Boat Docking and Cleaning Device

Abstract

A docking and cleaning device comprising a frame having scrubbers affixed thereto for cleaning a boat hull at a horizontal section, such as the waterline. The frame comprises a movable elongated member so that when the frame is in an “open” position, the elongated members provide an opening through which a boat may pass, entering into a docking area formed by the frame. The elongated member is moved so that the frame is in a “closed” position where the frame substantially conforms to the shape of the boat hull. Wave motion acting on the boat and the frame allow the scrubbers to frictionally contact and clean the boat hull at the waterline.

1 . A boat docking and cleaning device comprising:
 a frame shaped to conform to a shape of at least 50% of a horizontal cross-section of a boat hull; and   a scrubber affixed to said frame, said scrubber adapted to engage and clean at least 50% of a boat hull at said horizontal cross-section of said boat hull.   
   
   
       2 . The boat docking and cleaning device of  claim 1 ,
 wherein said frame comprises a first elongated member, a second elongated member, and an optional base section, said first elongated member having a first end and a second end, and said second elongated member having a first end and a second end;   wherein said first end of said first elongated member and said first end of said second elongated member are movably connected to each other or at least one of said first elongated member or second elongated member is movably connected to said optional base section; and   wherein said second end of said first elongated member and said second end of said second elongated member are movably connected to each other such that at least one of said second ends of said first and second elongated members is adapted to move toward and away from said other second end.   
   
   
       3 . The boat docking and cleaning device as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said first end of said first elongated member and said first end of said second elongated member are pivotably connected to each other or at least one of said first elongated member or second elongated member is pivotably connected to said optional base section. 
   
   
       4 . The boat docking and cleaning device as recited in  claim 2  wherein said first end of first elongated member and said first end of said second elongated member are both pivotably connected to said base section. 
   
   
       5 . The boat docking and cleaning device as recited in  claim 1  wherein said frame comprises a plurality of frame sections. 
   
   
       6 . The boat docking and cleaning device as recited in  claim 1  wherein said scrubber comprises a plurality of brushes. 
   
   
       7 . The boat docking and cleaning device as recited in  claim 1  wherein said frame comprises a base section, and said base section is adapted to conform to the shape of a bow of a boat. 
   
   
       8 . The boat docking and cleaning device as recited in  claim 1  wherein said frame comprises a base section, and wherein said base section is adapted to conform to the shape of a stern of a boat. 
   
   
       9 . The boat docking and cleaning device as recited in  claim 1  wherein said device is comprised of a material so that said device floats at waterline of a body of water. 
   
   
       10 . The boat docking and cleaning device as recited in  claim 1  wherein said device comprised of a material so that said device float below a waterline of a body of water. 
   
   
       11 . The boat docking and cleaning device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said scrubber is affixed to said frame at an adjustable angle relative to a waterline of a body of water. 
   
   
       12 . The boat docking and cleaning device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said scrubber comprises a plurality of scrubber segments affixed to said frame. 
   
   
       13 . The boat docking and cleaning device as recited in  claim 12 , wherein at least two adjacent scrubber segments have a gap therebetween. 
   
   
       14 . The boat docking and cleaning device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said scrubber is adapted to engage and clean at least 80% of said boat hull at said horizontal cross-section of said boat hull. 
   
   
       15 . The boat docking and cleaning device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said frame is shaped to conform to a shape of 80 to 100% of said horizontal cross-section of said boat hull. 
   
   
       16 . The boat docking and cleaning device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said frame is shaped to conform to a shape of 90 to 100% of said horizontal cross-section of said boat hull. 
   
   
       17 . The boat docking and cleaning device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said frame comprises a base section having two ends, and said ends are connected together using a rope or line. 
   
   
       18 . The boat docking and cleaning device as recited in  claim 17 , wherein said base section of said frame has an apex and is shaped to conform to a boat bow. 
   
   
       19 . A boat docking and cleaning system comprising the boat docking and cleaning device as recited in  claim 1  and further comprising at least one mooring line. 
   
   
       20 . A docking and hull cleaning device comprising:
 a frame comprising a first elongated member and a second elongated member, wherein at least one of said first elongated member and said second elongated member is movable between a closed and open position;   said frame having an interior side that defines an interior boat docking area;   said frame being complementary in shape to at least 50% of a boat hull at a horizontal cross-section thereof when said elongated members are moved to a closed position;   said frame being adapted to form an opening for a boat when said elongated members are moved to an open position; and   a scrubber affixed along at least a portion said interior side of said frame.   
   
   
       21 . The boat docking and cleaning device as recited in  claim 20  wherein said first elongated member and second elongated member are both pivotably connected to a stationary base section. 
   
   
       22 . The boat docking and cleaning device as recited in  claim 20  wherein said first elongated member comprises a plurality of frame sections. 
   
   
       23 . The boat docking and cleaning device as recited in  claim 20  wherein said scrubber comprises a plurality of brushes. 
   
   
       24 . The boat docking and cleaning device as recited in  claim 20 , wherein said scrubber comprises a plurality of scrubber segments affixed to said frame. 
   
   
       25 . The boat docking and cleaning device as recited in  claim 20  wherein said scrubber is affixed along at least 80% of said interior side of the frame. 
   
   
       26 . A method for docking a boat and cleaning a boat hull of a boat comprising:
 floating a frame on a body of water, said frame having an interior side defining an interior boat docking area, said frame shaped to conform to a shape of at least 50% of a horizontal cross-section of said boat hull, said frame having a scrubber mounted on said interior side of said frame:   placing said boat in said interior boat docking area to dock said boat; and   permitting said scrubber to frictionally engage said boat hull to clean said boat.   
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said frame comprises a first elongated member and a second elongated member pivotably connected to a base section, and wherein said placing said boat in said interior boat docking area comprises pivoting one or both of said first and second elongated members to form an opening in said frame. 
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 26 , further wherein said frame comprises a first elongated member and a second elongated member pivotably connected to each other, and wherein said placing said boat in said interior boat docking area comprises pivoting one or both of said first and second elongated members to form an opening in said frame. 
   
   
       29 . The boat docking and cleaning device as recited in  claim 26  wherein said frame comprises a plurality of frame sections. 
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said scrubber comprises plurality of brushes. 
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising the step of mooring said frame to a dock using mooring lines. 
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said scrubber is mounted along at least 80% of said interior side of said frame. 
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said floating step comprises attaching a floatable buoy to said frame. 
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said floating step comprising positioning said docking and hull cleaning device at a waterline of said body of water.