Vehicle mounted launch and retrieval apparatus for a personal watercraft

Abstract

Taught herein is a motor vehicle mounted apparatus for launching and retrieving a personal watercraft. The watercraft is transported on the apparatus, which in turn is mounted to the vehicle, to the edge of the body of water into which the watercraft is to be launched. The apparatus provides a means of sliding the watercraft down a ramp into the water for use, and moving it back up the ramp for transport and storage after use.

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
   
   
       10 . A vehicle mounted launching and retrieving apparatus for launching or retrieving a personal watercraft to or from a water based position comprising:
 a) a substantially rectangular watercraft supporting transport assembly having two substantially parallel rails, substantially equal in length, separated by a distance so that the two rails provide stable support for the watercraft, and having two or more lateral cross ties affixing the spatial relation of the rails, wherein the supporting transport assembly is designed to be mounted to a vehicle so that its rails are substantially parallel to the plane of the axles of the vehicle and the assembly can support the personal watercraft during transport;   b) a substantially rectangular watercraft supporting ramp assembly comprised of a first and second ramp sub-assemblies each sub-assembly having two substantially parallel rails, substantially equal in length, separated by a distance substantially equal to the distance of separation of the transport assembly, and having two or more lateral cross ties affixing the spatial relation of the rails wherein:
 i. the rails of the first ramp sub-assembly are attached by a pivoting means to the corresponding rails of the transport assembly and, in turn, the second sub-assembly is attached by similar pivoting means to the first ramp sub-assembly; 
 ii. the pivoting means between the transport assembly and the first ramp sub-assembly is at or near the rear of the vehicle so that the first and second sub-assemblies, may be pivoted below the plane of the transport assembly to form a ramp between the supporting transport assembly and the vehicle positioned in the water; and 
 iii. the two pivoting means allow the first and second sub-assemblies to be folded upward to a position wherein the first sub-assembly is positioned essentially upright from the transport assembly and the second sub-assembly is folded downward from the first sub-assembly and secured during transport of a water vehicle. 
   
   
   
       11 . The launching and retrieving apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the pivoting means between the transport and ramp assemblies may be locked in position to affix the relationship of the transport assembly and the ramp assembly with the ramp assembly in an upright folded position. 
   
   
       12 . The launching and retrieving apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the pivoting means between the two ramp sub-assemblies may be locked in position to affix the relationship of the first and second ramp sub-assemblies. 
   
   
       13 . The launching and retrieving apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the vehicle is a truck having a substantially rectangular, flat bed, and the longitudinal axis of the first supporting assembly coincides with, or is parallel to, the longitudinal axis of the bed of the truck. 
   
   
       14 . The launching and retrieving apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the truck is a pick-up truck. 
   
   
       15 . The launching and retrieving apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the vehicle is a van. 
   
   
       16 . The launching and retrieving apparatus of  claim 10  further equipped with a means of winching a watercraft on and off of the apparatus. 
   
   
       17 . The launching and retrieving apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the means of winching is electrically actuated. 
   
   
       18 . The launching and retrieving apparatus of  claim 11  wherein when the truck is parked with its rear proximal to the water based position, the first and second ramp sub-assemblies may be pivoted downward and below the surface of the water to allow a watercraft to be winched from the water, up the sub-assemblies, and onto the transport assembly mounted on the bed of the truck. 
   
   
       19 . The launching and retrieving apparatus of  claim 10  constructed of metal, metal alloy, wood, fiberglass, polymers, composite material, or any a combination thereof. 
   
   
       20 . The launching and retrieving apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the ramp sub-assemblies are fastened together by a ramp fastening means when folded for transport.