Boat ramp system

Abstract

A boat ramp system is configured to be coupled to a boat to permit persons to board and exit the boat. The system includes a boat ramp having a first ramp portion configured to be pivotably coupled to the boat for rotation about a vertical axis relative to the boat. The boat ramp further includes a second ramp portion pivotably coupled to the first ramp portion for movement relative to the first ramp portion between a stowed position wherein the second ramp portion is positioned above the first ramp portion and a use position wherein the second ramp portion is generally planar with the first ramp portion.

1 . A boat ramp system configured to be coupled to a boat to permit persons to board and exit the boat, the boat ramp system comprising:
 a boat ramp having (i) a first ramp portion configured to be pivotably coupled to the boat for rotation about a vertical axis relative to the boat, and (ii) a second ramp portion pivotably coupled to the first ramp portion for movement relative to the first ramp portion between a stowed position wherein the second ramp portion is positioned above the first ramp portion and a use position wherein the second ramp portion is generally planar with the first ramp portion.   
   
   
       2 . The boat ramp system of  claim 1 , further comprising an actuator assembly coupled to the first ramp portion and the second ramp portion to pivot the second ramp portion between the stowed and use positions. 
   
   
       3 . The boat ramp system of  claim 2 , wherein the actuator assembly includes a motor, a drive sprocket coupled to the first ramp portion, a driven sprocket coupled to the second ramp portion, and a drive chain coupled to the drive and driven sprockets. 
   
   
       4 . The boat ramp system of  claim 2 , further comprising a second actuator assembly coupled to the first ramp portion and the second ramp portion. 
   
   
       5 . The boat ramp system of  claim 1 , further comprising a guide track assembly including a guide track plate configured to be coupled to a planar surface of the boat and a plurality of rollers coupled to the guide track plate. 
   
   
       6 . The boat ramp system of  claim 5 , wherein the guide track plate is generally C-shaped. 
   
   
       7 . The boat ramp system of  claim 5 , wherein the guide track plate includes a plurality of spaced-apart apertures and the rollers are each positioned within one of the apertures. 
   
   
       8 . The boat ramp system of  claim 7 , wherein the guide track plate further includes a plurality of slots positioned between the apertures. 
   
   
       9 . The boat ramp system of  claim 8 , further comprising a locking pin coupled to the first ramp portion and configured to be received within one of the slots in order to prevent the boat ramp from rotating about the vertical axis relative to the boat. 
   
   
       10 . The boat ramp system of  claim 5 , wherein a bottom surface of the first ramp portion is engaged with the rollers of the guide track assembly. 
   
   
       11 . The boat ramp system of  claim 1 , further comprising a hand rail assembly including a first vertical post coupled to the first ramp portion, a second vertical post movable between a first position coupled to the first ramp portion and a second position coupled to the second ramp portion, and a flexible handrail coupled to and extending between the first and second vertical posts. 
   
   
       12 . The boat ramp system of  claim 1 , wherein the boat ramp is configured to be pivoted approximately 180 degrees about the vertical axis relative to the boat. 
   
   
       13 . The boat ramp system of  claim 1 , further comprising a pivot assembly coupled to the first boat ramp portion and configured to be coupled to the boat. 
   
   
       14 . A boat ramp system configured to be coupled to a boat, comprising:
 a boat ramp having (i) a first boat ramp portion configured to be coupled to the boat and (ii) a second boat ramp portion pivotably coupled to the first boat ramp portion for movement relative to the first ramp portion between a stowed position wherein the second ramp portion is positioned above the first ramp portion and a use position wherein the second ramp portion is generally aligned with the first ramp portion; and   an actuator assembly coupled to the first boat ramp portion and the second boat ramp portion in order to move the second boat ramp portion between the stowed and use positions.   
   
   
       15 . The boat ramp system of  claim 14 , wherein the boat ramp further includes a pivot assembly coupled to the first boat ramp portion and configured to be coupled to the boat, wherein the pivot assembly defines a vertical, pivot axis therethrough and the first boat ramp portion is configured to rotate about the vertical, pivot axis relative to the pivot assembly and the deck of the boat. 
   
   
       16 . The boat ramp system of  claim 14 , wherein the actuator assembly is a first actuator assembly coupled to a first side of the boat ramp, and further comprising a second actuator assembly coupled to a second side of the boat ramp. 
   
   
       17 . The boat ramp system of  claim 14 , wherein the actuator assembly includes a motor coupled to the first boat ramp portion, a drive sprocket coupled to the motor, and a driven sprocket coupled to the second boat ramp portion. 
   
   
       18 . The boat ramp system of  claim 14 , further comprising a guide track assembly engaged with the first boat ramp portion and configured to be coupled a planar portion deck of the boat. 
   
   
       19 . The boat ramp system of  claim 18 , wherein the guide track assembly includes a generally C-shaped guide track plate and a plurality of roller bearings coupled to the C-shaped guide track plate. 
   
   
       20 . A boat comprising:
 a generally planar boat deck and a C-shaped channel formed in a top surface of the boat deck;   a boat ramp system coupled to the boat deck, the boat ramp system including
 (i) a boat ramp configured to pivot about a vertical pivot axis relative to the boat, and 
 (ii) a guide track assembly received within the channel formed in the boat deck and engaged with the boat ramp.