Large-Scale Watercraft Storage Facility

Abstract

A warehousing and dry storage system and apparatus are directed to powerboats and yachts from about (30) to (80) feet in length. The basic units of the apparatus comprise at least one horizontally and vertically movable prime mover and a plurality of wheeled cradles or storage frames of very robust construction. The prime mover has a horizontal railed portion upon which rides a tow frame. The tow frame, in turn, is driven by a cable or chain to a reversible electric gear motor for movement of a cradle. The prime mover aligns with heavy structural horizontal frame members of the warehouse. These frame members serve as rails in supporting the wheeled cradles. The wheeled cradles are equipped with boat pads for direct supporting contact with a boat hull. Power yachts, each weighing many tons, can easily be supported in a stacked configuration in racks in an enclosed warehouse with the configuration of the invention.

1 . A watercraft storage and retrieval apparatus comprising a plurality of storage locations defined by structural members, a plurality of cradles for supporting watercraft thereon, said cradles movable into, and out of, the storage locations, 
 a prime mover having a tow frame thereon movable horizontally relative to the prime mover, said prime mover movable both horizontally and vertically,    and means on the tow frame to engage and disengage a cradle for movement of a cradle onto, and off of, the prime mover.    
   
   
       2 . The watercraft storage and retrieval apparatus of  claim 1  wherein at least some of the structural members forming the storage locations are horizontal and form storage rails for supporting cradles.  
   
   
       3 . The watercraft storage and retrieval apparatus of  claim 1 , including a traveling crane, said prime mover being suspended from the crane.  
   
   
       4 . A watercraft storage and retrieval system comprising a plurality of storage locations, a prime mover for carrying, delivering and retrieving a watercraft, said prime mover including a tow frame thereon, 
 a plurality of boat supporting cradles associated with the storage locations, said cradles connectable to the tow frame for retrieval from, and delivery to, the storage locations.    
   
   
       5 . The watercraft storage and retrieval system of  claim 4 , including means to engage and align the prime mover to any one of the storage locations for delivery of a cradle to, or retrieval of a cradle from, said storage location.  
   
   
       6 . The watercraft storage and retrieval apparatus of  claim 1 , including means to engage and align the prime mover to any one of the storage locations for delivery of a cradle to, or retrieval of a cradle from, said storage location.