Michael S Kirby

US Patent:

20210316830, Oct 14, 2021

Filed:

Apr 8, 2020

Appl. No.:

16/843491

Inventors:

Sean A. Barnes - Mt. Pleasant SC, US
Michael W. Kirby - Mt. Pleasant SC, US

International Classification:

B63C 1/06

Abstract:

A boat lift has pumps that evacuate water from flotation containers lower the boat lift. Multiple flotation containers are retained by a frame that is formed as a grid. The pumps are contained within a housing that is retained in position by the frame. Water enters the housing through valves and is distributed to the flotation containers to lower the boat lift. Water is evacuated from the flotation containers by pumps, with valves closed to prevent water from entering the flotation containers.

US Patent:

20200180738, Jun 11, 2020

Filed:

Feb 18, 2020

Appl. No.:

16/793424

Inventors:

- Mt. Pleasant SC, US
Michael W. Kirby - Mt. Pleasant SC, US

International Classification:

B63C 1/06
B63C 1/02

Abstract:

A boat lift has one or more pumps that evacuate water from a first flotation tank construct and a second flotation tank construct to create flotation of the boat lift. Modular boat lifts may be constructed according to the invention that have substantial size but are transportable by truck for construction on site.

US Patent:

20190023364, Jan 24, 2019

Filed:

Sep 27, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/143737

Inventors:

- Mt. Pleasant SC, US
Michael W. Kirby - Mt. Pleasant SC, US

International Classification:

B63C 1/06
B63C 1/02

Abstract:

A floating boat lift having flotation tanks positioned under sides of a frame of the boat lift and a transverse flotation tank that communicates with the flotation tanks. Water flow is regulated so that tanks fill from near the center of the boat lift. Water is accepted into or pumped from the flotation tanks, allowing the frame of the boat lift to fall or rise relative to the surface of the water.

US Patent:

20170190398, Jul 6, 2017

Filed:

Mar 23, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/467399

Inventors:

Sean A. Barnes - Mt. Pleasant SC, US
Michael W. Kirby - Mt. Pleasant SC, US

International Classification:

B63C 1/06

Abstract:

A floating boat lift having flotation tanks positioned under sides of a frame of the boat lift and a transverse flotation tank that communicates with the flotation tanks. Water flow is regulated so that tanks fill from near the center of the boat lift. Water is accepted into or pumped from the flotation tanks, allowing the frame of the boat lift to fall or rise relative to the surface of the water.

US Patent:

20160264221, Sep 15, 2016

Filed:

May 20, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/160372

Inventors:

Sean A. Barnes - Mt. Pleasant SC, US
Michael W. Kirby - Mt. Pleasant SC, US

International Classification:

B63C 1/06

Abstract:

A floating boat lift having flotation tanks positioned under sides of a frame of the boat lift. Water flow is regulated so that tanks fill from near the center of the boat lift. A preferred hingeable connection of the boat lift to a bulkhead, along with lateral stabilization, participates in maintaining a generally horizontal attitude for the boat lift. Water is accepted into or pumped from the flotation tanks, allowing the frame of the boat lift to fall or rise relative to the surface of the water. One or more catwalks along the sides of the boat lift and connected to the bulkhead may float, but at a level that is independent of the boat lift frame.

US Patent:

20140133910, May 15, 2014

Filed:

Nov 12, 2013

Appl. No.:

14/077854

Inventors:

Sean A. Barnes - Mt. Pleasant SC, US
Michael W. Kirby - Mt. Pleasant SC, US

International Classification:

B63C 3/06

US Classification:

405 3

Abstract:

A boat lift having a plurality of flotation tanks positioned under each of opposite sides of a frame of the boat lift. Trunk lines receive water through a port near the rear of the trunk lines, and communicate water into a plurality of flotation tanks. Water flow is regulated so that the plurality of the tanks fill relatively evenly to maintain a surface of the boat lift that is generally horizontal at all times. Hingeable connection of the dock to a bulkhead, along with lateral stabilization, participate in maintaining a generally horizontal attitude for the boat lift. Water is expelled from the plurality of flotation tanks by pumping water from the flotation tanks, allowing the frame of the boat lift to rise.