Floating Dry Storage Facility for Small Boats

Many of the lakes and reservoirs around the country such as those constructed by the Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army, require boat storage facilities to be floating because of the fluctuating surface level of the water. Because of the rise in popularity of boating sports and the population the number of desirable locations on many of the lakes and reservoirs for positioning boat storage facilities on the surface of the water are becoming less numerous. Heretofore, floating storage facilities have been of the type similar to that disclosed in the patent to R. H. Otis, U.S. Pat. No. 3,166,037. These types of facilities are limited to single slips on one level to store the boat. This requires a large area to store numerous boats and such areas are becoming more valuable and harder to find.

In addition to a decreasing number of areas where it is desirable to store boats out of the rough, open water areas, it is undesirable to maintain the boat in the water year around because of deterioration of the boat hull and the possibility of loss from storms and casualties.

Heretofore, dry storage facilities have been limited to land based facilities such as that disclosed in the patent to Filak U.S. Pat. No. 3,189,198 which facility is constructed on land and extends on piers a small distance over the water to remove the boat from the water. The boats are removed and stored over land with a hoist type device. A fixed permanent storage facility is not suitable for use on certain lakes as heretofore mentioned and doesn't compensate for the levels of the water should the level drop or rise drastically. This often occurs on flood control type reservoirs where water must be released or stored during flood conditions.

The dry storage facilities which utilize land adjacent the water edge are constructed somewhat differently from that of floating device since the land based facilities must account for earth vibrations such as earthquake conditions when utilizing a multi-level storage facility such as this. These devices often times have separate support members for supporting the boat and support members for supporting the building to prevent undue stresses on the light building members which must be used.

I have devised a floating dry storage facility for storing boats of a predetermined length. The boats are removed from the water and stored above a platform that is on the water such that as the water surface level varies on the reservoir, the platform will rise or fall with the surface.

The platform generally comprises a network of lateral base supports disposed in a horizontal plane. Flotation members are positioned down each side of the platform in a spaced parallel arrangement. Flotation retaining members are secured about the flotation members to retain them under the plaform network. Walkways are constructed within the building and a pair of spaced longitudinal base supports are disposed centrally over each of the spaced parallel arrangements of the flotation members. These longitudinal base supports support a plurality of vertical columns which support a pair of spaced parallel crane runway rails.

A bridge is moveably secured transversely between the pair of spaced parallel crane runway rails and adapted to move longitudinally through the building. The bridge supports a crane having a downwardly extending mast which is rotatably secured to the bridge and adapted to move about a complete circle. The crane mast supports a moveable pair of outwardly extending parallel members adapted to move under the boat hull and lift the boat out of the body of water.

A second set of vertical columns are arranged a predetermined distance outwardly from a first set of vertical columns over the longitudinal base supports and are supported by the platform network. Spaced parallel purlins are secured to each of the set of vertical columns longitudinally through the building and adapted to support the spaced parallel boat support members secured transversely between the purlins on the inner columns and outer columns forming a runway between the inner columns and compartments between the inner and outer columns.

Cantilever support members are secured to the outer columns and adapted to support the outer shell of the building so that loading of the outer surface of the building occurs on the outer columns. The boats are adapted to be put into the space parallel to the boat support members where the bow of the boat extends toward the outer portion and the transom of the boat are supported by the purlins on the inner columns over the main support longitudinally of the base support.

Roof girders and trusses are supported over the crane runway rails and vertical inner columns to cover the building. A boat slip is formed in the ends of the building to provide an area to which the boat may be moored while awaiting to be picked up out of the water. The boats may be positioned in this area when being taken out for use.

The building is constructed to withstand stresses by securing each of the joints in the platform and columns and beams with a bolt type construction allowing a certain degree of flexibility of the building to prevent structural failure of any member.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a floating dry boat storage facility for storing small boats of a predetermined length over water surfaces in harbor areas without occupying land lying along the water's edge.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a multi-level storage facility capable of floating with the surface levels of the water on reservoirs where the surface levels vary extensively.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a dry storage facility over the surface of the water for small boats to eliminate the problems encountered in wet storage of the boat and the necessity of utilizing a trailer to transport the boat to and from the water reservoir.

Other and further objects of the invention will become apparent upon studying the detailed specification hereinafter following and drawings annexed hereto.

Drawings of two embodiments of the invention are annexed hereto so that the invention may be more fully understood, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing the floating dry storage facility with parts broken away to more clearly illustrate the details of construction;

FIG. 2 is a right side, front perspective view of the building with parts broken away;

FIG. 3 is a top front perspective view with parts broken away to more clearly illustrate the details of construction;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the floor support system;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the boat support members;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the crane system;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the crane;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the building;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9--9 of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10--10 of FIG. 4.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4 of the drawings, the dry storage facility generally comprises a plafform 10 adapted to support the building structure. The building platform 10 generally comprises a network of horizontally disposed joists 12 running transversely across the building from front 10a to back 10b. Connecting members 14 are positioned between joists 12 longitudinally in the building. The joists 12 are connected to connecting members 14 (FIG. 10) by angle brackets 16 which are secured by fasteners such as bolts 18.

Flotation means 20a and 20b are disposed under the platform 10 and secured by carriage bolts or other suitable means to the network of joists 12 and connecting member 14 as will be more full described hereinafter.

Means to retain the flotation means under platform 10 comprises a flange member 22 secured about the outer edge of the platform 10. A boat slip opening 24 is formed in each end 10a and 10b of the plaform 10 to receive small boats B and suitable means to moor the boats are provided. A floor cover 26 such as sheet steel or wood is positioned over the platform 10.

Flotation means 20a and 20b generally comprises large blocks of polystyrene plastic such as Styrofoam.RTM., manufactured by Dow Chemical Company and comprises small beads of polystyrene inflated with air. The flotation means 20a and 20b are positioned in two parallel rows along the longitudinal length of the building on each side thereof as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. To determine the amount of polystyrene plastic blocks needed to float the building, the total weight of the building structure is computed along with the maximum load to be held by the building. The total weight of the building and load is divided by the weight of one cubic feet of water (approximately 62.4 pounds) and this will equal the volume in cubic feet of polystyrene plastic needed to float the building. Flotation means could be ballast tanks or other type flotation devices or material.

For example, a building 281 feet long, 87 feet wide, and 45 feet high in the center with boats may weigh 2.56 million pounds. This includes a 50 pound per square foot live deck load and 30 pounds per square foot live roof load. If you divide the weight of the building 2.56 .times. 10.sup.6 pounds by the weight of water 62.4 pounds per cubic feet, then you must displace 41,025.64 cubic feet of water with an equal volume of flotation means 20a and 20b. This means each side of flotation means 20a and 20b is approximately 24 feet wide and 4 feet deep and is disposed along the 281 foot length of the building.

A pair of spaced parallel support beams 28 and 30 are positioned on each side of slip openings 24 over the center line A of the two rows of polystyrene plastic flotation means 20a and 20b to provide a rigid support for the building. A plurality of vertically extending spaced columns 32 are secured and extend upwardly from the support beams 28 and 30 along the length of the building. The upper end of columns 32 are secured to roof trusses 38. A pair of spaced parallel crane support rails 34 and 36 which run longitudinally through the length of the building are secured to by roof girders 38 adjacent said columns 32.

Roof girders 38 are secured to each of the columns 32 and outer columns 42 and 44 to provide support for the roof structure. Spaced purlins 40 extend longitudinally through the building to provide further support for the roof cover 41 such as sheet metal or the like.

A second set of outer support columns 42 and 44 are positioned in spaced relationship to each row of columns 32 and are secured to and extend upwardly from transverse joists 12 of the platform 10 to roof girders 38. Columns 42 and 44 provide support for the front portion of boats B. Vertically spaced horizontally extending boat support members 46 and 48 (FIGS. 1, 4 and 5) extend longitudinally through the building and are secured to inner columns 32 and outer columns 42 and 44 respectively. Spaced parallel boat hull supports 50 (FIGS. 4 and 5) extend between boat support members 46 and 48 on each side of the building and are secured thereto by brackets 51, bolts, or otherwise secured to members 46 and 48. Since between 75 and 80% of the total weight of the boat B is positioned in the transom portion of the boat most of the structural strength of the building is centered over beams 28 and 30 which are aligned with the transom of the boat since the front portion of the boat B extends outwardly from the center line C of the building. It should be readily apparent that it is desirable to have the outer columns 42 and 44 aligned with each of the inner columns 32 in a transverse manner to provide individual compartments 52 for storage of one or more boats of a predetermined length.

Means to transport the boats into and out of the water comprises a crane support bridge 54 (FIGS. 1 and 6). Crane support bridge 54 comprises a pair of spaced parallel girders 56 and 58 secured to end members 60 and 62. Rollers 64 are rotatably secured to each end member 60 and 62 and adapted to engage the lower flange 34a and 36a of rails 34 and 36. Suitable means to rotate rollers 64 (not shown) to move the crane bridge 64 longitudinally along rails 34 and 36 are provided such as hydraulic or electric motors. A crane truck 66, comprising a platform, is moveably supported over parallel spaced girders 56 and 58 by rollers 68. Suitable drive means (not shown) are provided to move truck 66 between end members 62 and end member 60 between rails 34 and 36. A turntable 70 is rotatably supported by truck 66 and has suitable means to rotate same relative to truck 66. A downwardly depending mast 72 is secured at the upper end of turntable 70, allowing full rotation of the mast 72 relative to truck 66 and transverse movement by truck 66 and longitudinal movement relative to the building by bridge 54. A telescoping mast 74 is slideably disposed over mast 72 to allow vertical movement relative to mast 72. Suitable means such as cable 78 having one end secured to turntable 70 and routed around pulley 79 and onto winch 76 are provided for moving telescoping mast 74 relative to mast 72. A horizontally disposed platform 80 is slideably disposed over the telescopic mast 74 to allow movement of platform 80 relative to a longitudinal axis of telescopic mast 74. Means to move platform 80 comprises a cable 82 having a first end secured to turntable 70 and routed about pulley 84 and to winch 86 on platform 70 for movement of platform 80 vertically. A pair of spaced parallel tines 88 and 90 are moveably secured on tine support member 92. Tines 88 and 90 may be adjusted outwardly for different widths of boats. The tines 88 and 90 are adapted to a position below the water and extend under the boat from the transom T along toward the bow of the boat thus positioning the weight of the boat on the rear portion of the tines 88 and 90 toward platform 80. Platform 80 and telescopic mast 74 are then raised upwardly to lift the boat out of the water or lowered to put the boat into the water. A housing 94 is provided for the operator and suitable hydraulic controls (not shown) are provided to drive the various hydraulic or electrical motors of the crane.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, cantilever support members 98 extend outwardly from outer columns 42 and 44 to support the outer building walls 100 thus loading the columns 42 and 44 further which are positioned over the flotation means 20 on each side to reduce the amount of flotation required to balance the weight of the building.

The front 6 and back are supported by cross members 102 and studs 103. Front 6 is a sheet metal cover having doors 104 where needed.

Operation of the hereinbefore described invention is as follows: p To place a boat B in storage, the boat is moored in slip opening 24 by the owner or operator of the boat until the crane can be positioned adjacent the vicinity of the boat B. The operator then maneuvers the crane by controlling lateral movement of bridge 54, truck 66 and turntable 70 and vertical movement of telescopicing mast 74 and platform 80 to position the tines 88 and 90 under the transom T of the boat B. The operator moves the tines 88 and 90 forward under the transom T of the boat B adjacent, but spaced from the bottom hull of the boat B. The operator lifts the boat B vertically out of the water by movement of platform 80 and telescopic mast 74 upwardly. Truck 66 is then centered relative to bridge 54, and bridge 54 is moved along until it is adjacent a compartment 52 which is vacant. The turntable 70 is then rotated to bring the boat about 90.degree. such that the bow of the boat is pointed outwardly of the centerline C of the building and the longitudinal axis of the boat is transverse to the longitudinal axis C of the building. The boat B is centered over the spaced parallel boat support members 50 and truck 66 is moved toward the compartment 52 to insert the boat B into the compartment 52. The tines 88 and 90 are then lowered positioning the transom T of the boat B adjacent the boat support 46 on the inner columns 32 and the hull onto boat hull supports 50. The tines 88 and 90 are further lowered below the upper surface 50a of supports 50 and truck 66 is reversed to move the tines outwardly of the compartment 52 wherein the boat is stored there until ready for use again. The process is reversed for positioning a boat out of compartment 52 into the body of water.

It should be readily apparent that suitable walkways may be provided within the building and from the building to land areas where desirable or transportation may be provided to and from the shore on larger bodies of water. The building may be anchored by a suitable means such as flexible cables or poles which allow vertical movement of the building relative to the longitudinal axis of the poles.

FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of the crane having a fixed downwardly depending mast 74' which extends downwardly to the floor 26 but is spaced therefrom to allow movement of the mast 74' longitudinally through the building. Platform 80' is slideably disposed over the fixed mast 74' and has suitable means for movement of the mast and platform 80' relative to fixed mast 74'. Tines 88' and 90' extend downwardly from tine support member 92' a sufficient distance to allow movement into the water approximately 4 to 6 feet. Tines 88' and 90' then extend in a horizontal plane outwardly therefrom in a manner similar to that in the first embodiment. Winch 86' is secured to cable 82' which are routed around pulley 84' on each end of platform 80' to provide a means to lift the platform 80'. Movement of the crane is similar to that described in the first embodiment. However, platform 80' is the only controllable heighth adjustment and tines 88' and 90' are positioned under the water behind the transom of the boat B and move forward under the boat hull until the transom T is adjacent the platform 80'. The boat B is then lifted out of the water by lifting platform 80' and positioned in a compartment 52 in a manner similar to that previously described.

From the foregoing it should be readily apparent that each of the embodiments hereinbefore described accomplishes the objects of the invention.

It should be readily apparent that other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic concept heretofore disclosed.