front: view of the boat cart of FIGURE 2 taken from the outer end of the carriage of my invention.

FIGURE 5 is a partial orthographic top view of the carriage of my invention showing in detail its parts, their relationship and operation.

FIGURE 6 is a partial orthographic side view of the carriage shown in FIGURE 5, again showing the various parts, their configuration and cooperation from this viewpoint.

FIGURE 7 is a semi-diagrammatic representation of the several parts of the cable system of my invention.

FIGURE 8 is an orthographic top view of the unrigged carriage boom of my invention, showing its parts and their operation.

FIGURE 9 is a vertical orthographic side view of the same boom as shown in FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged orthographic cross-sectional view of the main boom of FIGURE 8, taken on the line 10-10 thereon, in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 11 is an orthographic cross-sectional view of the outer boom of FIGURE 8, taken on the line 1111 thereon, in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 12 is an enlarged orthographic side view of the non-fouling chock used to support the moving cable of my invention in the central cable channel.

FIGURE 13 is a semi-diagrammatic representation of the operating facilities of my invention, showing their configuration and relationship.

FIGURE 14 is an isometric view of a stopping chock of my invention showing the preferred means of stopping the carriage at a particular boat storage position.

FIGURE 15 is a vertical orthographic view of the chock of FIGURE 13, showing the configuration and operation of the various parts of the chock.

FIGURE 16 is a horizontal orthographic view of the chock of FIGURE 13, again showing the configuration and operation fromthis view.

Referring now to the drawings in greater detail and particularly to that of FIGURE 1, it will be seen that my invention includes carriage mechanism 20, with extensible boom 21, plying tract 22 communicating between storage area 23 and launching site 24. The invention is activated by cable system 25 responding to motion imparted thereto by prime mover 26. Associated with the invention are boats 27, to be moved thereby, carried upon cradling carts 28 rollably supported upon the storage area.

Storage area 23 may be any substantially flat, planar surface of sufficient rigidity to support cradling carts 28 and allow them to roll there-across. The storage area floor 29 may be at water level, at ground level or above, as desired, or several such areas may be arranged at vertically differing positions over the same ground area.

3 level, though other structurally rigid materials will serve its purpose. The positioning of storage area 23 is preferably adjacent launching site 24, but it must be so located that track 22 may communicate between the storage area and the launching site.

Track system 22 communicates from one peripheral edge of storage area 23, preferably in a substantlally straight course, to launching site 24. The system comprises two parallel, spaced rails positioned on concrete apron 31 in a fixed relationship with the earth. Rails 30 may be of the ordinary variety of light mine rail of commerce, having lower fastening flange 32 supporting rail body 33.

Launching site 24 in the adjacent body of water the launched boat is to ply, must be of sufiicient depth to allow proper launching of small craft 27 from cradling cart 28 when on carriage mechanism 20. Track system 22 communicates to this launching site along the bottom of the body of water in question. Preferably an ancillary dock (not shown) will provide auxiliary access to a small craft 27 after its launching from my invention, though this is merely a structure of convenience.

Small craft 27 to be operated upon by the invention are each provided with an individual cradling cart 28 as shown in FIGURES 2, 3 and 4. This cart is of the ordinary A frame variety of commerce, having side members 34 structurally joined by appropriate medial cross members 42 shaped in their upper projections to provide a cradle support for the small craft supported thereby. Such cradling may be designed to accept many various shapes and sizes of small craft 27 and when necessary, may be modified by appropriate blocking (not shown) to accept even more, all as well known in the art. The cradling cart is adapted for locomotion across storage area 23 and carriage 20 by wheels 35 rotatably carried by depending flanges 36 supported by wheel cross supports 43 structurally carried by side members 34. Wheel flanges 36 have outwardly projecting dogs 37 adapted to fit under appropriate supports 59 on carriage mechanism 21 when in launching position thereon, to prevent the cradling cart from floating off the carriage mechanism when at the launching site, if it have physical properties of a nature causing it so to do. The forward apex of the side members forms tongue 38 carrying depending pick-up catch 39, having fastening block 40 structurally communicating between side members 34, and elongate laterally extending catch member 41 adapted to communicate releasably with the catch mechanism of extensible boom 21 to properly direct motion of the catching mechanism relative to the cart.

Carriage mechanism 20 is formed by the structural joinder of forward cart rail 44 and parallel rearward cart rail 45 by cross members 46, provided with rearward projections 47 to provide support for the walk Way 51. I prefer to join these frame members by permanent means such as welding, as no subsequent adjustment after construction is likely to be necessary. The carriage is adapted for motion on track 22 by means of depending flanged wheels 48 supported on cross members 46 by Wheel flanges 50 rotatably journaling axles 49 supporting the wheels. These Wheels 48 may have either single or double flange, so long as they provide means for maintenance upon rails 30.

Walk way 51 is provided at the rear of carriage mechanism 20 to allow a boat operator easy access to a small craft in the launching area without getting wet. The walk member is formed with peripheral supporting frame 52 and cross members 53 carrying expanded wire mesh flooring 54. The walk is supported on rearward projections 4-7 of cross members 46 by upwardly extending structurally communicating posts 55 cross-braced by the rods 56 to provide a rigid communication therebetween.

Cart rails 44, 45 are formed of U shaped channel Willi closed outer end 57 and flared inner end 58 adapted to rollably receive wheels 35 of the cradling carts and maintain them thereon. Cart wheel catch 59 is positioned on the outer side of each cart rail, at its juncture with the cross members 46, to engage wheel flange dogs 37 of the cart wheels to prevent the cradling cart from floating as aforesaid. This catch 59 is a short piece of U shaped channel structurally communicating with the cart rails in such fashion that its legs project inwardly and so positioned that the lower flange 60 communicates with the cart rail and the upper flange 61 slideably communicates with the upper surface of cart wheel dog 37, when cardling cart 28 is in launching position of the carriage mechanism. The cart rails must be shaped and dimensioned to allow cradling carts 28 to be positioned thereon, and thus are limited in this regard by the corresponding physical dimensions of the launching carts, as seen in the illustrations of FIGURES 2 and 3. Obviously this dimensioning is variable to accommodate various craft.

To avoid an unnecessarily heavy construction of cart rails 44, 45 and cross members 46, I prefer to use sup ports 62, downwardly angled appropriately to act as trusses, to give additional structural rigidity to the carriage 20. These supports 62, if used, however, must obviously be so positioned as not to interfere with the operating mechanism of the carriage as herein set forth.

The extensible boom 21 is a composite member having stationary boom member 63, movable boom member 64 extensively carried thereby and boom cart 65 slideably carried thereby and boom cart 65 slideable carried by extensible boom 64. The detailed structure of the boom is best illustrated in the drawings of FIGURES 8, 9 and 10, where it will be seen that the stationary boom member has two spaced side beams 66 joined by the end cross pieces 67; each side member 66 has a similar opposed inwardly projecting tenon 68 adapted to engage and slideably communicate with cooperating opposed outwardly extending tenons 152 in extensible boom 64 carried between side members 66. The extensible boom is formed from channel member 69 with channel 71 in the upper surface adapted to slideably receive boom cart 65 for motion therein. Roller wheels are journaled in the rearward or inner part of stationary boom 63 to rollably support the extensible boom member in the stationary boom between the side members 66. Roller wheel 153, journaled on the lower forward end of stationary boom 63, provides rolling support While beam 64 is in lateral motion.

The stationary boom is provided with rearward pulley 72 journaled on stud shaft 73 within the channel between side members 66. Forward stationary boom pulley 74 is positioned on forward lateral part of the same boom on stud shaft 75 rotatably carried by outwardly projecting pulley ears 76. Medial stationary boom pulleys 97 and 147 are rotatably positioned on the lower middle part of the boom, journaled in the outwardly projecting pulley ears 154, 155 on stud shafts 156, 157. Rearward movable pulley 77 is journaled on stud shaft 78 rotatably carried by rearwardly extending pulley ears 79 structurally carried by the rearward portion of extensible boom 69. Forward movable pulley 80 is rotatably carried upon stud shaft 81 journaled in the forwardly projecting pulley ears 82, slightly angled, as illustrated, to allow for proper motion of cable thereacross,

Boom cart 65 is formed with body member 83 having downwardly depending rib 84, to align and stop the memher in channel 71 of extensible boom 69 and forward catch plate 85 having the walled, funnel-like catch member 86 with laterally extending Wing-like catch guards 87, adapted to engage pick-up catch 39 of a cradling cart upon appropriate engagement therewith. The shape of these members is best illustrated in the cross-sectional drawing of FIGURE 10.

The cable activating system of my invention is seen best in gross in the diagrammatic representation of FIG- URE 7. It comprises a continuous cable 88 activated by a reversible prime mover 39. I prefer that prime mover 89 be an electric motor reducibly geared to frictionally faced double driving pulleys 90', whereon cable 88 is doubly wrapped to provide non-slipping movement of the cable in response to rotary motion of the pulleys. The prime mover may be placed in the cable system at any point where it will supply motion to the cable, but I prefer to position it out of the water in a central position on the storage area as illustrated in FIGURE 1. I prefer that it have remote switching means for activation 91 and for a determination of forward motion 92 and rearward motion 93.

Portion 88a of the cable communicates with the double driving pulleys by passing around the upper pulley, thence out to idler 145, back around the lower drive pulley and back outward around rearward motor pulley 94, all of such pulleys but driving pulleys 90 being rotatably mounted on vertical axles supported by apron 31. The cable part 8811 then passes over rearward storage pulleys 95 and 96, each again journaled for rotation in a horizontal plane at the rear of the carriage track area and thence to the carriage mechanism.

The cable part 88c enters the boom mechanism about medial stationary boom pulley 97, passing thence over forward stationary boom pulley 74; thence over extendible boom pulley 77; thence over forward extendible boom pulley 80 and back over rearward stationary boom pulley 72 to medial stationary pulley 147, then to exit. The boom cart 65 is positioned on the cable 88c between the forward extensible boom pulley 80 and rearward stationary boom pulley 72 as hereinafter more particularly specified.

Cable part 88d forms the forward loop of the cable circuit after leaving the carriage boom by passing over forward launching area pulleys 98 and 99, positioned for horizontal rotation in the forward launching area, thence over forward motor pulley 100 to join the cable part 88a previously described to form a complete endless cable circuit.

I prefer to use ordinary multi-strand spiral wound steel cable 88 in my invention, and I have found that such a cable of ordinary commerce of one-fourth inch diameter is normally sufficient for my purposes.

The activating mechanism is shown in gross in FIG- URES 1 through 4, and in detail best in FIGURES 5 and 6. This mechanism is supported between cross members 46a, 46b of the carriage and is essentially a symmetrical arrangement of parts on each side of the boom mechanism to provide for motion in either direction as the moving operation requires. In view of this, the mechanism will be described, in detail, principally on one side of the boom and it is to be assumed to be a mirror image on the other side, unless specifically otherwise indicated.

Tripping bar 101 is pivotably mounted on the axle 102 extending under and structurally communicating with stationary boom 66 as shown in FIGURE 3. It pivotably and slideably communicates by pin 144 to slot 146 extending vertically in the upper part of arm 103. Hook arm 103 thence extends downward to pivotably communicate with the central portion of the body of hook member 104. Hook 104 is an elongate member, as illustrated, of sufficient length to pivotably communicate with bell crank 105, which in turn is pivotably supported by axle 106 journaled in cross members 46a and spring biased as indicated by extension spring 107.

The cable catch has a rigidly fixed upper part 108 and pivotable lower part 109, spring biased to a normally closed position by paired extension springs 110; its shape is similar to that of a split funnel to aid in engaging and directing cable stops 121 coming in contact therewith. Lower part 109 of the cable catch is pivotably mounted on axle 111, journaled in the carriage frame 46a, 46b. This axle 111 also pivotably carries hook securing rod 112, having stop 113, appropriately positioned thereon to lift rod 112 when hook 104 is raised from a position in contact with stopping pin 139.

Reset rod 114 pivotably communicated with the medial part of hook 104, and slideably pivotably, by means of elongate slot 115 in the upper part thereof, with pin 116 of horizontal reset arm 117 so as to activate on downward movement of the hook. This horizontal reset arm is nonrotatably carried upon axle 118 journaled in carriage frame 46a non-rotatably communicates with vertical reset rod 120 to the lower housing 149 of the opposite cable catch mechanism as illustrated.

Reset housing 149 is structurally carried by horizontal cable catch base 150 which has vertical cable catch plate 151 at its outward end adapted to allow cable 88 to pass freely therethrough but stop cable chock 121. The cable catch base 150 is slideably mounted .in cross members 46a and pivotably communicates by rod 120 and bell crank 119 to impart forward or rearward motion, in a horizontal plane in response thereto.

Releasably positionable cable chocks 121 are provided on cable 88 to provide for the motion hereinafter described. These chocks must be such as to remain in position on the cable against some force and activate the cable catches when appropriate. Such devices are well known in the mechanical arts.

A plurality of individual cart positioning chocks 122 are provided along the peripheral edge of storage area 23, as illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 13 to provide appropriate motion to tripping bar 101. These chocks must be so positioned as to functionally space boat cradles in the storage area and must also engage the outward projecting end of tripping bar 101, so as to activate it by causing it to move upward about its pivotable axle 102.

Such a chock is illustrated in FIGURES 14 et seq. If my invention is to be manually operated i.e.jthe boat being positioned in the storage area by manual placement of the positioning chock-tliis structure will sufiice, though it is adapted particularly for automatic or semi-automatic operation. The chock consists of angled body member 123 fastened rigidly in place to concrete apron 31 by bolting through lips 124. Body 123rotatably carries axle 125 pivotably supporting tripping arm 126 having rotatably mounted tripping wheel 127 in its upper, outer end part. The tripping arm is biased to a normally inward, nonoperative position by rotary spring 128, but is pivotable to an outward Operative position, as shown in FIGURE 15, in response to motion of activating cable 129. g

A plurality of activating cables 129 may be remotely controlled by plural levers 130, to place the appropriate tripping wheel 127 in operative position, as desired.

I provide a central cable channel 131 for support of stop pins 139 and to somewhat protect operating cable 88 and keep it from fouling. This member is preferably the U shaped channel of commerce as illustrated in FIG- URES 1 and '6. Stop pins 139 are appropriately spaced to, in cooperation with the associated positioning chock 122, properly position the carriage for receipt or disposition of a boat cart in the storage area. These pins thus-1y provide an absolute position indexing system for my invention;

It also is convenient to provide cable sled 132 of FIG- URE 11 to support cable 88 in, and keep it off the bottom of, cable channel 131. Such a sled comprises lower runner part 133 pivotably communicating by hinge 134 to lower spring part 135, which in turn communicates by" hinge 136 to upper spring part 137 which supports the cable 88. A forward cable guide 138 is also preferably provided. This sled in operation may communicate with carriage mechanism 20 so that it will move 'correspond-' ingly with the carriage.

The electrical circuitry necessary to accomplish the ends of my invention is well known. One form is shown diagrammatically in FIGURE 13. Power source 143 com municates through master switch 91 to double throw, double pole reversing switch 92, 93. From the reversing switch one power lead communicates to motor 89 and the other in series with a circuit having normally closed operating switches 142, plural normally open individual selection switches 158, and pressure activated limit switches 140, 141 in parallel, and thence to the other motor lead.

In operation my invention may be used either manually or automatically-the manual operation being merely a species of the automatic requiring direct manual activa tion of the cart positioning chocks.

The machine is constructed according to the foregoing teachings and the cable positioned as described. The forward cable chock 121 is positioned so that it is in operative contact with cable catch 109, when the boom is in extended position for potential forward motion, and the rearward chock is similarly positioned for potential rearward motion. The appropriate positioning chock 122 is placed so that when it trips tripping bar 101, carriage 20 will be in position for wheel rails 44, 45 to receive the wheels of the cradling cart.

With the machine in this condition and at the rear of the tracks with boom extended, the launching of a craft will be described.

Prime mover 26 is activated so that driving pulley 99 rotates in a clockwise direction to cause the cable in the forward part of the medial cable channel to move toward the launching site. Carriage 20, in its normally returned position at the rearwardmost part of the rails 30, will have both hooks 104 in released, or upward position, and the forward cable chock in the forward cable catch engaged. In this condition, with boom extended, the carriage will move forward or toward the launching site in response to the motion of cable 88.

The carriage will pass under the pick-up catches 39 of other small craft carts 28, until it stops; at this time, it will be extended and positioned immediately under the pick-up catch of the cradle of the small craft to be launched and the catch of the boom cart will be brought into engagement with this boat cart catch when tripping bar 101 is activated by pivoting its catch end upward. When the carriage arrives at the activated positioning chock 122, the forward tripping bar 101 will be tripped thereby, and forward hook 104 lowered thereby to engage thecatching rod 139, appropriately placed in central channel 131 to properly align carriage and boat cart.

Since the forward motion of carriage mechanism 20 has been arrested by forward hook 104, and the motion of this hook 104 has imparted a rotary motion to bellcrank 105 causing pin 138 to pivot downward to release forward cable chock 121 from catch 109, further motion of cable 88 will cause both the extensible boom 64 and boom cart 65 to return to their retracted positions, thus pulling cradling cart 28 onto the carriage mechanism 20 with cart wheels engaged in cart rails 44, 45 and Wheel flanges 36 ultimately engaged under cart wheel catches 59. When the cradling cart 28 is completely on carriage 20, rearward cable chock 121 will have sufficient force brought between it and rearward cable catch plate 151 to activate release mechanism 117 and thus release forward hook 104 to allow carriage 20 to proceed forward to the launching site where the small craft will be launched.

At the same time rearward cable chock 121 will have become engaged in rearward cable catch 109 by reason of its motion against rearward release plate 151 sufficient to cause the aforesaid release of the forward hook 104 and the mechanism will thusly be conditioned for the return cycle. The cable motion is also arrested by the inability of the boom cart to pass beyond the pulleys on either side of it, and obviously this positioning must correspond to the described motion. Forward limit switch 140 is provided to stop prime mover 26 at its forwardmost point, so that a boat may be launched and otherwise dealt with at the boaters leisure.

I To return the empty cradle 28 to its storage position, the prime mover is activated in reverse direction and the exactly opposite course is followed. As the cable 88 reverses, the carriage moves back along the track to the storage area until tripping bar 101 is activated by the positioning chock 122. When this occurs, the rearward motion of the carriage 24) is arrested by hook 104, the rearward cable catch 109 is released, and the extensible boom and its cart are extended to replace the cradling cart 28 in its original position. When this occurs, the forward cable chock 121 will be in an appropriate position to release the forward cable catch plate 151 and thus release the rearward hook 104. Forward cable chock 121 will also thereby be severed in forward catch 109. The carriage will then return to its normally null position at the rearwardmost part of tracks 22, where its motion is stopped by limit switch 141.

This operation may obviously be controlled by remote means, thus rendering it at least semi-automatic. To do this, I prefer to use a positioning chock 122 as illustrated in FIGURE 14 et seq., with tripping wheel 127 that may be moved in and out of activating position by activating cable 129. Such cables for a plurality of chocks may then be grouped in one area with individual levers 158 to activate each. if this arrangement be used, it is convenient to arrange the electrical contacts of the prime mover so that if an activating lever be moved to activate a chock it will also doubly activate the switch and thus the prime mover. This system obviously may also be readily adapted to an individual key-type operation if desired.

While the foregoing description is necessarily of a detailed character so that a specific embodiment of my invention may be clearly set forth, as required, it is to be understood that various rearrangements of parts, multiplications thereof and modifications of detail may be made in connection with the invention without departing from its spirit, scope or essence.

Having thusly described my invention, what I desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

What I claim is:

1. A boat storage and launching apparatus of the nature aforesaid, comprising, in combination:

a plurality of boat carts having hooking means associated therewith, adapted to support and move a boat;

a track extending between a storage area and a spaced launching area;

a carriage, movable on said track, adapted to receive said boat carts individually, said carriage having a boom extensible into said storage area and boom cart extensible on said boom and said boom cart having hooking means adapted to cooperate with those of said boat carts to move said carts;

a cable communicating between a prime mover, said carriage and said boom and boom cart to provide motion thereto;

a first means to cause said boom and boom cart to move between extended and non-extended position in response to cable motion;

a second means to determine motion of said carriage between storage area and launching site in response to cable motion; and

a prime mover to provide directional motion to said cable.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said first means comprises an appropriately positioned cable chock adapted to release a cable catch, upon predetermined position of said carriage, to move said boom and boom cart from one extreme position to the other in response to cable motion.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said second means comprises one of a plurality of spaced chock blocks positioned to contact said extensible boom to cause it to pivot about a carriage journaled axle to release catch means to cause said carriage to change motion.

4. In a boat moving and storage apparatus of the type having a carriage with extensible boom carrying an extensible boom cart, said carriage being moveable over tracks extending between a storage area and a spaced launching area, and associated small craft with carts adapted for locomotion over said storage area and said carriage, means of moving said carts comprising:

an endless cable communicating between said storage and launching areas and with said boom, boom cart and carriage; first means to determine motion of said carriage in response to cable motion; second means to move said boom and boom cart in response to cable motion upon predetermined position of said carriage; and third means of supplying directional motion to said cable. 5. The invention of claim 4 wherein said first means includes one of a plurality of spaced chocks positioned at predetermined locations adjacent said tracks.

6. The invention of claim 4 wherein said second means comprises pivotable mounting of said extensible boom on said carriage with mechanical linkage to position said carriage to receive a boat cart upon activation by a positioned chock and thence release cable carried chocks to move said boom and boom cart to the extreme opposite position of that immediately previously existing.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS HUGO O. SCHULZ, Primary Examiner.

R. B. JOHNSON, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. 4. IN A BOAT MOVING AND STORAGE APPARATUS OF THE TYPE HAVING A CARRIAGE EXTENSIBLE BOOM CARRYING AN EXTENSIBLE BOOM CART, SAID CARRIAGE BEING MOVABLE OVER TRACKS EXTENDING BETWEEN A STORAGE AREA AND A SPACED LAUNCHING AREA, AND ASSOCIATED SMALL CRAFT WITH CARTS ADAPTED FOR LOCOMOTION OVER SAID STORAGE AREA AND SAID CARRIAGE, MEANS FOR MOVING SAID CARTS COMPRISING: AN ENDLESS CABLE COMMUNICATING BETWEEN SAID STORAGE AND LAUNCHING AREAS AND WITH SAID BOOM, BOOM CART AND CARRIAGE; FIRST MEANS TO DETERMINE MOTION OF SAID CARRIAGE IN RESPONSE TO CABLE MOTION; SECOND MEANS TO MOVE SAID BOOM OF SAID CARRIAGE IN RESPONSE TO CABLE MOTION UPON PREDETERMINED POSITION OF SAID CARRIAGE; AND THIRD MEANS FOR SUPPLYING DIRECTIONAL MOTION TO SAID CABLE.

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