Ships – Displacement-type hull – Multiple hulls
Patent
1999-04-20
2000-07-11
Avila, Stephen
Ships
Displacement-type hull
Multiple hulls
114 6125, 114 612, 114 6124, B63B 100
Patent
active
060856785
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention concerns a water vehicle with two surfboards arranged in parallel with a distance between them, connected to one another with the help of a frame.
Such a water vehicle is known from German Patent No. 4,030,225 and German Patent No. 4,243,752.
However, the water vehicles described there have the disadvantage that they easily become unstable at high speeds, which has a negative effect on driving performance while, on the other hand, leading to extreme stresses on the frame.
Therefore, the object of the present invention is to further develop a generic water vehicle so that it will have good driving properties even at high speeds.
This object is achieved by the fact that with a generic water vehicle, the frame has a main frame and a connecting rod, each connected to the surfboards and legs arranged in the direction of travel, with the two legs of the frame arranged in the direction of travel having flexible elements, and the frame forms a diagonally braced rectangle.
The frame constructed in this way converts the forces of the waves acting on partial areas of the frame, which results in a lower resistance and thus a higher final velocity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Surf gliders known in the past have had rigid frame legs arranged in the direction of travel and have led to rocking of the water vehicle at high speeds. In contrast with this, the frame according to this invention can be designed so that it accommodates with static rigidity only the rear foot loops of the surfboards plus optionally an outboard motor. Then elements that are flexible at the front are attached to the rear frame part, dynamically connecting the main frame to the connecting heads on the right and left. The connecting heads are then rigidly connected to one another in an easily detachable manner by the seat rod, braced diagonally at the corner points of the main frame. Due to this arrangement, the connecting heads can be regarded as individually freely movable dynamically and vertically on the frame. A wave lifting the boat on one side will raise only one board and thus will raise the vehicle less on the whole.
The diagonal bracing is preferably provided by intersecting cables. As an alternative or in addition to this, the diagonal bracing may also be provided by a stronger rectangular fabric. This fabric can then also serve as the seating surface.
It is advantageous if the flexible elements are elastic. Although the bracing and the arrangement of the flexible connecting pieces ensure a certain elasticity of the frame, it is advantageous if the flexible elements are designed to be elastic.
Transport of the water vehicle is greatly simplified if the frame can be divided in the area of the flexible elements, The division of the frame in the area of the flexible elements results in two rigid frame parts which are to be connected fixedly together by inserting the flexible elements and the diagonal bracing.
An advantageous embodiment of the water vehicle according to this invention provides for the frame to be connected to the surfboards in an easily detachable manner by a mast base receptacle and foot loops on the surfboards. This makes it possible to use surfboards manufactured by standard methods, which can be used further as a water vehicle according to this invention and also as surfboards without any great redesign measures.
Excellent driving properties are obtained when the water vehicle has a manually operated device for controlling the direction of movement by means of which the surfboards are hinge-connected opposite the direction control by means of the foot loops on them over the support elements which are attached there in an easily detachable manner and are pivotably mounted on the frame. The swiveling of the surfboards when turning corners makes it possible to turn much tighter curves, because the surfboards assume the function of a keel or leeboard.
It is advantageous if the frame has control devices. For example, devices for changing the direction of travel, gear controls or speed
REFERENCES:
patent: 3273528 (1966-09-01), Kiefer
patent: 3841251 (1974-10-01), Larson
patent: 4401047 (1983-08-01), Auras
patent: 4662297 (1987-05-01), Crowley et al.
patent: 5024177 (1991-06-01), Winter et al.
Avila Stephen
Feiereisen Henry M.
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