Richard H Gates

US Patent:

6386411, May 14, 2002

Filed:

Apr 18, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/551017

Inventors:

Steven C. Gates - Elfers FL 34680
Richard H. Gates - Callaway FL 32404

International Classification:

B60R 900

US Classification:

224523, 224519, 414462

Abstract:

A boat support apparatus includes a hitch member adapted to be secured in cantilevered relation to a trailer hitch of a vehicle. A center bar extends longitudinally from the hitch member and provides the base for the apparatus. A pair of transversely opposed front vertical supports and a pair of transversely opposed rear vertical supports are mounted in longitudinally spaced apart relation relative to one another on a pair of longitudinally extending, transversely spaced apart support beams. The support beams are connected in parallel relation to the center bar by transversely disposed cross supports that are supported at their respective mid-points by the center bar. The forward vertical supports have upper ends disposed at a higher elevation than upper ends of the rear vertical supports. A pair of longitudinally extending, transversely spaced apart runners are secured to and span the upper ends of corresponding front and rear vertical supports, there being a single runner extending between each set of front and rear vertical supports. The runners are disposed in an angular inclination that is predetermined by the respective heights of the front and rear vertical supports.