Boat lifting and stacking vehicle

Abstract

A boat lifting and stacking vehicle having a low profile frame, a carriage connected to a frame via a transverse I-beam track, a mast having a pair of forks protruding therefrom, and a hydraulic suspension system. The vehicle further includes an operating console that moves transversely and vertically with the carriage for enhanced operator visibility. Additionally, the vehicle does not require extra counterweights as the length of the frame and location of the engine equipment and fuel tanks provide adequate rotational balance for even the heaviest boat loads during the boat storage process. Moreover, the front wheel bases include a pair of deployable hydraulic cylinders that work in combination with the wheels as a weight distribution means. For proper loading and unloading alignment, a variety of steering options are available via the computer operated controls.

1 . A boat lifting and stacking vehicle, comprising:
 an elongated frame including parallel side rails; and   a carriage mounted on the rails and moveable along the length thereof, said carriage having an upright mast and an operator console mounted thereon, the operator console being moveable with said carriage from the front of the frame to the rear of the frame.   
   
   
       2 . The boat lifting and stacking vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the operator console is capable of positive lift when the mast is in positive lift. 
   
   
       3 . The boat lifting and stacking vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the frame has cross-members and structural tubing to rigidly maintain the frame in a planar-rectangular form in use. 
   
   
       4 . The boat lifting and stacking vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein said operator console is pivotal through 180 degrees to selectively face the front of the frame or the rear of the frame. 
   
   
       5 . The boat lifting and stacking vehicle of  claim 2 , including an operator console lifting mechanism. 
   
   
       6 . The boat lifting and stacking vehicle of  claim 5 , wherein the operator console lifting mechanism comprises a scissor-type lift. 
   
   
       7 . The boat lifting and stacking vehicle of  claim 1 , including a plurality of independently steerable ground-engaging wheels associated with the frame. 
   
   
       8 . The boat lifting and stacking vehicle of  claim 7 , including means for driving the wheels associated with each rail. 
   
   
       9 . The boat lifting and stacking vehicle of  claim 7 , wherein each wheel is independently driven and steered by input from the operator console. 
   
   
       10 . The boat lifting and stacking vehicle of  claim 7 , wherein each wheel is mounted on an L-shaped support beam connected to a rotatable shaft mechanism, which is connected to a wheel support bridge on the frame. 
   
   
       11 . The boat lifting and stacking vehicle of  claim 10 , further comprising a support bar pivotally connected to each wheel support bridge and engaged by a hydraulic suspension system, the shaft mechanism engaging the support bar. 
   
   
       12 . The boat lifting and stacking vehicle of  claim 10 , further comprising hydraulic supports on the wheel support bridges. 
   
   
       13 . The boat lifting and stacking vehicle of  claim 10 , further comprising stairs and rails on the wheel support bridge adjacent the operator console. 
   
   
       14 . The boat lifting and stacking vehicle of  claim 7 , wherein the vehicle is capable of circle steering, crab steering, and side steering. 
   
   
       15 . A boat lifting and stacking vehicle, comprising:
 an elongated frame including parallel side rails;   a carriage mounted on the rails and moveable along the length thereof, said carriage having an upright mast and an operator console mounted thereon; and   a plurality of independently steerable, ground-engaging wheels associated with the frame, each of said wheels rotatable through 180 degrees.   
   
   
       16 . The boat lifting and stacking vehicle of  claim 15 , wherein each wheel is mounted on an L-shaped support beam connected to a rotatable shaft mechanism, which is connected to a wheel support bridge on the frame. 
   
   
       17 . The boat lifting and stacking vehicle of  claim 16 , further comprising a support bar pivotally connected to each wheel support bridge and engaged by a hydraulic suspension system, the shaft mechanism engaging the support bar. 
   
   
       18 . The boat lifting and stacking vehicle of  claim 16 , further comprising hydraulic supports on the wheel support bridges near a front of the frame. 
   
   
       19 . The boat lifting and stacking vehicle of  claim 16 , further comprising stairs and rails on the wheel support bridge adjacent the operator console. 
   
   
       20 . The boat lifting and stacking vehicle of  claim 15 , wherein the frame has cross-members and structural tubing to rigidly maintain the frame in a planar-rectangular form in use. 
   
   
       21 . The boat lifting and stacking vehicle of  claim 15 , including means for driving the wheels associated with each rail. 
   
   
       22 . The boat lifting and stacking vehicle of  claim 21 , wherein each wheel is independently driven and steered by input from the operator console. 
   
   
       23 . The boat lifting and stacking vehicle of  claim 15 , wherein the vehicle is capable of circle steering, crab steering, and side steering. 
   
   
       24 . The boat lifting and stacking vehicle of  claim 15 , wherein the carriage is moveable along the length of the frame and the operator console is moveable with said carriage.