Adjustable width watercraft lift

Abstract

A free-standing watercraft lift providing a simple adjustment of lateral position of the bunks used to support a watercraft using telescoping cross members on the lifting frames and adjustable spacing of the side beams.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A watercraft lift for raising and lowering a watercraft in water, comprising:
 a base frame including at least spaced apart forward and rearward laterally extending base members;   a left side watercraft support for supporting the watercraft thereon;   a right side watercraft support for supporting the watercraft thereon;   a left side support frame having a forward support member with a lower end portion and an upper end portion, and a rearward support member with a lower end portion and an upper end portion, the lower end portions of the forward and rearward support members of the left side support frame being pivotally connected to the base frame, and the upper end portions of the forward and rearward support members of the left side support frame being pivotally connected to the left side watercraft support; and   a right side support frame having a forward support member with a lower end portion and an upper end portion, and a rearward support member with a lower end portion and an upper end portion, the lower end portions of the forward and rearward support members of the right side support frame being pivotally connected to the base frame, and the upper end portions of the forward and rearward support members of the right side support frame being pivotally connected to the right side watercraft support, at least one of the left and right side support frames being selectively laterally movable relative to the other and the base frame to permit adjustment of the lateral distance between the left and right side watercraft supports, and being lockable in place to prevent further lateral movement thereof during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side watercraft supports.   
     
     
         2 . The watercraft lift of  claim 1 , wherein the forward support member of the left side support frame and the forward support member of the right side support frame are connected together by a transverse forward support member extending between the forward support member of the left side support frame and the forward support member of the right side support frame, and the rearward support member of the left side support frame and the rearward support member of the right side support frame are connected together by a transverse rearward support member extending between the rearward support member of the left side support frame and the rearward support member of the right side support frame, the transverse forward and rearward support members being selectively extendable to accommodate the lateral movement of the at least one selectively laterally movable one of the left and right side support frames, and lockable in place to prevent further extension thereof during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side watercraft supports. 
     
     
         3 . The watercraft lift of  claim 2 , wherein the transverse forward support member has a left side end portion connected to the forward support member of the left side support frame, a right side end portion connected to the forward support member of the right side support frame, and a middle portion adjustably movable relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse forward support member to provide for the extendable movement of the transverse forward support member to accommodate the lateral movement of the at least one selectively laterally movable one of the left and right side support frames, and lockable in place relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse forward support member to prevent further extension of the transverse forward support member during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side watercraft supports, and the transverse rearward support member has a left side end portion connected to the rearward support member of the left side support frame, a right side end portion connected to the rearward support member of the right side support frame, and a middle portion adjustably movable relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse rearward support member to provide for the extendable movement of the transverse rearward support member to accommodate the lateral movement of the at least one selectively laterally movable one of the left and right side support frames, and lockable in place relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse rearward support member to prevent further extension of the transverse rearward support member during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side watercraft supports. 
     
     
         4 . The watercraft lift of  claim 2 , wherein the transverse forward support member has a left side end portion connected to the forward support member of the left side support frame and a right side end portion connected to the forward support member of the right side support frame, the left and right side portions of the transverse forward support member being selectively laterally movable relative to the other to provide for the extendable movement of the transverse forward support member to accommodate the lateral movement of the at least one selectively laterally movable one of the left and right side support frames, and lockable in place relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse forward support member to prevent further extension of the transverse forward support member during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side watercraft supports, and the transverse rearward support member has a left side end portion connected to the rearward support member of the left side support frame and a right side end portion connected to the rearward support member of the right side support frame, the left and right side portions of the transverse rearward support member being selectively laterally movable relative to the other to provide for the extendable movement of the transverse rearward support member to accommodate the lateral movement of the at least one selectively laterally movable one of the left and right side support frame, and lockable in place relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse rearward support member to prevent further extension of the transverse rearward support member during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side watercraft supports. 
     
     
         5 . The watercraft lift of  claim 1 , wherein the forward support member of the left side support frame and the forward support member of the right side support frame are connected together by a transverse forward support member extending between the forward support member of the left side support frame and the forward support member of the right side support frame, the transverse forward support member being selectively extendable to accommodate the lateral movement of the at least one selectively laterally movable one of the left and right side support frames, and lockable in place to prevent further extension thereof during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side watercraft supports. 
     
     
         6 . The watercraft lift of  claim 5 , wherein the transverse forward support member has a left side end portion connected to the forward support member of the left side support frame, a right side end portion connected to the forward support member of the right side support frame, and a middle portion adjustably movable relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse forward support member to provide for the extendable movement of the transverse forward support member to accommodate the lateral movement of the at least one selectively laterally movable one of the left and right side support frames, and lockable in place relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse forward support member to prevent further extension of the transverse forward support member during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side watercraft supports. 
     
     
         7 . The watercraft lift of  claim 5 , wherein the transverse forward support member has a left side end portion connected to the forward support member of the left side support frame and a right side end portion connected to the forward support member of the right side support frame, the left and right side portions of the transverse forward support member being selectively laterally movable relative to the other to provide for the extendable movement of the transverse forward support member to accommodate the lateral movement of the at least one selectively laterally movable one of the left and right side support frames, and lockable in place relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse forward support member to prevent further extension of the transverse forward support member during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side watercraft supports. 
     
     
         8 . The watercraft lift of  claim 1 , wherein the rearward support member of the left side support frame and the rearward support member of the right side support frame are connected together by a transverse rearward support member extending between the rearward support member of the left side support frame and the rearward support member of the right side support frame, the transverse rearward support members being selectively extendable to accommodate the lateral movement of the at least one selectively laterally movable one of the left and right side support frames, and lockable in place to prevent further extension thereof during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side watercraft supports. 
     
     
         9 . The watercraft lift of  claim 8 , wherein the transverse rearward support member has a left side end portion connected to the rearward support member of the left side support frame, a right side end portion connected to the rearward support member of the right side support frame, and a middle portion adjustably movable relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse rearward support member to provide for the extendable movement of the transverse rearward support member to accommodate the lateral movement of the at least one selectively laterally movable one of the left and right side support frames, and lockable in place relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse rearward support member to prevent further extension of the transverse rearward support member during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side watercraft supports. 
     
     
         10 . The watercraft lift of  claim 8 , wherein the transverse rearward support member has a left side end portion connected to the rearward support member of the left side support frame and a right side end portion connected to the rearward support member of the right side support frame, the left and right side portions of the transverse rearward support member being selectively laterally movable relative to the other to provide for the extendable movement of the transverse rearward support member to accommodate the lateral movement of the at least one selectively laterally movable one of the left and right side support frame, and lockable in place relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse rearward support member to prevent further extension of the transverse rearward support member during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side watercraft supports. 
     
     
         11 . The watercraft lift of  claim 1 , wherein the base frame includes a left side base member extending between the forward and rearward laterally extending base members and a right side base member extending between the forward and rearward laterally extending base members, with the lower end portions of the forward and rearward support members of the left side support frame being pivotally connected to the left side base member, and with the lower end portions of the forward and rearward support members of the right side support frame being pivotally connected to the right side base member, at least one of the left and right side base members being selectively laterally movable relative to the other and the forward and rearward laterally extending base members of the base frame to accomplish the lateral movement of the at least one selectively laterally movable one of the left and right side support frames, and being lockable in place relative to the forward and rearward laterally extending base members to prevent further lateral movement thereof relative to the forward and rearward laterally extending base members during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side watercraft supports. 
     
     
         12 . The watercraft lift of  claim 11 , further including at least one hydraulic cylinder to selectively pivot the left and right side support frames for raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side watercraft supports, and wherein the left side base member and the right side base member are connected together by a transverse hydraulic cylinder support member extending between the left and right side base members and to which one end portion of the at least one hydraulic cylinder is connected, the transverse hydraulic cylinder support members being selectively extendable to accommodate the lateral movement of the at least one of the selectively laterally movable one of the left and right side base members, and lockable in place to prevent further extension thereof during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side watercraft supports. 
     
     
         13 . A watercraft lift for raising and lowering a watercraft in water, comprising:
 a base frame including at least spaced apart forward and rearward laterally extending base members;   a left side bunk for supporting the watercraft thereon;   a right side bunk for supporting the watercraft thereon;   a left side support frame having a forward support member with a lower end portion and an upper end portion, and a rearward support member with a lower end portion and an upper end portion, the lower end portions of the forward and rearward support members of the left side support frame being pivotally connected to the base frame, and the upper end portions of the forward and rearward support members of the left side support frame being pivotally connected to the left side bunk, the left side support frame being selectively laterally movable relative to the forward and rearward laterally extending base members of the base frame to thereby adjust the lateral distance between the left and right side bunks, and lockable in place to prevent further lateral movement thereof during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side bunks; and   a right side support frame having a forward support member with a lower end portion and an upper end portion, and a rearward support member with a lower end portion and an upper end portion, the lower end portions of the forward and rearward support members of the right side support frame being pivotally connected to the base frame, and the upper end portions of the forward and rearward support members of the right side support frame being pivotally connected to the right side bunk, the right side support frame being selectively laterally movable relative to the forward and rearward laterally extending base members of the base frame to permit adjustment of the lateral distance between the left and right side bunks, and lockable in place to prevent further lateral movement thereof during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side bunks.   
     
     
         14 . The watercraft lift of  claim 13 , wherein the forward support member of the left side support frame and the forward support member of the right side support frame are connected together by a transverse forward support member extending between the forward support member of the left side support frame and the forward support member of the right side support frame, and the rearward support member of the left side support frame and the rearward support member of the right side support frame are connected together by a transverse rearward support member extending between the rearward support member of the left side support frame and the rearward support member of the right side support frame, the transverse forward and rearward support members being selectively extendable to accommodate the lateral movement of the left and right side support frames, and lockable in place to prevent further extension thereof during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side bunks. 
     
     
         15 . The watercraft lift of  claim 14 , wherein the transverse forward support member has a left side end portion connected to the forward support member of the left side support frame, a right side end portion connected to the forward support member of the right side support frame, and a middle portion adjustably movable relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse forward support member to provide for the extendable movement of the transverse forward support member to accommodate the lateral movement of the left and right side support frames, and lockable in place relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse forward support member to prevent further extension of the transverse forward support member during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side bunks, and the transverse rearward support member has a left side end portion connected to the rearward support member of the left side support frame, a right side end portion connected to the rearward support member of the right side support frame, and a middle portion adjustably movable relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse rearward support member to provide for the extendable movement of the transverse rearward support member to accommodate the lateral movement of the left and right side support frames, and lockable in place relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse rearward support member to prevent further extension of the transverse rearward support member during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side bunks. 
     
     
         16 . The watercraft lift of  claim 14 , wherein the transverse forward support member has a left side end portion connected to the forward support member of the left side support frame and a right side end portion connected to the forward support member of the right side support frame, the left and right side portions of the transverse forward support member being selectively laterally movable relative to the other to provide for the extendable movement of the transverse forward support member to accommodate the lateral movement of the left and right side support frames, and lockable in place relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse forward support member to prevent further extension of the transverse forward support member during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side bunks, and the transverse rearward support member has a left side end portion connected to the rearward support member of the left side support frame and a right side end portion connected to the rearward support member of the right side support frame, the left and right side portions of the transverse rearward support member being selectively laterally movable relative to the other to provide for the extendable movement of the transverse rearward support member to accommodate the lateral movement of the left and right side support frame, and lockable in place relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse rearward support member to prevent further extension of the transverse rearward support member during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side bunks. 
     
     
         17 . The watercraft lift of  claim 13 , wherein the forward support member of the left side support frame and the forward support member of the right side support frame are connected together by a transverse forward support member extending between the forward support member of the left side support frame and the forward support member of the right side support frame, the transverse forward support member being selectively extendable to accommodate the lateral movement of the left and right side support frames, and lockable in place to prevent further extension thereof during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side bunks. 
     
     
         18 . The watercraft lift of  claim 17 , wherein the transverse forward support member has a left side end portion connected to the forward support member of the left side support frame, a right side end portion connected to the forward support member of the right side support frame, and a middle portion adjustably movable relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse forward support member to provide for the extendable movement of the transverse forward support member to accommodate the lateral movement of the left and right side support frames, and lockable in place relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse forward support member to prevent further extension of the transverse forward support member during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side bunks. 
     
     
         19 . The watercraft lift of  claim 17 , wherein the transverse forward support member has a left side end portion connected to the forward support member of the left side support frame and a right side end portion connected to the forward support member of the right side support frame, the left and right side portions of the transverse forward support member being selectively laterally movable relative to the other to provide for the extendable movement of the transverse forward support member to accommodate the lateral movement of the left and right side support frames, and lockable in place relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse forward support member to prevent further extension of the transverse forward support member during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side bunks. 
     
     
         20 . The watercraft lift of  claim 13 , wherein the rearward support member of the left side support frame and the rearward support member of the right side support frame are connected together by a transverse rearward support member extending between the rearward support member of the left side support frame and the rearward support member of the right side support frame, the transverse rearward support members being selectively extendable to accommodate the lateral movement of the left and right side support frames, and lockable in place to prevent further extension thereof during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side bunks. 
     
     
         21 . The watercraft lift of  claim 20 , wherein the transverse rearward support member has a left side end portion connected to the rearward support member of the left side support frame, a right side end portion connected to the rearward support member of the right side support frame, and a middle portion adjustably movable relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse rearward support member to provide for the extendable movement of the transverse rearward support member to accommodate the lateral movement of the left and right side support frames, and lockable in place relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse rearward support member to prevent further extension of the transverse rearward support member during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side bunks. 
     
     
         22 . The watercraft lift of  claim 20 , wherein the transverse rearward support member has a left side end portion connected to the rearward support member of the left side support frame and a right side end portion connected to the rearward support member of the right side support frame, the left and right side portions of the transverse rearward support member being selectively laterally movable relative to the other to provide for the extendable movement of the transverse rearward support member to accommodate the lateral movement of the left and right side support frame, and lockable in place relative to the left and right side end portions of the transverse rearward support member to prevent further extension of the transverse rearward support member during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side bunks. 
     
     
         23 . The watercraft lift of  claim 13 , wherein the base frame includes a left side base member extending between the forward and rearward laterally extending base members and a right side base member extending between the forward and rearward laterally extending base members, with the lower end portions of the forward and rearward support members of the left side support frame being pivotally connected to the left side base member, and with the lower end portions of the forward and rearward support members of the right side support frame being pivotally connected to the right side base member, at least one of the left and right side base members being selectively laterally movable relative to the other and the forward and rearward laterally extending base members of the base frame to accomplish the lateral movement of the left and right side support frames, and being lockable in place relative to the forward and rearward laterally extending base members to prevent further lateral movement thereof relative to the forward and rearward laterally extending base members during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side bunks. 
     
     
         24 . The watercraft lift of  claim 23 , further including at least one hydraulic cylinder to selectively pivot the left and right side support frames for raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side bunks, and wherein the left side base member and the right side base member are connected together by a transverse hydraulic cylinder support member extending between the left and right side base members and to which one end portion of the at least one hydraulic cylinder is connected, the transverse hydraulic cylinder support members being selectively extendable to accommodate the lateral movement of the left and right side base members, and lockable in place to prevent further extension thereof during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side bunks. 
     
     
         25 . A watercraft lift for raising and lowering a watercraft in water, comprising:
 a base frame;   a left side bunk for supporting the watercraft thereon;   a right side bunk for supporting the watercraft thereon;   a forward support frame having left and right side forward support members, each with a lower end portion pivotally connected to the base frame and an upper end portion, the upper end portion of the left side forward support member being pivotally connected to the left side bunk and the upper end portion of the right side forward support member being pivotally connected to the right side bunk, the left and right side forward support members of the forward support frame being adjustably laterally movable relative to each other to thereby permit selective lateral movement of the left and right side forward support members of the forward support frame to adjust the lateral distance between the left and right side bunks, and lockable in place to prevent further lateral movement thereof during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side bunks; and   a rearward support frame having left and right side rearward support members, each with a lower end portion pivotally connected to the base frame and an upper end portion, the upper end portion of the left side rearward support member being pivotally connected to the left side bunk and the upper end portion of the right side rearward support member being pivotally connected to the right side bunk, the left and right side forward support members of the rearward support frame being adjustably laterally movable relative to each other to thereby permit selective lateral movement of the left and right side rearward support members of the rearward support frame to adjust the lateral distance between the left and right side bunks, and lockable in place to prevent further lateral movement thereof during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side bunks.   
     
     
         26 . The watercraft lift of  claim 25 , wherein the left and right side forward support member of the forward support frame are connected together by a transverse forward support member extending between the left and right side forward support members of the forward support frame, the transverse forward support members being selectively extendable to accommodate the lateral movement of the left and right side forward support members of the forward support frame, and lockable in place to prevent further extension thereof during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side bunks. 
     
     
         27 . The watercraft lift of  claim 26 , wherein the left and right side rearward support member of the rearward support frame are connected together by a transverse rearward support member extending between the left and right side rearward support members of the rearward support frame, the transverse rearward support members being selectively extendable to accommodate the lateral movement of the left and right side rearward support members of the rearward support frame, and lockable in place to prevent further extension thereof during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side bunks. 
     
     
         28 . The watercraft lift of  claim 27 , wherein the left and right side forward support members of the forward support frame each have a mid-portion located between the lower end portion and the upper end portion thereof, and the transverse forward support member is connected to the mid-portion of the left side forward support member of the forward support frame and to the mid-portion of the right side forward support member of the forward support frame, and the left and right side rearward support members of the rearward support frame each have a mid-portion located between the lower end portion and the upper end portion thereof, and the transverse rearward support member is connected to the mid-portion of the left side rearward support member of the rearward support frame and to the mid-portion of the right side rearward support member of the rearward support frame. 
     
     
         29 . The watercraft lift of  claim 25 , wherein the left and right side rearward support member of the rearward support frame are connected together by a transverse rearward support member extending between the left and right side rearward support members of the rearward support frame, the transverse rearward support members being selectively extendable to accommodate the lateral movement of the left and right side rearward support members of the rearward support frame, and lockable in place to prevent further extension thereof during operation of the watercraft lift while raising or lowering the watercraft supported on the left and right side bunks.