Boarding platform
A platform assembly for a boat has a box assembly that can be mounted in a hull of a boat. A platform assembly is received in the box assembly in a stowed position, but can be actuated to extend to a deployed position projecting from the hull. The platform may include ladder and/or stairs to facilitate entry into the boat, particularly from the water. In some versions, a fold-down railing can be used together with the platform.
1 . A platform assembly for a boat comprising:
a box assembly configured to be mounted generally within the boat, the box assembly having an opening, and
a platform configured to travel between a stowed position and a deployed position, the stowed position being substantially inside the box assembly and the deployed position protruding outward through the opening in the box assembly; and
an actuator arm pivotally mounted on the box assembly and connected to the platform for moving the platform between the stowed position and the deployed position by pivoting of the actuator arm.
2 . The platform assembly as claimed in claim 1 , the platform being configured to travel automatically between the stowed position and the deployed position.
3 . The platform assembly as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a step assembly operatively connected to the platform, the step assembly including a plurality of steps having a collapsed position in which the steps are collapsed and an expanded position in which the steps are spaced apart, the step assembly being configured such that the step assembly can be selectively positioned in the collapsed position or the expanded position when the platform is in the deployed position.
4 . The platform assembly as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the step assembly is configured to travel automatically between the collapsed position and the expanded position as the platform travels between the stowed position and the deployed position.
5 . The platform assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the box assembly is sealed to prevent water entering the box assembly through the opening from leaving the box assembly except through the opening.
6 . The platform assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the platform is configured to travel linearly with respect to the box assembly.
7 . The platform assembly as claimed in claim 1 in combination with a fold down railing, the fold down railing comprising a handle that can be placed in a stowed position and a deployed position in which the handle may be grasped by a person on the boat or boarding the boat from an outboard location.
8 . The platform assembly as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the platform and the handle can be used simultaneously by the person on the boat or boarding the boat from the overboard location when the platform is in its respective deployed position and the railing is in its respective deployed position.
9 . The platform assembly as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising an actuator arranged to move the platform relative to the box assembly between the stowed position and the deployed position.
10 . The platform assembly as claim in claim 9 , further comprising a quick release connector operatively connecting the actuator to the platform, the quick release connector being configured to release connector of the actuator to the platform to allow the platform to be manually moved with respect to the box assembly.
11 . The platform assembly as claimed in claim 1 , in combination with the boat.
12 . A platform assembly for a boat comprising:
a box assembly adapted for mounting generally within the boat, the box assembly having a distal opening,
a platform configured to travel between a stowed position and a deployed position, the stowed position being substantially inside the box assembly and the deployed position protruding outward from the box assembly through the distal opening,
an actuator arranged to move the platform relative to the box assembly between the stowed position and the deployed position, and
a quick release connector operatively connecting the actuator to the platform to allow the platform to be manually moved with respect to the box assembly, the quick release connector including an actuator located outside of the box assembly in the stowed position of the platform.
13 . The platform assembly as claimed in claim 12 , further comprising one or more switches configured to automatically control the travel of the platform.
14 . The platform assembly as claimed in claim 12 , further comprising a fold down railing, the fold down railing comprising a handle that can be placed in a stowed position and a deployed position in which the handle may be grasped by a person on the boat or boarding the boat from an overboard location.
15 . The platform assembly as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the platform and the handle can be used simultaneously by the person on the boat or boarding the boat from the overboard location when the platform is in its respective deployed position and the railing is in its respective deployed position.
16 . The platform assembly as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the actuator is operatively connected to said one or more switches so that said one or more switches control operation of the actuator to move the platform between the stowed and deployed positions.
17 . The platform assembly as claimed in claim 12 in combination with the boat.