Device for handling a load hoisted between two locations offset both vertically and horizontally

• US 8,037,839 B2
• Filed: 11/28/2007
• Issued: 10/18/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Owen James Thistle
• Original Assignee: Owen James Thistle
• Inventors: Thistle, Owen James
• Primary Examiner(s): ADAMS, GREGORY W
• Application Number:
  US11/946,649
• Publication Number:
  US 20080128375A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,420 Days
• Field of Search: 114/268, 114/343, 114/364, 114/373, 114/9, 150/157, 212/180, 212/273, 212/294, 212/307, 212/311, 291/57, 291/65, 29/673.3, 414/137.5
• US Class Current: 114/373
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 1/14 Slings with hooks
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 23/52 Floating cranes floating dredgers E02F

Abstract

A device for handling a load hoisted between two locations offset both vertically and horizontally is described. In particular the device is useful for transferring an outboard motor between an operating location on a dinghy and a storage location on a larger boat. The device makes use of existing lifting devices such as sail halyards and winches and provides both guidance and stabilization of the motor during the transfer.

Claims

1. A lifting system for use with a boat for vertically and horizontally moving a load to and from a boat, comprising:

a pivot arm having a cross member defining a free end and two legs for pivotable connection to a boat, the pivot arm operable between a lower position and an upper position wherein the cross member is sized to permit the load to pass between the two legs such that the load does not interfere with the pivot arm when the pivot arm is in a substantially vertical upper position;

a catching hook connected to the free end in a fixed orientation having a catching surface;

a lifting line having a first end operatively connected to the free end;

a lifting hook slidably engaged with the lifting line, the lifting hook having a lifting hook surface oriented to engage and disengage with the catching surface at a pre-determined position between the upper and lower position;

wherein applying tension to the lifting line when the pivot arm is in the lower position causes arcuate upward movement of the pivot arm and lifting hook such that at the pre-determined position between the lower position and upper position, the lifting hook surface engages with the catching surface to transfer the load to the pivot arm as the pivot arm is moving and wherein releasing tension on the lifting arm when the pivot arm is in the upper position causes downward arcuate movement of the pivot arm and lifting hook such that, at the predetermined position, the lifting hook surface disengages with the catching surface to transfer the load to the lifting line while the lifting line is in tension.

2. A lifting system as in claim 1 further comprising at least one supporting line operatively connected to the pivot arm and the boat for supporting the pivot arm in the lower position.

3. A lifting system as in claim 2 further comprising at least one elastic line operatively connected to the at least one supporting line for maintaining tension in the supporting lines when the pivot arm is in the upper position.

4. A lifting system as in claim 1 wherein the lifting line includes a strap capable of inducing a torsional force to the load to allow the load to pass through the two legs.

5. A lifting system as in claim 1 further comprising a pivot arm catch for releasably securing the pivot arms in the upper position, the pivot arm catch for operative attachment to the boat.

6. A lifting system as in claim 1 wherein the lifting line includes a strap and the load is an outboard motor, the lifting system further comprising a harness for supporting the outboard motor and wherein the harness, strap and lifting hook are arranged in order to allow rotation of the outboard motor to fit between the pivot arm legs in the upper position from induced torsional tension within the strap.

7. A lifting system as in claim 1 further comprising a harness adapted for lifting a person.

8. A lifting system as in claim 1 wherein the legs are telescopic.

9. A lifting system as in claim 1 further comprising a second cross member between the legs for preventing the load from passing completely through the pivot arm.

10. A lifting system as in claim 1 wherein the lifting line is adapted for attachment to a halyard on a boat.

11. A system as in claim 1 wherein the lifting system is attached between two vertical railing posts on a boat.

12. A lifting system for use with a boat for vertically and horizontally moving a load to and from a boat, comprising:

a pivot arm having a cross member defining a free end and two legs for pivotable connection to a boat, the pivot arm operable between a lower position and an upper position;

a load supporting system operatively connected to the free end of the pivot arm and for operative connection to a lifting line on the boat, the load supporting system operatively retaining a lifting hook for connection to a load, the load supporting system including a securing system for securing the lifting hook in close proximity to the pivot arm and wherein, when a lifting tension is applied to the lifting line, the load supporting system causes the pivot arm to pivot upwardly;

at least one supporting line operatively connected to the pivot arm and the boat for supporting the pivot arm in the lower position; and

at least one elastic line operatively connected to the at least one supporting line for maintaining tension in the supporting lines when the pivot arm is in the upper position;

wherein the cross member is sized to permit the load to pass between the two legs such that the load does not interfere with the pivot arm when the pivot arm is in a substantially vertical upper position; and

wherein the securing system includes an open catching hook having a catching surface operatively connected to the free end, the catching surface oriented to engage and support the lifting hook and load when the pivot arm is above a pre-determined position between the lower position and upper position and wherein the catching surface is oriented to disengage from the lifting hook when the pivot arm is below the pre-determined position while the lifting line is in tension.