Watercraft lift system and method

Abstract

A watercraft lift system including one or more laterally-adjustable or rotating components and related methods are disclosed. The watercraft lift system can include a cradle assembly and optionally at least one side guide, which can (but need not) be connected to the cradle assembly. The cradle assembly can include first and second cradle rails. One or both of the first cradle rail and the at least one side guide can be movable between a wider watercraft-receiving position and a narrower watercraft-received position. In an example, movement of the first cradle rail and/or the at least one side guide from the watercraft-receiving position to the watercraft-received position occurs automatically upon entry of a watercraft into the confines of the watercraft lift system. The watercraft lift system can further comprise an actuator to cause lateral or rotational movement, for example, of the first cradle rail and/or the at least one side guide. In an example, the actuator can be operably connected to the first cradle rail and/or the at least one side guide via one or more cables or extension plate members.

21 . A watercraft lift system, comprising:
 a cradle assembly including longitudinally-extending first and second cradle rails, the cradle rails configured to receive and support an underside of a watercraft;   first and second side guides; and   a linkage arrangement operably connected to the first cradle rail and the first side guide, the linkage arrangement configured to cause movement of the first cradle rail and the first side guide between a watercraft-receiving position and a watercraft-received position, wherein the movement is triggered by the weight of the watercraft resting on the first and second cradle rails.   
     
     
         22 . The watercraft lift system of  claim 21 , wherein the linkage arrangement includes a cantilevered design configured to move the first cradle rail and the first side guide inward toward the watercraft upon the watercraft entering the lift system's confines. 
     
     
         23 . The watercraft lift system of  claim 21 , further comprising a mechanical stop configured to limit the movement of the first cradle rail and the first side guide in the watercraft-received position. 
     
     
         24 . The watercraft lift system of  claim 21 , wherein the first side guide is padded along its inward-facing surface to prevent damage to the watercraft during movement. 
     
     
         25 . The watercraft lift system of  claim 21 , wherein a front-end portion of each side guide is angled outward to create a funnel-shaped entry for the watercraft. 
     
     
         26 . The watercraft lift system of  claim 21 , wherein the linkage arrangement is configured to return the first cradle rail and the first side guide to the watercraft-receiving position automatically when the weight of the watercraft is removed from the cradle rails. 
     
     
         27 . The watercraft lift system of  claim 26 , wherein the linkage arrangement includes spring-loaded members that bias the first cradle rail and the first side guide toward the watercraft-receiving position. 
     
     
         28 . The watercraft lift system of  claim 21 , further comprising one or more telescoping frame members to facilitate the lateral movement of the first cradle rail and the first side guide. 
     
     
         29 . The watercraft lift system of  claim 21 , wherein the movement of the first cradle rail and the first side guide is confined to a range of at least about 20 inches between the watercraft-receiving position and the watercraft-received position. 
     
     
         30 . The watercraft lift system of  claim 21 , wherein the linkage arrangement is configured to allow simultaneous lateral movement of the first cradle rail and the first side guide when the watercraft's weight is detected on the cradle rails. 
     
     
         31 . A method of operating a watercraft lift system, comprising:
 lowering a cradle assembly, including longitudinally-extending first and second cradle rails and first and second side guides, into water;   ensuring the cradle assembly is in a watercraft-receiving position by default;   piloting a watercraft into the confines of the lift system and positioning it over the cradle rails;   triggering a linkage arrangement to move the first cradle rail and the first side guide toward the watercraft to a watercraft-received position as the weight of the watercraft rests on the cradle rails; and   lifting the watercraft vertically out of the water.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein removing the watercraft from the lift system automatically triggers the linkage arrangement to return the first cradle rail and the first side guide to the watercraft-receiving position. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the linkage arrangement includes a cantilevered design that translates vertical force from the watercraft into lateral movement of the first cradle rail and the first side guide. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein a spring mechanism biases the linkage arrangement to maintain the cradle assembly in the watercraft-receiving position when no weight is applied to the cradle rails. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising visually confirming alignment of the watercraft within the lift system using a display connected to a sensor positioned on the cradle assembly. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the first and second side guides include angled front portions to assist in aligning the watercraft as it enters the lift system. 
     
     
         37 . A watercraft lift system, comprising:
 a cradle assembly including longitudinally-extending first and second cradle rails, the cradle rails configured to receive and support an underside of a watercraft;   first and second side guides extending longitudinally in a direction substantially parallel to the cradle rails;   a frame assembly including a plurality of posts and a lower beam interconnecting the posts; and   a cantilevered linkage arrangement operably connected to the cradle assembly, the linkage arrangement configured to:
 move the first cradle rail and the first side guide laterally inward when the watercraft's weight is positioned on the cradle rails, and 
 move the first cradle rail and the first side guide laterally outward when the watercraft is removed from the lift system. 
   
     
     
         38 . The watercraft lift system of  claim 37 , further comprising an actuator configured to lift the cradle assembly vertically between a lowered position and a hoisted position, independent of the lateral movement of the cradle rails and side guides. 
     
     
         39 . The watercraft lift system of  claim 37 , wherein the cantilevered linkage arrangement includes pivot points that translate downward force from the watercraft into lateral movement of the first cradle rail and the first side guide. 
     
     
         40 . The watercraft lift system of  claim 37 , further comprising cradle rail extensions attached to the first and second cradle rails to ensure proper support of the watercraft during lateral movement.