Boat docking apparatus that maintains boat away from shallow waters

Abstract

The docking apparatus of the present invention is designed and configured to maintain a floating dock with a boat attached thereto within deep enough areas of a lake, river, or the like so that the boat or dock does not collide with land as it would if the water was shallow. The water level of lakes, rivers, and the like vary depending on the time of the year. A boat that is docked for an extended period of time may collide with the floor of the lake, river, or the like as the water level decreases. The docking apparatus of the present invention has a depth sensing system that senses the water depth directly underneath the floating dock and the boat. When the water depth decreases below a predetermined level, the docking apparatus of the present invention energizes an electric motor to move the floating dock and boat along a chain and away from shore onto deeper areas where the water depth is greater than the predetermined level.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A docking apparatus that is attached to a floating dock that is on a lake, river, or the like and comprising:
 a timer electrically connected to a depth sensing system that is electrically connected to an electric motor;   said electric motor having a rotating shaft to which a pulley is attached;   said pulley having a plurality of pockets that pull a chain that is wrapped partially around said pulley when said electric motor is energized to: rotate said rotating shaft;   said timer energizes said depth sensing system at predetermined times to sense the water depth underneath said floating dock; and   when said water depth is lower than a predetermined level, said electric motor is energized until said water depth is greater than said predetermined level.   
     
     
         2 . A docking apparatus that is attached to a floating dock that is on a lake, river, or the like according to  claim 1  wherein said depth sensing system comprises:
 a hose connected to an air pump and a pressure sensor so that said air pump can inject air inside said hose, and said pressure sensor can sense the pressure inside said hose at predetermined times set by said timer; and 
 the lowermost end of said hose is positioned inside the water of said lake, river, or the like so that said pressure inside said hose after air is injected by said air pump decreases as said water depth decreases. 
 
     
     
         3 . A docking apparatus that is attached to a floating dock that is on a lake, river, or the like according to  claim 1  wherein said chain is arranged longitudinally along said floating dock and comprising:
 a front end that is anchored underwater to the floor of said lake, river, and the like past the farthest extension of said floating dock; and 
 a back end that is anchored to the shore of said lake, river, and the like. 
 
     
     
         4 . A docking apparatus that is attached to a floating dock that is on a lake, river, or the like according to  claim 3  wherein said floating dock moves along said chain away from said shore when said electric motor is energized. 
     
     
         5 . A docking apparatus that is attached to a floating dock comprising:
 a depth sensing system that periodically senses the water depth underneath said floating dock;   an electric motor that is energized when said depth sensing system determines that said water depth is below a predetermined level; and   a chain along which said floating dock moves when said electric motor is energized.   
     
     
         6 . A docking apparatus that is attached to a floating dock according to  claim 5  wherein said depth sensing system comprises:
 a hose connected to an air pump and a pressure sensor so that said air pump can inject air inside said hose and said pressure sensor can sense the pressure inside said hose; and 
 said hose is positioned so that said pressure inside said hose after air is injected by said air pump decreases as said water depth decreases. 
 
     
     
         7 . A docking apparatus that is attached to a floating dock according to  claim 5  wherein said chain is arranged longitudinally along said floating dock and comprising:
 a front end that is anchored underwater past the farthest extension of said floating dock; and 
 a back end that is anchored to land outside the water. 
 
     
     
         8 . A docking apparatus that is attached to a floating dock according to  claim 7  wherein said floating dock moves along said chain when said electric motor is energized. 
     
     
         9 . A docking apparatus that is attached to a floating dock on a lake, river, or the like comprising:
 a depth sensing system that periodically senses the water depth underneath said floating dock; and   a motor that moves said floating dock away from the shore of said lake, river, or the like when said depth sensing system determines said water depth is below a predetermined level.   
     
     
         10 . A docking apparatus that is attached to a floating dock according to  claim 9  wherein said depth sensing system comprises:
 a hose connected to an air pump and a pressure sensor so that said air pump can inject air inside said hose and said pressure sensor can sense the pressure inside said hose; and 
 said hose is positioned so that said pressure inside said hose after air is injected by said air pump decreases as said water depth decreases. 
 
     
     
         11 . A docking apparatus that is attached to a floating dock according to  claim 9  further comprising a chain that is arranged longitudinally along said floating dock having a front end that is anchored underwater past the farthest extension of said floating dock; and a back end that is anchored to land outside the water. 
     
     
         12 . A docking apparatus that is attached to a floating dock according to  claim 11  wherein said floating dock moves along said chain when said motor is energized. 
     
     
         13 . A docking apparatus that is attached to a floating dock according to  claim 1  wherein said chain is replaced by a cable. 
     
     
         14 . A docking apparatus that is attached to a floating dock according to  claim 5  wherein said chain is replaced by a cable.