Watercraft Lift System

Abstract

A watercraft lift system for effectively operating in shallow water. The watercraft lift system generally includes a base structure, a plurality of support legs pivotally connected to the base structure, a support platform connected to the support legs, a pair of lifting assemblies connected to the base structure and the support platform, and a pair of actuators connected to the base structure and the lifting assemblies.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A watercraft lift, comprising:
 a base structure;   a watercraft support structure pivotally connected to said base structure, wherein said watercraft support structure is positionable into a lowered position or a raised position, and wherein said watercraft support structure is adapted to receive and support a watercraft;   a first lifting assembly, wherein said first lifting assembly is pivotally connected at a first pivot point to a first side of said base structure, and wherein said first lifting assembly is connected at a first connection point to said watercraft support structure; and   a first actuator, wherein said first actuator is connected to said base structure and to said first lifting assembly, wherein said first actuator is connected to said first lifting assembly between said first pivot point and said first connection point.   
     
     
         2 . The watercraft lift of  claim 1 , wherein said first actuator is attached to an outside of said first side of said base structure. 
     
     
         3 . The watercraft lift of  claim 1 , wherein said first actuator is positioned outside of said base structure. 
     
     
         4 . The watercraft lift of  claim 1 , wherein said first lifting assembly is attached to an outside of said first side of said base structure. 
     
     
         5 . The watercraft lift of  claim 1 , wherein said first lifting assembly is positioned outside of said base structure. 
     
     
         6 . The watercraft lift of  claim 1 , wherein said first actuator includes a lower end and an upper end, wherein said lower end is positioned between a first vertical axis extending through said first pivot point and a second vertical axis extending through said first connection point when said watercraft support structure is in said lowered position. 
     
     
         7 . The watercraft lift of  claim 6 , wherein said lower end is not positioned between said first vertical axis and said second vertical axis when said watercraft support structure is in said raised position. 
     
     
         8 . The watercraft lift of  claim 1 , wherein said first lifting assembly is comprised of an inverted V-shaped structure when said watercraft support structure is in said lowered position. 
     
     
         9 . The watercraft lift of  claim 8 , wherein said first lifting assembly is comprised of a first front arm pivotally connected to said base structure and a first rear arm extending at a first angle from said first arm, wherein said first rear arm is connected to said watercraft support structure. 
     
     
         10 . The watercraft lift of  claim 9 , including a first connector attached between and connecting said first front arm and said first rear arm. 
     
     
         11 . The watercraft lift of  claim 9 , wherein said first actuator is connected to said first lifting assembly between said first front arm and said rear arm. 
     
     
         12 . The watercraft lift of  claim 9 , wherein said first angle is comprised of an acute angle. 
     
     
         13 . The watercraft lift of  claim 1 , wherein said watercraft support structure is comprised of a plurality of support legs pivotally connected to said base structure, and a support platform connected to said support legs opposite of said base structure, wherein said support platform is adapted to receive and support a watercraft. 
     
     
         14 . The watercraft lift of  claim 13 , wherein said first lifting assembly is connected to said support platform. 
     
     
         15 . The watercraft lift of  claim 1 , wherein when said watercraft support structure is within said lowered position said first connection point has a first position, and wherein when said watercraft support structure is within said raised position said first connection point has a second position, wherein said second position is vertically aligned on a side of said first pivot point opposite of said first position. 
     
     
         16 . The watercraft lift of  claim 1 , including:
 a second lifting assembly, wherein said second lifting assembly is pivotally connected at a second pivot point to a second side of said base structure, and wherein said second lifting assembly is connected at a second connection point to said watercraft support structure; and   a second actuator, wherein said second actuator is connected to said base structure and to said second lifting assembly, wherein said second actuator is connected to said second lifting assembly between said second pivot point and said second connection point.   
     
     
         17 . A watercraft lift, comprising:
 a base structure;   a watercraft support structure pivotally connected to said base structure, wherein said watercraft support structure is positionable into a lowered position or a raised position, and wherein said watercraft support structure is adapted to receive and support a watercraft;   a first lifting assembly, wherein said first lifting assembly is pivotally connected at a first pivot point to a first side of said base structure, and wherein said first lifting assembly is connected at a first connection point to said watercraft support structure;   a first actuator, wherein said first actuator is connected to said base structure and to said first lifting assembly, wherein said first actuator is connected to said first lifting assembly between said first pivot point and said first connection point, wherein said first actuator is attached to an outside of said first side of said base structure;   a second lifting assembly, wherein said second lifting assembly is pivotally connected at a second pivot point to a second side of said base structure, and wherein said second lifting assembly is connected at a second connection point to said watercraft support structure;   wherein said first lifting assembly and said second lifting assembly are each comprised of an inverted V-shaped structure when said watercraft support structure is in said lowered position; and   a second actuator, wherein said second actuator is connected to said base structure and to said second lifting assembly, wherein said second actuator is connected to said second lifting assembly between said second pivot point and said second connection point, wherein said second actuator is attached to an outside of said second side of said base structure.   
     
     
         18 . The watercraft lift of  claim 17 , wherein said first actuator is positioned outside of said base structure and wherein said second actuator is positioned outside of said base structure. 
     
     
         19 . The watercraft lift of  claim 17 , wherein said first lifting assembly is attached to an outside of said first side of said base structure and wherein said second lifting assembly is attached to an outside of said second side of said base structure. 
     
     
         20 . The watercraft lift of  claim 17 , wherein said first lifting assembly is positioned outside of said base structure and wherein said second lifting assembly is positioned outside of said base structure.