Adjustable support system for marine craft

Abstract

Systems are provided to support marine craft comprising a plurality of support apparatus. Each support apparatus is comprised of a surface for contact with the marine craft, an extension member which is fastened at one end to a base and connected pivotably at its other end to the surface, and the base. The base provides means for fixedly engaging and retaining the extension member at a given orientation. The base is attached to the extension member at its end remote from the end which is connected to the surface. In additon, the base provides means for adjustably connecting the base to adjacent bases, which in turn engage adjacent extension members. The plurality of support apparatus are arranged such that a marine craft which contacts the surfaces of the support device is supported in a stationary position.

I claim: 
     
       1. A system to support marine craft comprising a plurality of support apparatus each in turn comprising: (a) an essentially flat surface pad member for contact with the hull of the marine craft;   (b) a longitudinally adjustable extension member, said extension member being adjustably engaged at one end to a T-shaped base and connected pivotally at the other end to the surface pad member; and   (c) said T-shaped base in turn comprising: (i) a .Iadd.plurality of base members defining the plane of the T-shaped base, (ii) a .Iaddend.receptacle member disposed at an acute angle relative to the plane of the T-shaped base which telescopically engages said extension member at the end of said extension member remote from the end pivotally connected to said surface pad member, and characterized as fixedly engaging and retaining said extension member at a given orientation;   .[.(ii).]. .Iadd.(iii) .Iaddend.at least one strut capable of engaging with at least .[.an.]. .Iadd.one .Iaddend.opposing T-shaped base; and   .[.(iii).]. .Iadd.(iv) .Iaddend.at least one brace member .[.vertically.]. disposed between .[.said strut.]. .Iadd.at least one base member of said T-shaped base .Iaddend.and said receptacle member, said brace .Iadd.member .Iaddend.being capable of .[.bearing vertical loads,.]. fixedly engaging and supporting said receptacle member, said plurality of support apparatus arranged such that .Iadd.a .Iaddend.marine craft which contacts the surfaces of said support .[.device.]. .Iadd.system .Iaddend.is supported in a stationary manner.       
     
     
       2. A system to support marine craft as recited in claim 1, comprising three or more substantially similar support appparatus. 
     
     
       3. A system to support marine craft as recited in claim 1, wherein said base can be adjustably connected to adjacent bases by means of struts, which are inserted into channels in each leg of said T-shaped base. 
     
     
       4. A system to support marine craft as recited in claim 3, wherein a telescoping engagement between said strut and said base provides means for adjustably connecting said base to adjacent bases. 
     
     
       5. A system to support marine craft as recited in claim 1, wherein the distance between said surface pad member and said base is adjustable. 
     
     
       6. A system to support marine craft as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one keel support apparatus in weight bearing relationship to said marine craft being engaged to a strut member which connects opposing T-shaped bases. 
     
     
       7. A system to support marine craft as recited in claim 1, wherein said base further comprises: (a) three base members, each of which are capable of attaching by means of a telescoping engagement to a strut; and   (b) one receptacle member which is capable of accepting and attaching to said extension member.   
     
     
       8. A system to support marine craft as recited in claim 6 wherein said keel support apparatus comprising an essentially flat surface pad member being pivotally connected to an extension member which adjustably engages a receptacle member. .Iadd. 
     
     
       9.  A system to support marine craft as recited in claim 1, wherein said brace member is vertically disposed between said base member and said receptacle member, said brace member being capable of bearing vertical loads, fixedly engaging and supporting said receptacle member. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 
     
     
       10.  A system to support marine craft as recited in claim 1, wherein said brace member is attached at one end to said receptacle member and at the end remote from said receptacle member to said base member, said brace member providing means for fixedly engaging and retaining said receptacle member at an acute angle relative to the plane of said T-shaped base. .Iaddend.