Small watercraft boatlift

Abstract

A boatlift for use with small, manual or paddle or oar powered watercraft (such as canoes and kayaks) is provided with a guide rails on either side of the boat lift, which can be utilized by a boater to propel or urge his/her watercraft onto the boatlift. In addition, that boatlift is provided with an entrance/exit assist member which can be used by boaters with impaired leg function to enter and exit from the watercraft. The boatlift can be provided with a bench system which enables disabled persons to more easily enter and exit from small watercraft supported by the boatlift.

1 . A bench comprising:
 an elongate bench body having a front surface, a back surface, side surfaces, and a top surface defining a seating area, which in combination delimit an interior of said bench body and wherein said side surfaces are longer than said front surface is wide; said front surface defining a slot opening into said interior below a front edge of said top surface; said seating area defining a length and a width, wherein the length of the seating area is greater than the width of the seating area; and   an extendable/retractable seat member translationally supported in said bench body at least in an area of said interior below said seating area in alignment with said at least one opening; said extendable/retractable seat member being moveable along a substantially horizontal plane between a retracted position in which said extendable/retractable seat member is substantially housed within said bench body and an extended position; said extendable/retractable seat member including a support engaging member at an end of said extendable/retractable seat member; said support engaging member being adapted to engage a support when said extendable/retractable seat member is extended to support said extendable/retractable seat member in its said extended position.   
     
     
         2 . The bench of  claim 1  wherein said slot is a first slot and said extendable/retractable seat member is a first extendable/retractable seat member; said body including a second slot in said body front surface below said first slot; and said bench including a second extendable/retractable seat member translationally supported in said bench body in alignment with said second opening; said second extendable/retractable seat member being generally parallel to said first extendable/retractable seat member and being moveable along a substantially horizontal plane between a retracted position in which said at second extendable/retractable seat member is substantially housed within said bench body and an extended position. 
     
     
         3 . The bench of  claim 2  wherein said second extendable/retractable seat member is movable independently of said first extendable/retractable seat member. 
     
     
         4 . The bench of  claim 1  wherein said extendable/retractable seat member comprises a main portion; and said support engaging member comprises an arm extending from an end of said main portion. 
     
     
         5 . The docking system of  claim 1  wherein said at least one seat member comprises a grab member at an end of said seat member; said grab member being accessible when said seat member is in a retracted position. 
     
     
         6 . The bench of  claim 1  wherein said top surface defines a first seating area and a second seating area; said first seating area extending rearwardly from an upper end of the front surface; said second seating area extending rearwardly from a back of said first seating area and being generally parallel to and spaced above said first seating area. 
     
     
         7 . The bench of  claim 6  wherein said second bench surface is no more than 5″ above first bench surface. 
     
     
         8 . The bench of  claim 1  wherein the bench body comprises an internal support for supporting said extendable retractable seat member in said bench body; said internal support comprising low friction elements to facilitate extension and retraction of said at least one seat member. 
     
     
         9 . The bench of  claim 8  wherein said low friction elements comprise non-moving guide rails. 
     
     
         10 . The bench of  claim 1  wherein said bench body is supported by legs; said legs comprising an upper leg portion and a lower leg portion; said upper and lower leg portions being telescopingly connected; such that the effective height of said legs can be changed.