Adjustable platform structures for boats

Abstract

A platform structure for a water structure surrounded by water is disclosed. The platform structure includes a set of inflatable sacks held in place by arm members which are hollow tubes rotatably attached to a hinge structure to a side of said water structure. The platform structure is especially designed to protect the water structure as well as other approaching water crafts from the impact of collisions. The arm members of the platform structure can also be used to tug floating platforms and various water crafts with minimal water drag. The platform structure can also be adjusted to function with a hinge structure installed at any of various heights on said water structure. The platform structure also has means to provide it with added stability on the water.

I claim as my invention:  
     
         1 . A device designed to provide at least part of the stability of a stationed boat or other stationed water structure to at least one floating platform, comprising: 
 an arm structure rotatably attached to a hinge structure on a side of said boat or other water structure;    and wherein at least a portion of said floating platform has a cushioning surface to protect said boat or other water structure as well as other approaching water crafts from the impact of collisions;    and wherein said arm structure can be adjusted to function with a hinge structure installed at any of various altitudes on said boat or other water structure.    
     
     
         2 . An apparatus designed to provide at least part of the stability of a stationed boat or other stationed water structure to at least one floating platform, comprising: 
 an arm structure rotatably attached to a hinge structure on a side of said boat or other water structure;    and wherein at least a portion of said floating platform has a cushioning surface to protect said boat or other water structure as well as other approaching water crafts from the impact of collisions;    and wherein the apparatus includes means to stabilize the floating platform with one or more devices which bump against a side wall of the boat or other water structure.    
     
     
         3 . A device designed to provide at least part of the stability of a stationed boat or other stationed water structure to at least one floating platform, comprising: 
 at least two arm members rotatably attached to a hinge structure on a side of said boat or other water structure;    at least one inflatable sack;    and means to attach said inflatable sack to said arm members even when the separation between said arm members varies within a given range.    
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said means to provide stability on the water to the floating platform does not require any attachment or work done on any of the side walls of the boat or other water structure.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said device can be conveniently retracted when not in use.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the arm structure can be adjusted to perform at least two different functions, one such function being to provide at least part of the stability of the boat or other water structure to the floating platform, and another function being to tug said floating platform with its proximal portion over the surface of the water.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said arm structure is comprised of at least two arm members, part of which submerge under the surface of the water when the floating platform is deployed.