Boat lift stabilization and locking apparatus

Abstract

A piling-mounted boat lift locking and stabilization apparatus couples a row of pilings and a lowering/raising platform to form a rigid uni-structure. The apparatus includes a piling mounting bracket assembly ( 101 ), a turnbuckle ( 100 ), and a positioning indicator assembly ( 103 ). It provides the piling-mounted boat lift with an omni-structure that changes the inherent frequency of the assembly. The turnbuckle is designed to mitigate lateral or non-axial loads. An associated bracket assembly enables the apparatus to support the weight of the lift platform. The apparatus automatically engages one side of the lift that has no operator access. It exhibits increased rigidity and is adjustable to remove motion of the lift during high-wind events.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A piling-mounted boat lift locking apparatus, comprising:
 a piling mounting bracket assembly ( 101 ) comprising a bracket plate ( 250 ) and a clevis ( 255 ), wherein the piling mounting bracket assembly ( 101 ) is configured to attach to a piling ( 600 );   a turnbuckle ( 100 ) comprising a first end ( 420 ) and a second end ( 421 ), wherein the first end ( 420 ) of the turnbuckle ( 100 ) is pivoted to the clevis ( 255 ) of the piling mounting bracket assembly ( 101 ), and wherein the second end ( 421 ) of the turnbuckle ( 100 ) is configured to attach with a lowering/raising platform ( 601 );   a positioning indicator assembly ( 103 ) comprising a lift indicator ( 263 ) mounted into the clevis ( 255 ) of the piling mounting bracket assembly ( 101 ), and an activator bracket ( 264 ) mounted on the first end ( 420 ) of the turnbuckle ( 100 ), wherein when the turnbuckle ( 100 ) is deployed by manually rotating in a downward direction along the pivot point, the activator bracket ( 264 ) engages with the lift indicator ( 263 ) and forces the lift indicator ( 263 ) to raise from a normal resting position against a top surface of the clevis ( 255 ) of the piling mounting bracket assembly ( 101 ), thereby creating a visual gap indicating a safe and correct height of the lowering/raising platform ( 601 ) to an operator for attachment of the turnbuckle ( 100 ) with the lowering/raising platform ( 601 );   an Outer Piling Locking System (OPLS) that automatically engages an outer side of the lift with no access for the operator to engage a standard configuration of a lift beam locking post mount assembly ( 124 ), comprising a longitudinal adjustment assembly ( 122 ) and a latitudinal adjustment assembly ( 123 ) that is mounted to a locking post ( 273 ) for full adjustability and couples with a locking post receiver plate ( 274 ) attached to a piling ( 600 ) by means of a piling mount receiver bracket assembly ( 121 ) that locks the lowering/lifting platform ( 601 ) to the piling ( 600 ) by adjusting the length of a turnbuckle ( 100 ) to remove any movement in the lift.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the bracket plate ( 250 ) comprises a plurality of through holes, adapted to receive therein a plurality of fasteners ( 254 ) for securing the piling mounting bracket assembly ( 101 ) to the piling ( 600 ). 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the turnbuckle ( 100 ) is pivoted to the clevis ( 255 ) of the piling mounting bracket assembly ( 101 ) through a permanent locked screw ( 256 ), washers ( 256 A), and lock nut ( 256 B), which passes through a pivot hole ( 370 ) in the first end ( 420 ) of the turnbuckle ( 100 ). 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising a lift beam bracket assembly ( 102 ) mounted on the lowering/raising platform ( 601 ), wherein the lift beam bracket assembly ( 102 ) comprises a clevis attachment point ( 422 ) configured to receive therein the second end ( 421 ) of the turnbuckle ( 100 ). 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , having a locking pin ( 260 ) for securing the second end ( 421 ) of the turnbuckle ( 100 ) inside the clevis attachment point ( 422 ), wherein the locking pin ( 260 ) comprises a hole ( 374 ) perpendicular to its shaft diameter and adapted to accept at least one of a padlock and a like locking device. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising a locking snap ( 262 ) attached onto the piling ( 600 ) at a distance from the piling mounting bracket assembly ( 101 ) for detachably snap fitting the turnbuckle ( 100 ). 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising a strap attachment bracket assembly and a securing strap for connecting together the piling mounting bracket assembly ( 101 ) and lowering/raising platform ( 601 ). 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of padlocks or pin locks for securing the apparatus to the piling to prevent theft. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising a safety link that secures the lowering/raising platform ( 601 ) to the piling ( 600 ) in the event of partial failure of the lift components. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus is configured to fit a multitude of sizes and designs of standard commercially available piling-mounted boat lifts. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus has an adjustment mechanism for eliminating swaying movement inherent in piling-mounted boat lifts. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , said apparatus having a locking mechanism associated with said adjustment mechanism so that upon being adjusted, said apparatus can be locked to remain in a rigid configuration. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said turnbuckles ( 100 ) are designed to handle increased non-axial loads. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus is hand deployed with no extra components or tools. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus is permanently mounted for rapid deployment. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus is operative to lock the piling-mounted boat lift for security and theft prevention. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus in the OPLS configuration automatically engages one side of the lift that has no operator access and is adjustable to remove motion of the lift during high wind events.