Ships – Motorized self-propelled waterski or waterscooter-type vehicle – Having rider straddling seat
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-19
2001-02-06
Basinger, Sherman (Department: 3617)
Ships
Motorized self-propelled waterski or waterscooter-type vehicle
Having rider straddling seat
C114S363000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06182590
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a personal water craft suspension system. Specifically this invention relates to a new suspension system for new and preexisting personal water craft that provides increased comfort for the user.
BACKGROUND ART
Personal water craft use has become a very popular sport. Examples of a personal water craft (PWC) include water jet propelled crafts such as the JetSki® and Waverunner®. However for purposes of the present invention a PWC applies to any low profile water craft. Unfortunately riders of personal water craft often experience rough, and uncomfortable rides. As the personal water craft moves over high waves or choppy water, the rider when seated often bounces up and down on the seat, which puts stress on the body of the rider. Many riders learn to reduce the uncomfortable effects caused by rough waters by standing with each leg bent at the knee. When the personal water craft moves up or down the rider can bend or flex his legs to absorb some of the resulting shock.
Several systems have been devised for user comfort; however, each has one or more significant drawbacks. One such system, shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,603,281 (1997), shows a personal water craft reconstructed in a new design to implement an effective shock absorber. The disadvantages of this suspension system are adapting it to existing and newly manufactured personal water craft without a suspension design. This suspension is complex, not adjustable and is an expensive feature.
Siebert in U.S. Pat. No. 2,787,315 (1954), shows a spring seat for outboard boats. The spring seat of Seibert is not designed to mount to a personal water craft.
Gauss, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,427,038 (1969), shows a complex suspension system designed for the entire floor of a boat to move. This system is designed for large boats and thus shares the same disadvantage as that of Siebert's.
O'Link in U.S. Pat. No. 3,186,674 (1965), shows an improvement in a suspension system for a boat seat. This system is not designed to mount to personal water craft and thus shares the disadvantage of Siebert's.
Mardikinian in U.S. Pat. No. 5,309,861 (1994), shows a personal water craft reconstructed in a new design to implement an effective shock absorber. It is similar to U.S. Pat. No. 5,603,281 (1997) and thus shares the same disadvantages.
Jones in U.S. Pat. No. 4,909,177 (1990), shows an inflatable boat seat to mount to the interior of an inflatable boat. One disadvantages of this seat is that it is not easily adaptable to a personal water craft.
Harvey, Renaud, Gagnon, Rondeau, LaPointe in U.S. Pat. No. 5,542,371 (1996), shows a more complex version of U.S. Pat. No. 5,603,281 (1997) and which shares the same disadvantages.
Mardikinian in U.S. Pat. No. 5,465,679 (1995), shows a suspension system in which the floorboards of a personal water craft absorb the shock. One disadvantage of this system is that it would only be effective if the user is in a standing position; hence, it does not provide increased comfort to the rider when seated.
Consequently, there exists a need for an effective shock absorbing system which will significantly increase the level of comfort of a seated rider of a personal water craft.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a suspension system for personal water craft.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a suspension system for personal water craft that provides a safe, smooth, and stable ride.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a suspension system for personal water craft that enables a more comfortable ride for seated users.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a suspension system for personal water craft that reduces the stress on the seated user when riding over choppy waters.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a suspension system for personal water craft that can be mounted to preexisting personal water craft.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a suspension system for personal water craft that can be made relatively economically.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a suspension system for personal water craft that enables a seat to move up and down with respect to a hull of the personal water craft.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a suspension system for personal water craft that is operative to prevent water from passing into the hull from between the seat and the hull.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a suspension system for personal water craft that is adjustable to allow several levels of suspension.
Further objects of the present invention will be made apparent in the following Best Modes for Carrying Out Invention and the appended claims.
The foregoing objects are accomplished in one exemplary embodiment of the invention by a suspension system that comprises a bladder having a rubber body that is gas inflated. The bladder has a shape that is adapted for being sandwiched between the personal water craft (PWC) hull and seat. The suspension system further includes a telescoping latch stud and telescoping U hook that releaseably connects the seat to the hull. These telescopic connectors enable the seat to move up and down with respect to the hull with the bladder positioned between the seat and the hull.
When the PWC is ridden over rough water, the bladder and telescoping latch stud and U hook expand and contract responsive to movement of the seat. As the seat moves the bladder maintains a water tight seal between the seat and the hull for preventing water from entering the PWC. The resulting bladder is operative to dampen the effects of bumps and shock forces acting on the PWC, resulting in a suspension system provides increased comfort, safety, and stability to riders.
The exemplary embodiments of the bladder and telescopic connectors are designed to mount to existing PWC's. The exemplary telescopic latch stud is operative to replace a standard stock back fixed latch stud. The exemplary telescopic U hook is operative to replace a standard stock front fixed U hook. In alternative embodiments, the exemplary telescopic connectors may also be configured for other body styles, seats and hulls.
The exemplary bladder is operative to be sandwiched between a stock seat and stock hull of many models of PWC's. In other exemplary embodiments the bladder can have other shapes depending on the PWC body style. The bladder may also be thicker or taller for heavy duty riding or racing. In addition by inflating the bladder with different levels of internal gas pressure, the suspension system of the present invention can be configured for different levels of comfort and performance.
In alternative embodiments of the present invention new PWC's can be adapted to include the elements of the present invention as stock suspension components.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2787315 (1957-02-01), Siebert
patent: 3186674 (1965-06-01), O'Link
patent: 3427038 (1969-02-01), Gauss
patent: 4909177 (1990-03-01), Jones
patent: 5309861 (1994-05-01), Mardikian
patent: 5353734 (1994-10-01), Tani
patent: 5367978 (1994-11-01), Mardikian
patent: 5465679 (1995-11-01), Mardikian
patent: 5542371 (1996-08-01), Harvey, Renaud, Gagnon
patent: 5603281 (1997-02-01), Harvey, Renaud, Gagnon
patent: 10-129581 (1998-05-01), None
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