Locking Hydraulic Side Swim Platform

Abstract

A swim platform is built into a side of a boat, either the port or starboard side. The swim platform is raised and lowered by a mechanism that fits within the side wall of the boat beneath the gunnel. The swim platform is raised when the boat is underway to prevent water intrusion, provide safety, and reduce drag; while the swim platform is lowered, for example, when the boat is anchored for enjoyment of the boaters using the boat.

1 . A side swim platform system comprising:
 a side swim platform sized to fit within an opening in a side wall of a boat, the opening having a first side and second, opposing side;   a first shaft mechanically fixed to a first side edge of the side swim platform and a second shaft mechanically fixed to a second, opposite side edge of the side swim platform;   a first hydraulic ram mounted within a boat side wall at the first side of the opening, a first end of the first hydraulic ram rotatably interfaced to a first bearing, the first bearing affixed to an inside surface of the side wall of the boat, a second, opposing end of the first hydraulic ram interfaced directly to the first shaft through a first monolithic linkage, the first monolithic linkage converting linear motion from the first hydraulic ram directly into a rotational motion of the first shaft causing the first shaft to rotate; and   a second hydraulic ram mounted within the boat side wall at the second, opposing side of the opening, a first end of the second hydraulic ram rotatably interfaced to a second bearing, the second bearing affixed to a second inside surface of the side wall of the boat, a second, opposing end of the second hydraulic ram interfaced directly to the second shaft through a second monolithic linkage, the second monolithic linkage converting the linear motion from the second hydraulic ram directly into the rotational motion of the second shaft;   whereas extension of the first hydraulic ram and extension of the second hydraulic ram in tandem retracts the side swim platform and retraction of the first hydraulic ram and retraction of the second hydraulic ram in tandem extends the side swim platform.   
     
     
         2 . The side swim platform system of  claim 1 , further comprising a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism having an open position in which the side swim platform is movable by extension or retraction of the first hydraulic ram and the second hydraulic ram and a locked position in which the side swim platform is locked in a fully retracted position. 
     
     
         3 . The side swim platform system of  claim 1 , whereas in a fully retracted position, an outer surface of the side swim platform is flush with an outer surface of the side wall of the boat. 
     
     
         4 . The side swim platform system of  claim 2 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a retractable pin, the retractable pin movable into a retracted position in which the retractable pin is positioned within the first side of the opening in the side wall of the boat and movable into an extended position in which the retractable pin extends out of the first side edge and into a receiver, the receiver located in the first side edge of the side swim platform. 
     
     
         5 . The side swim platform system of  claim 4 , wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a second retractable pin, the second retractable pin movable into the retracted position in which the retractable pin is positioned within the second side of the opening in the side wall of the boat and movable into the extended position in which the retractable pin extends out of the second side of the opening in the side edge and into a second receiver, the second receiver located in the second side edge of the side swim platform. 
     
     
         6 . The side swim platform system of  claim 4 , wherein the retractable pin is moved by a hydraulic actuator. 
     
     
         7 . The side swim platform system of  claim 5 , wherein the second retractable pin is moved by a hydraulic actuator. 
     
     
         8 . The side swim platform system of  claim 1 , wherein the first linkage comprises a first monolithic knuckle bearing linkage and the second linkage comprises a second monolithic knuckle bearing linkage. 
     
     
         9 . The side swim platform system of  claim 1 , wherein the first side of the opening includes a first platform plate, the second, opposing side of the opening includes a second platform plate, the first side edge of the side swim platform includes a first side wall plate, and the second, opposite side edge of the side swim platform includes a second side wall plate. 
     
     
         10 . The side swim platform system of  claim 9 , wherein the first platform plate, the second platform plate, the first side wall plate, and the second side wall plate are fabricated from steel. 
     
     
         11 . A method of deploying a side swim platform from a boat comprising:
 operating a hydraulic ram to retract the hydraulic ram, the hydraulic ram thereby pulling on a monolithic knuckle linkage thereby rotating a shaft in a first rotational direction, the shaft affixed to the side swim platform and, therefore, the side swim platform extending outwardly from the boat.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of:
 operating the hydraulic ram to extend the hydraulic ram, the hydraulic ram thereby pushing on the monolithic knuckle linkage thereby rotating the shaft in a second, opposing direction of rotation, and, therefore, the side swim platform retracting inwardly.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising after the step of the swim platform retracting inwardly, the step of:
 locking the swim platform in line with a side of the boat by extending a hydraulically operated pin between the side of the boat and the side swim platform.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of:
 operating a second hydraulic ram to retract the hydraulic ram, the second hydraulic ram thereby pulling on a second monolithic knuckle linkage thereby rotating a second pivot in the first rotational direction, the second shaft affixed to an opposite side of the side swim platform and, therefore, the side swim platform extending outwardly from the boat.   
     
     
         15 . A mechanism for moving a side swim platform between a retracted position and an extended position, the mechanism comprising:
 a shaft pivot mechanically affixed to a first side edge of a side swim platform and extending into a side wall of the boat, the side swim platform sized to fit within an opening in the side wall of a boat; and   a hydraulic ram mounted within the side wall of the boat at the first side of the opening, a first end of the hydraulic ram rotatably interfaced to a bearing, the bearing affixed to the boat, a second, opposing end of the hydraulic ram interfaced to the shaft through a linkage, the linkage converting linear motion from the hydraulic ram into a rotational motion of the pivot;   whereas extension of the hydraulic ram rotates the shaft in a first direction of rotation and retraction of the hydraulic ram rotates the shaft in a second direction of rotational.   
     
     
         16 . The mechanism for moving the side swim platform between the retracted position and the extended position of  claim 15 , further comprising a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism having an open position have a locking pin retracted therein and a locked position having the locking pin extended therefrom. 
     
     
         17 . The mechanism for moving the side swim platform between the retracted position and the extended position of  claim 15 , wherein the linkage comprises a first knuckle bearing linkage.