Ships – Steering mechanism – Rudders
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-08
2001-03-13
Avila, Stephen (Department: 3617)
Ships
Steering mechanism
Rudders
C114S163000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06199499
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the construction of sailing vessels and more particularly to manually operable catamaran-type sailboats having rudders manually operated by the user to steer the sailboats.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Catamaran type sailboats are well-known sailing vessels that by definition consist of a horizontal deck mounted on a pair of parallel hulls. The hulls are usually placed on opposite sides of the deck to provide a relatively stable craft. The use of the two hulls, spread apart, reduces the overall weight of the craft, thus increasing the overall speed.
The width of each hull is usually very narrow to reduce the amount of drag on the craft, again increasing the speed of the craft. The sails that propel the catamaran usually provide ample power to move the catamaran on any body of water such as a pond, lake, river or ocean.
Most catamarans are constructed as a three-piece unit with at least two tubular crossbeams that can be readily assembled by the user just prior to use. These crossbeams connect the two hulls above the waterline and the deck sits between the hulls on the crossbeams. While some larger catamarans are constructed in a unitary fashion, i.e., the deck is permanently fastened to the hulls, most catamarans are recreational vessels that are required to be transported to the place of use on the tops of automobiles, vans and the like. This generally requires the user to assemble the craft when he reaches his destination and then to disassemble the craft when finished.
The design of the catamaran permits its user to sit or stand on the deck while manipulating the sail with his hands. Generally, steering is accomplished by maneuvering the sail with the direction of the wind to propel the craft to the desired location. Most catamarans are also equipped with rudders or pivoting hull portions (herein “rudders”) located at the stern of both of the hulls to aid in steering the craft. Generally, when one wished to make a slight maneuver with the catamaran, one merely turns a tiller or control element attached to both rudders to move the rudders in the proper direction. However, when a sharp and sudden turn is required, one must usually properly position the sail with the wind and simultaneously turn the rudders to accomplish a successful sharp turn. This type of turn requires substantial skill in order to do these steps simultaneously. A mistake on the part of the sailor can result in the catamaran flipping over.
In order to provide greater stability to the catamaran, another device, namely a daggerboard, centerboard or keel, is placed beneath the middle of each hull where it extends vertically down into the water to help prevent the catamaran from slipping sideways. The daggerboard, centerboard or keel is a long, flat board, which is placed with its broad surface parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hulls of the craft. The daggerboard, centerboard or keels are thus useful in reducing drift induced by the wind and sail interaction. The daggerboard, centerboard, or keels are also helpful in “anchoring” the middle of the catamaran when making sharp turns. Without the centerboard, the catamaran is susceptible to so much lateral movement that the craft cannot be tacked upwind under extreme conditions.
It is important to note that catamarans typically utilize fixed rigging with masts tied to both hulls. As a result, catamarans tip to one side when sailed and are frequently sailed with one hull out of the water. This tilted attitude thus requires that each hull be equipped with a rudder and daggerboard, centerboard or keel.
Of particular concern are catamarans with rigging that can be adjusted to allow both hulls to remain in the water essentially without tipping to the side, and therefore, only one daggerboard, centerboard or keel between the hulls is required.
One of the major drawbacks in prior art catamarans is the difficulty in steering the craft. Generally, on larger sized catamarans, steering requires considerable sailing skills and expertise on the part of the user. This can be a serious drawback to the novice or intermediate sailor who lacks most of these necessary skills. The major problem in steering the catamaran is that the sailor usually has to use both hands to work the sail yet needs another hand to turn the tiller. On larger sized catamarans, the sail can be so difficult to manage that two people would be required to maneuver the boat: one to handle the sail and the other to steer the rudder. This can cause obvious problems to the user who wishes to sail alone.
The drawbacks in steering the catamaran are heightened if the user wishes to stand on the deck of the catamaran and sail the vessel much like a sailboard. Since a catamaran cannot be steered by shifting body weight and the sail, as can be done with a sailboard, a specific steering mechanism would be needed. Steering a rudder on each hull through a typical tiller or control element would be difficult since the user's hands would remain on the sail rigging during use. Therefore, another person would have to steer the rudders while the other person holds the sail. Therefore, there is a need for a new device that permits the user to simultaneously turn the rudders while holding the sail.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
While prior art catamaran sailing vessels are generally useful and fun to sail, these vessels have limitations and disadvantages as illustrated above which are serious drawbacks. The present invention has as an objective the elimination of these and other disadvantages by providing an improved steering apparatus or mechanism for operating the rudders. Preferably this steering mechanism can be operated by the user's foot. While this invention is related to all catamarans, it is of particular advantage to small catamarans that have the capability of rigging that can be tilted to windward thus allowing both hulls to remain in the water at all points of the sail (i.e. upwind, reaching and downwind). Steering that can be foot actuated is advantageous since it allows both hands to remain on the sail apparatus during use. Desirably, the steering mechanism is self centering so that when the rudders are not in use, they remain generally aligned in a front to rear position. The illustrated steering mechanism has a manually movable control element, pad or tiller designed to extend low over the aft surface of the deck where it is accessible to either of the user's hands or feet. By permitting one's feet to steer the craft, one can stand on the deck of the catamaran and use both hands in operating the sail assembly. By utilizing a means for maintaining the rudders in their aligned positions when the tiller is not being used, the vessel will sail in a straight course until such time as the user desires to turn the craft. The user can do this by simply moving the tiller with his feet.
One form of the present invention uses push-pull cables to connect the tiller or moveable pad with the rudders. A push-pull cable is a semi-rigid cable that slides inside a flexible tube. The ends of the tube are clamped solidly to the vessel at the length desired, while the cable is free to slide within the tube. The cable has a certain amount sticking out either end of the tube. By pushing or pulling the cable, linear motion is transferred from one end of the cable through the tube to the other end of the cable. These push-pull cables attach to the bellcranks on the outboard sides of the rudders. When the moveable pad or tiller is moved by foot or hand to the right, both rudders turn to the left, thereby turning the moving vessel to the left. When the moveable pad or tiller is moved by foot or hand to the left, the rudders turn to the right, thereby turning the moving vessel to the right. An elastic or biasing means, such as a spring or elastic rope or band, is attached to the end of the tiller or moveable pad and is fastened to a hook located on the deck portion of the boat. This elastic means keeps the rudders centered so that they remain in a straig
Ashen & Lippman
Avila Stephen
LandOfFree
Manually operated catamaran vessels, steering apparatus for... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Manually operated catamaran vessels, steering apparatus for..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Manually operated catamaran vessels, steering apparatus for... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2532987