Ships – Hull or hull adjunct employing fluid dynamic forces to... – Movably mounted hull portion or hull adjunct
Utility Patent
1999-12-06
2001-01-02
Avila, Stephen (Department: 3617)
Ships
Hull or hull adjunct employing fluid dynamic forces to...
Movably mounted hull portion or hull adjunct
Utility Patent
active
06167830
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a trim tab for a power boat. Trim tabs for boats have been provided that operate in various ways and are mounted in various ways on the stem of the boat. One type comprises a rigid bracket secured to the stem or transom of the boat which has a flexible plate mounted on it and means for flexing the plate to adjust the same to various angular positions relative to the bracket. This does not provide the desired amount of adjustability and involves the use of a large number of unnecessary parts in order to get the desired adjustment of the flexible plate.
Some devices are extremely complex, comprising considerable electrical apparatus to operate them, including solenoid valves, operating means for the solenoid valves and fluid cylinders for adjusting the position of the tabs. Others comprise hand wheel operated threaded shafts that are threadably mounted in a socket and connected with the plates by a link that has special fittings or connecting it with the shaft and a bracket on the tab plate. Still others have connections in which ball and socket joints and other expensive parts are used. Others have plates that are adjusted by means of electrical motors that are controlled by the boat operator or automatically.
All trim tabs operate on the same basic principle. As a power boat accelerates, the bow rises. A trim tab operates to raise the stem (and thus lower the bow) by the well-known Bernoulli effect of a fluid rushing over a plane inclined relative to the path of motion. As the angle at which the trim tab enters the water increases, the lift on the trim tab also increases, thus raising the stem. Leveling the boat in this manner produces maximum speed and efficiency by lowering the fuel consumption, reducing the load upon the engine, and producing a smoother ride.
There is a need for a simple trim tab for small power boats that fulfills the basic function of raising the stem while minimizing the complexity of the device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A manual trim tab for a power boat having a transom at the stern includes: a first bracket adapted to be mounted to the boat's transom near the surface of the water, the first bracket further having a first portion for mounting to the transom, a second portion extending downwardly from the first portion, and a third portion having a shelf, the shelf being substantially perpendicular to the first portion; a trim plate pivotally mounted on the first bracket by a lip pivotally engaging the shelf; a second bracket adapted to be mounted to the boat's transom above the first bracket; a lower adjustment rod pivotally mounted to the trim plate; an upper adjustment rod pivotally mounted to the second bracket and slidingly engaging the lower adjustment rod, thereby varying the angle at which the trim plate meets the water's surface; and a locking mechanism for preventing movement of the upper adjustment rod relative to the lower adjustment rod.
A principle object and advantage of the present invention is that is made from very simple parts that are readily available, thus reducing the cost of manufacture.
A second object and advantage of the present invention is that it does not have complicated adjusting or locking mechanisms, thus increasing its reliability.
Another principle object and advantage of the present invention is that it is entirely mechanical and does not need electrical power to operate.
These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
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Avila Stephen
Helget Gerald E.
Rider Bennett Egan & Arundel
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