Abstract

In one aspect the invention provides a boat support frame loading and unloading apparatus configured to draw a boat on to and off a boat support frame. This boat support frame has a loading end and a terminal end opposite to the loading end. The apparatus provided includes at least one roller assembly mounted to the support frame adjacent to the loading end of the support frame, said at least one roller assembly incorporating at least one roller element. The apparatus also includes at least one drive mechanism configured to rotate one or more roller elements to draw a boat onto and off the support frame through the loading end of the support frame. The roller assembly also includes a hull contact surface formed by a flexible belt which has a circumference greater than the circumference of the said at least one roller element incorporated into the roller assembly.

IPC Classes  ?

• B60P 3/10 - Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects for carrying vehicles for carrying boats
• B63C 3/12 - Launching or hauling-out, e.g. by landborne slipwaysSlipways using cradles
• B62D 63/06 - Trailers

Abstract

This invention relates to a loading mechanism, including a first roller assembly and second roller assembly, at least one mounting for the first and second roller assemblies, wherein the first roller assembly and second roller assembly each have a longitudinal axis, a drive mechanism configured to rotate the first roller assembly and second roller assembly, so as to move an object, wherein as the weight of the object applies pressure to at least one of the first and second roller assemblies the mounting allows the roller assemblies to move so as to change the angle between the longitudinal axis of the first and second roller assemblies.

IPC Classes  ?

• B63C 3/12 - Launching or hauling-out, e.g. by landborne slipwaysSlipways using cradles
• B60P 3/10 - Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects for carrying vehicles for carrying boats
• B63C 3/02 - Launching or hauling-out, e.g. by landborne slipwaysSlipways by longitudinal movement of vessel
• B60P 1/52 - Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading using rollers in the load supporting or containing element
• B62D 63/06 - Trailers
• B62D 63/08 - Component parts or accessories
• B65G 13/02 - Roller-ways having driven rollers
• B65G 39/12 - Arrangements of rollers mounted on framework
• B65G 39/18 - Arrangements of rollers mounted on framework for guiding loads