Boat docking system

Abstract

This invention relates to a device for docking a boat stern first. The device is preferably attached to a dock or sea wall and floats on the water surface. The boat docking device has two rods joined in an L-shape configuration. On one rod there is a sliding member that holds an end of a third moveable rod. The moveable rod slides in the sliding member and pivots, with respect to the L-shaped rods, around a joint. In an open position a boat can easily enter the device stern first. The device guides the boat into docking position and the moveable rod closes on the boat to hold the boat in the secured position.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A device for docking a boat, the device comprising: 
 a fixed rod;    a connector rod having a length at least as great as a stern width of the boat, the connector rod connected to the fixed rod;    a moveable rod pivotally attached to the connector rod; and    a joint having a first joint end secured to the fixed rod and a second joint end secured to the moveable rod.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising at least one float connected to at least one of the moveable rod and the fixed rod.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising at least one dock rod secured at one end to a dock and at an other end to the connector rod.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the at least one dock rod pivots with respect to the dock.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a spring connected at a first spring end to the fixed bar and at a second spring end to a dock.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the joint is secured to the moveable rod by a hinge.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a sliding member attached with respect to the connector rod.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7  wherein the moveable rod is pivotally attached to the sliding member.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8  wherein a pivot end of the moveable rod slides within the sliding member.  
     
     
         10 . A device for docking a boat, the device comprising: 
 a fixed rod;    a connector rod having a sliding member, wherein the connector rod and sliding member have a length at least as great as a stern width of the boat, the connector rod connected to the fixed rod;    a moveable rod having a pivot end pivotally attached to the connector rod, wherein a pivot end of the moveable rod slides within the sliding member; and    a joint having a first joint end secured to the fixed rod and a second joint end secured to the moveable rod.    
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10  wherein the joint is secured to the moveable rod by a hinge.  
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11  wherein the joint is made of a flexible material.  
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 11  further comprising a spring connected at a first spring end to the fixed bar and a second spring end to a dock, wherein the spring holds the fixed bar in position with respect to the dock and the spring absorbs the pressure exerted on the fixed bar by the boat.  
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13  wherein the device is held afloat at the waterline by a plurality of floats.  
     
     
         15 . A device for docking a boat, comprising: 
 a fixed rod;    a connector rod having a length at least as great as a stern width of the boat, the connector rod connected to the fixed rod;    a moveable rod pivotally attached to the connector rod;    a joint having a first joint end secured to the fixed rod and a second joint end secured by a hinge to the moveable rod;    at least one dock rod secured at one end to a dock and at an other end to the connector rod;    a sliding member attached with respect to the connector rod, wherein a pivot end of the moveable rod slides within the sliding member;    a plurality of floats attached to at least one of the moveable rod and the fixed rod; and    a spring connected at a first spring end to the fixed rod and connected at a second spring end to the dock, wherein the spring holds the fixed bar in position with respect to the dock and the spring absorbs the pressure exerted on the fixed bar by the boat.    
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 14  wherein the joint is made of a flexible material.  
     
     
         17 . A method for docking a boat comprising the steps of: 
 backing the boat into an opening created between a fixed rod and a moveable rod;    pivoting the moveable rod around a connector rod extending between the fixed rod and the moveable rod;    flexing a joint having a first joint end secured to the fixed rod and a second joint end secured to the moveable rod; and    guiding the boat into a docked position between the fixed rod and the moveable rod.