Stabilizer, flotation and mast mount mechanisms and methods
The invention relates to mechanisms, devices and methods for providing increased stability and functionality to vessels through the use of one or more flotation device(s), leeboard(s), mast or sail mounting mechanisms, or associated mounting mechanisms or techniques.
Narrow beamed vessels, such as for example canoes, rowboats, and kayaks, can capsize more easily than other more stable vessels and can benefit from increased stability through the use of one or more flotation device(s) and/or leeboard(s) (keel-like devices) secured to such vessels. Vessels not already equipped with mast and sail apparatus can benefit from the use of mast mounting mechanisms and methods with or without the additional use of one or more flotation device(s) or leeboard(s).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
One embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in
Another embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in
Another embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in
Another embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in
Examples as illustrated in
The expression hinge device(s) or other interfacing portion(s) is intended to comprise portions of one or more members individually or in combination with portions of one or more other members. The expression hinge device(s) or other interfacing portions is also intended to encompass distinct devices or structures afffixable to on or more members. For all embodiments of the present invention it is contemplated that different or varying hinge device(s) or other interfacing portion(s) may be used in conjunction with each other such that no one embodiment is limited to using just one type of hinge device(s) or other interfacing portion(s).
The hinge device(s) or interfacing portion(s) illustrated in
The hinge device(s) or interfacing portion(s) illustrated in
The hinge device(s) or interfacing portion(s) illustrated in
Another hinge device(s) or interfacing portion(s) example would have two components with each such component having a flat side and apertures through which bolts or other securing devices could be inserted. The end portion of one component having a curved or crescent shape while the other component is more narrow in dimension than the other component and has a rectangular shape. The apertures would be alignable relative to each other such that the two components may be secured together in two or more positions.
Examples of suitable flotation devices for any embodiment of the present invention would be one or more pontoon(s) or elongated foam flotation buoys or structures, such as bullet shaped lobster buoys. A wide variety of flotation devices known to person having ordinary skill in the art may be employed as well. The flotation devices may be affixed in this or other embodiments of the invention using techniques known to those having ordinary skill in the art such as bolting, clipping, or tying and may involve various positioning of the flotation device(s) such as, for example having the leeboard portion or other portion of this or another embodiment of the invention inserted through one or more apertures in the flotation device prior to the flotation device being secured in place.
The one or more member(s) of the several embodiments of the present invention may have varying shapes, sizes, widths, lengths, or other dimensions or features or components and may be constructed of various materials. An example of a member as illustrated in
The members of the several embodiments of the invention illustrated herein may be secured to a vessel at one or more of the vessel's gunnels or other locations or structures using numerous methods known to those having ordinary skill in the art.
The members of the several embodiments of the invention illustrated herein may also be secured to the vessel at one or more of the vessel's gunnels or other locations or structures using a mechanism where for example a strap or chord or band or bar is positioned over, under and/or around a member and held in place with a c-clamp or other affixing or securing device or method. One example of such a device as illustrated in
The members of the several embodiments of the invention illustrated herein may also be secured to the vessel at one or more of the vessel's gunnels or other locations or structures using a mechanism where for example a device is secured to the gunnel(s) or other locations or structures using a c-clamp or other affixing device or method and one or more portions (affixing portion(s)) inserted into, through, under, over or around or otherwise contacted with one or more portions of a member or leeboard member suitable for receiving or attaching to such affixing portion(s) and affixed thereto. One example of such a device as illustrated in
The members of the several embodiments of the invention illustrated herein may also be secured to the vessel by way of one or more mounting device(s) having one or more base(s) that can be affixed to or mounted upon the vessel and one or more structure(s) for holding said member(s) or leeboard member(s) in place. The mounting device(s) may be secured to the vessel using techniques known to those having ordinary skill in the art such as for example by bolting the mounting device(s) to the vessel or affixing the mounting device(s) to the vessel using suction cups.
One example of a mounting device as illustrated in
Another example of a mounting device is generally similar to the above example (as illustrated in
Another example of a mounting device as illustrated in
Another example of a mounting device as illustrated in
Embodiments of the present invention involve securing one or more mast mounting device(s) to one or more member(s) or leeboard member(s) or mounting device(s) or combinations thereof so as to provide a mechanism for mounting or stepping a mast or other structure or device for use for example in sailing a vessel with or in the absence of any one or combination of components comprising the present invention in any of its embodiments. Mast mounting devices may be as simple as incorporating a hole or aperture within a mounting device for receiving a mast or similar structure or more complex. Mast mounting devices may also be tailored to securing other devices such as one or more fishing rod(s) or fishing rod holder(s), canopy support structure(s), or compass, beverage or cellular telephone or other device or instrumentation holder(s).
An examples of a mast mounting device as illustrated in
An examples of a mast mounting device as illustrated in
One embodiment of the present invention involves a mounting device configured to be mounted to a vessel such that two base hinge devices or other base interfacing portions are positioned parallel to the stem of the vessel and two more base hinge devices or other base interfacing portions are positioned perpendicular to the other two base hinge devices or other base interfacing portions. The two base hinge devices or other base interfacing portions positioned parallel to the stem in this embodiment are each secured to the hinge devices or interface portions of two members with each member extending outward toward or over a gunnel of the vessel and which members are each secured to a leeboard member (with or without an attached flotation device). The leeboard members in this embodiment may each be positioned such that the flattened fin portion of either or both extends into the water outside the vessel or folded back on top of or below its respective member when not in use. In this embodiment a mast mount device having two hinge devices or other base interfacing portions is secured to the two base hinge devices or other base interfacing portions positioned parallel to the stern of the vessel such that the mast mount device may be positioned and secured in various positions from approximately horizontal forward toward the bow of the vessel to vertical to approximately horizontal toward the stem of the vessel with or without a mast and/or sail secured therein or thereto. This embodiment may be used for example by mounting the mounting device to a vessel and securing the components as indicated with the leeboard members (with or without one or more attached flotation devices) folded over the top of their respective member(s), securing a mast with sail to the mast mount device (the sail may be secured to the mast before or after securing the mast to the mast mount device) and positioning the mast device approximately horizontal forward toward the bow of the vessel and then when desired repositioning and securing one or both leeboard members such that the flattened fin portion(s) enter the water outsid the vessel and then repositioning and securing the mast mount device such that the mast is vertical and the sail may be used. The sequence of steps may be reversed, carried out in one or more different order(s) or carried out in one or more different reverse order(s) as desired or modified to accommodate the use of the various embodiments of the present invention. The sequence of steps may be similarly carried out, reversed, carried out in one or more different order(s) or carried out in one or more different reverse order(s) as desired or modified to accommodate the use of the various embodiments of the present invention, for example embodiments having more than one base device, an alternate number of base hinge devices or other base interfacing portions, an alternate number of members or an alternate number of hinge devices or interface portions on one or more members or leeboard members.
Another embodiment of the present invention involves two members secured to each other by way of their respective hinge devices or interface portions and each extending outward such that they may each be secured to a gunnel of a vessel using one or more devices described herein and each member being further secured via hinge devices or interface portions to a leeboard member (with or without an attached flotation device). The leeboard members in this embodiment may each be positioned such that the flattened fin portion of either or both extends into the water outside the vessel or folded back on top of or below its respective member when not in use. In this embodiment a mast mount device having a hinge device or interfacing portion is secured to two hinge devices or other base interfacing portions used to secure the two members to each other such that the mast mount device will be generally vertical when the members are secured to the gunnels of the vessel. This embodiment may be used for example by securing the components as indicated to each other and also to the vessel with the leeboard members (with or without one or more attached flotation devices) folded over the top of their respective member(s), storing a mast with sail to the mast mount device (the sail may be secured to the mast before or after securing the mast to the mast mount device) within or upon the vessel and then when desired repositioning and securing one or both leeboard members such that the flattened fin portion(s) enter the water outside the vessel and then securing the mast to the mast mount device such that the mast is vertical and the sail may be used. The sequence of steps may be reversed, carried out in one or more different order(s) or carried out in one or more different reverse order(s) as desired and modified to accommodate the use of the various embodiments of the present invention. The sequence of steps may be similarly carried out, reversed, carried out in one or more different order(s) or carried out in one or more different reverse order(s) as desired or modified to accommodate the use of the various embodiments of the present invention, for example embodiments having an alternate number of members or an alternate number of hinge devices or interface portions on one or more members or leeboard members.
The descriptions and examples of embodiments of the invention provided herein are intended to be illustrative and not to in any way limit the scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A vessel stabilizing mechanism comprising at least two elongated members and at least one hinge device or adjustable interface for securing at least one member to at least one other member such that at least one said hinge device or adjustable interface would be positioned within or above the vessel when the stabilizing mechanism is in use.
2. The vessel stabilizing mechanism of claim 1 further comprising at least one of said at least two elongated members having one end shaped like a leeboard.
3. The vessel stabilizing mechanism of claim 1 further comprising at least one of said at least two elongated members having secured thereto a flotation device.
4. The vessel stabilizing mechanism of claim 2 further comprising at least one of said at least two elongated members having secured thereto a flotation device.
5. The vessel stabilizing mechanism of claim 2 further comprising at least one mast mount device having at least one hinge device or adjustable interface secured or securable to at least one other hinge device or adjustable interface.
6. The vessel stabilizing mechanism of claim 3 further comprising at least one mast mount device having at least one hinge device or adjustable interface secured or securable to at least one other hinge device or adjustable interface.
7. The vessel stabilizing mechanism of claim 4 further comprising at least one mast mount device having at least one hinge device or adjustable interface secured or securable to at least one other hinge device or adjustable interface.
8. The vessel stabilizing mechanism of claim 2 further comprising at least one mounting device secured or securable to a vessel and having at least one hinge device or adjustable interface secured or securable to at least one other hinge device or adjustable interface.
9. The vessel stabilizing mechanism of claim 3 further comprising at least one mounting device secured or securable to a vessel and having at least one hinge device or adjustable interface secured or securable to at least one other hinge device or adjustable interface.
10. The vessel stabilizing mechanism of claim 4 further comprising at least one mounting device secured or securable to a vessel and having at least one hinge device or adjustable interface secured or securable to at least one other hinge device or adjustable interface.
11. The vessel stabilizing mechanism of claim 5 further comprising at least one mounting device secured or securable to a vessel and having at least one hinge device or adjustable interface secured or securable to at least one other hinge device or adjustable interface.
12. The vessel stabilizing mechanism of claim 6 further comprising at least one mounting device secured or securable to a vessel and having at least one hinge device or adjustable interface secured or securable to at least one other hinge device or adjustable interface.
13. The vessel stabilizing mechanism of claim 7 further comprising at least one mounting device secured or securable to a vessel and having at least one hinge device or adjustable interface secured or securable to at least one other hinge device or adjustable interface.
14. The vessel stabilizing mechanism of claim 1 further comprising said at least one of said at least two elongated members having one more apertures or other support structures incorporated therein and distinct from said at least one hinge device or adjustable interface for use in securing such one or more elongated members to the vessel and said vessel stabilizing mechanism also having one or more of the following:
- (a) at least one of said at least two elongated members having one end shaped like a leeboard,
- (b) at least one of said at least two elongated members having secured thereto a flotation device,
- (c) at least one mast mount device having at least one hinge device or adjustable interface secured or securable to at least one other hinge device or adjustable interface or
- (d) at least one mounting device secured or securable to a vessel and having at least one hinge device or adjustable interface secured or securable to at least one other hinge device or adjustable interface.
15. The vessel stabilizing mechanism of claim 1 further comprising said at least one hinge device or adjustable interface comprising one or more rounded, circular, oval, square, rectangular, triangular, pentangular, hexagonal, septangular, octagonal, crescent or semicircle shaped structure(s) affixed or affixable to or incorporated as part of one or more member(s) and having one or more aperture(s) therein such that one or more of said structure(s) of one member may be positioned next to one or more said structure(s) of one or more other member(s) and bolted, clipped or otherwise affixed together in a manner that secures or reversibly secures the relative position of the associated members and said vessel stabilizing mechanism also having one or more of the following:
- (a) at least one of said at least two elongated members having one end shaped like a leeboard,
- (b) at least one of said at least two elongated members having secured thereto a flotation device,
- (c) at least one mast mount device having at least one hinge device or adjustable interface secured or securable to at least one other hinge device or adjustable interface or
- (d) at least one mounting device secured or securable to a vessel and having at least one hinge device or adjustable interface secured or securable to at least one other hinge device or adjustable interface.
16. The vessel stabilizing mechanism of claim 1 further comprising said at least one hinge device or adjustable interface comprising one or more rounded, circular, oval, square, rectangular, triangular, pentangular, hexagonal, septangular, octagonal, crescent or semicircle shaped structure(s) affixed or affixable to or incorporated as part of one or more member(s) and having one or more aperture(s) therein such that one or more of said structure(s) of one member may be positioned next to one or more said structure(s) of one or more other member(s) and bolted, clipped or otherwise affixed together in a manner that secures or reversibly secures the relative position of the associated members and said vessel stabilizing mechanism also having twp or more of the following:
- (a) at least one of said at least two elongated members having one end shaped like a leeboard,
- (b) at least one of said at least two elongated members having secured thereto a flotation device,
- (c) at least one mast mount device having at least one hinge device or adjustable interface secured or securable to at least one other hinge device or adjustable interface or
- (d) at least one mounting device secured or securable to a vessel and having at least one hinge device or adjustable interface secured or securable to at least one other hinge device or adjustable interface.
17. The vessel stabilizing mechanism of claim 15 further comprising at least one of said at least two elongated members having one more apertures or other support structures incorporated therein and distinct from said at least one hinge device or adjustable interface for use in securing such elongated member(s) to the vessel.
18. A vessel stabilizing method comprising securing to a vessel at least one vessel stabilizing mechanism having at least two elongated members and at least one hinge device or adjustable interface for securing at least one member to at least one other member such that at least one said hinge device or adjustable interface would be positioned within or above the vessel when the stabilizing mechanism is in use and then operating said vessel.
19. The vessel stabilizing method of claim 18 further comprising said at least one vessel stabilizing mechanism having one or more of the following:
- (a) at least one of said at least two elongated members having one end shaped like a leeboard,
- (b) at least one of said at least two elongated members having secured thereto a flotation device,
- (c) at least one mast mount device having at least one hinge device or adjustable interface secured or securable to at least one other hinge device or adjustable interface or
- (d) at least one mounting device secured or securable to a vessel and having at least one hinge device or adjustable interface secured or securable to at least one other hinge device or adjustable interface.
20. The vessel stabilizing method of claim 18 further comprising said at least one vessel stabilizing mechanism having two or more of the following:
- (a) at least one of said at least two elongated members having one end shaped like a leeboard,
- (b) at least one of said at least two elongated members having secured thereto a flotation device,
- (c) at least one mast mount device having at least one hinge device or adjustable interface secured or securable to at least one other hinge device or adjustable interface or
- (d) at least one mounting device secured or securable to a vessel and having at least one hinge device or adjustable interface secured or securable to at least one other hinge device or adjustable interface.
21. A method of moving a vessel comprising securing to a vessel one or more masts, one or more sails and at least one vessel stabilizing mechanism having at least two elongated members and at least one hinge device or adjustable interface for securing at least one member to at least one other member such that at least one said hinge device or adjustable interface would be positioned within or above the vessel when the stabilizing mechanism is in use and then operating said vessel.
22. The vessel stabilizing method of claim 21 further comprising said at least one vessel stabilizing mechanism having one or more of the following:
- (a) at least one of said at least two elongated members having one end shaped like a leeboard,
- (b) at least one of said at least two elongated members having secured thereto a flotation device,
- (c) at least one mast mount device having at least one hinge device or adjustable interface secured or securable to at least one other hinge device or adjustable interface or
- (d) at least one mounting device secured or securable to a vessel and having at least one hinge device or adjustable interface secured or securable to at least one other hinge device or adjustable interface.
23. The vessel stabilizing method of claim 21 further comprising said at least one vessel stabilizing mechanism having two or more of the following:
- (a) at least one of said at least two elongated members having one end shaped like a leeboard,
- (b) at least one of said at least two elongated members having secured thereto a flotation device,
- (c) at least one mast mount device having at least one hinge device or adjustable interface secured or securable to at least one other hinge device or adjustable interface or
- (d) at least one mounting device secured or securable to a vessel and having at least one hinge device or adjustable interface secured or securable to at least one other hinge device or adjustable interface.
24. A vessel stabilizing mechanism comprising at least three elongated members and at least one hinge device or adjustable interface for securing at least one member to at least one other member such that at least one said hinge device or adjustable interface would be positioned within or above the vessel when the stabilizing mechanism is in use.
25. The vessel stabilizing mechanism of claim 24 further comprising at least one of said at least three elongated members having one end shaped like a leeboard.
26. The vessel stabilizing mechanism of claim 24 further comprising at least one of said at least three elongated members having secured thereto a flotation device.
27. The vessel stabilizing mechanism of claim 25 further comprising at least one of said at least three elongated members having secured thereto a flotation device.
28. The vessel stabilizing mechanism of claim 25 further comprising at least one mast mount device having at least one hinge device or adjustable interface secured or securable to at least one other hinge device or adjustable interface.
29. The vessel stabilizing mechanism of claim 26 further comprising at least one mast mount device having at least one hinge device or adjustable interface secured or securable to at least one other hinge device or adjustable interface.
30. The vessel stabilizing mechanism of claim 27 further comprising at least one mast mount device having at least one hinge device or adjustable interface secured or securable to at least one other hinge device or adjustable interface.
31. The vessel stabilizing mechanism of claim 25 further comprising at least one mounting device secured or securable to a vessel and having at least one hinge device or adjustable interface secured or securable to at least one other hinge device or adjustable interface.
32. The vessel stabilizing mechanism of claim 26 further comprising at least one mounting device secured or securable to a vessel and having at least one hinge device or adjustable interface secured or securable to at least one other hinge device or adjustable interface.
33. The vessel stabilizing mechanism of claim 27 further comprising at least one mounting device secured or securable to a vessel and having at least one hinge device or adjustable interface secured or securable to at least one other hinge device or adjustable interface.
34. The vessel stabilizing mechanism of claim 28 further comprising at least one mounting device secured or securable to a vessel and having at least one hinge device or adjustable interface secured or securable to at least one other hinge device or adjustable interface.
35. The vessel stabilizing mechanism of claim 29 further comprising at least one mounting device secured or securable to a vessel and having at least one hinge device or adjustable interface secured or securable to at least one other hinge device or adjustable interface.
36. The vessel stabilizing mechanism of claim 30 further comprising at least one mounting device secured or securable to a vessel and having at least one hinge device or adjustable interface secured or securable to at least one other hinge device or adjustable interface.
37. The vessel stabilizing mechanism of claim 24 further comprising at least one of said at least three elongated members having one more apertures or other support structures incorporated therein and distinct from said at least one hinge device or adjustable interface for use in securing such at least one of said at least three elongated members to the vessel and said vessel stabilizing mechanism also having one or more of the following:
- (a) at least one of said at least three elongated members having one end shaped like a leeboard,
- (b) at least one of said at least three elongated members having secured thereto a flotation device,
- (c) at least one mast mount device having at least one hinge device or adjustable interface secured or securable to at least one other hinge device or adjustable interface or
- (d) at least one mounting device secured or securable to a vessel and having at least one hinge device or adjustable interface secured or securable to at least one other hinge device or adjustable interface.
38. The vessel stabilizing mechanism of claim 24 further comprising said at least one hinge device or adjustable interface comprising one or more rounded, circular, oval, square, rectangular, triangular, pentangular, hexagonal, septangular, octagonal, crescent or semicircle shaped structures affixed or affixable to or incorporated as part of one or more member(s) and having one or more aperture(s) therein such that one or more of said structure(s) of one member may be positioned next to one or more said structure(s) of one or more other member(s) and bolted, clipped or otherwise affixed together in a manner that secures or reversibly secures the relative position of the associated members and said vessel stabilizing mechanism also having one or more of the following:
- (a) at least one of said at least three elongated members having one end shaped like a leeboard,
- (b) at least one of said at least three elongated members having secured thereto a flotation device,
- (c) at least one mast mount device having at least one hinge device or adjustable interface secured or securable to at least one other hinge device or adjustable interface or
- (d) at least one mounting device secured or securable to a vessel and having at least one hinge device or adjustable interface secured or securable to at least one other hinge device or adjustable interface.
39. The vessel stabilizing mechanism of claim 24 further comprising said at least one hinge device or adjustable interface comprising one or more rounded, circular, oval, square, rectangular, triangular, pentangular, hexagonal, septangular, octagonal, crescent or semicircle shaped structure(s) affixed or affixable to or incorporated as part of one or more member(s) and having one or more aperture(s) therein such that one or more of said structure(s) of one member may be positioned next to one or more said structure(s) of one or more other member(s) and bolted, clipped or otherwise affixed together in a manner that secures or reversibly secures the relative position of the associated members and said vessel stabilizing mechanism also having two or more of the following:
- (a) at least one of said at least three elongated members having one end shaped like a leeboard,
- (b) at least one of said at least three elongated members having secured thereto a flotation device,
- (c) at least one mast mount device having at least one hinge device or adjustable interface secured or securable to at least one other hinge device or adjustable interface or
- (d) at least one mounting device secured or securable to a vessel and having at least one hinge device or adjustable interface secured or securable to at least one other hinge device or adjustable interface.
40. The vessel stabilizing mechanism of claim 38 further comprising at least one of said at least three elongated members having one more apertures or other support structures incorporated therein and distinct from said at least one hinge device or adjustable interface for use in securing such elongated member(s) to the vessel.
41. A vessel stabilizing method comprising securing to a vessel at least one vessel stabilizing mechanism having at least three elongated members and at least one hinge device or adjustable interface for securing at least one member to at least one other member such that at least one said hinge device or adjustable interface would be positioned within or above the vessel when the stabilizing mechanism is in use and then operating said vessel.
42. The vessel stabilizing method of claim 41 further comprising said at least one vessel stabilizing mechanism having one or more of the following:
- (a) at least one of said at least three elongated members having one end shaped like a leeboard,
- (b) at least one of said at least three elongated members having secured thereto a flotation device,
- (c) at least one mast mount device having at least one hinge device or adjustable interface secured or securable to at least one other hinge device or adjustable interface or
- (d) at least one mounting device secured or securable to a vessel and having at least one hinge device or adjustable interface secured or securable to at least one other hinge device or adjustable interface.
43. The vessel stabilizing method of claim 41 further comprising said at least one vessel stabilizing mechanism having two or more of the following:
- (a) at least one of said at least three elongated members having one end shaped like a leeboard,
- (b) at least one of said at least three elongated members having secured thereto a flotation device,
- (c) at least one mast mount device having at least one hinge device or adjustable interface secured or securable to at least one other hinge device or adjustable interface or
- (d) at least one mounting device secured or securable to a vessel and having at least one hinge device or adjustable interface secured or securable to at least one other hinge device or adjustable interface.
44. A method of vessel propulsion comprising securing to a vessel one or more masts, one or more sails and at least one vessel stabilizing mechanism having at least three elongated members and at least one hinge device or adjustable interface for securing at least one member to at least one other member such that at least one said hinge device or adjustable interface would be positioned within or above the vessel when the stabilizing mechanism is in use and then operating said vessel.
45. The vessel stabilizing method of claim 44 further comprising said at least one vessel stabilizing mechanism having one or more of the following:
- (a) at least one of said at least three elongated members having one end shaped like a leeboard,
- (b) at least one of said at least three elongated members having secured thereto a flotation device,
- (c) at least one mast mount device having at least one hinge device or adjustable interface secured or securable to at least one other hinge device or adjustable interface or
- (d) at least one mounting device secured or securable to a vessel and having at least one hinge device or adjustable interface secured or securable to at least one other hinge device or adjustable interface.
46. The vessel stabilizing method of claim 44 further comprising said at least one vessel stabilizing mechanism having two or more of the following:
- (a) at least one of said at least three elongated members having one end shaped like a leeboard,
- (b) at least one of said at least three elongated members having secured thereto a flotation device,
- (c) at least one mast mount device having at least one hinge device or adjustable interface secured or securable to at least one other hinge device or adjustable interface or
- (d) at least one mounting device secured or securable to a vessel and having at least one hinge device or adjustable interface secured or securable to at least one other hinge device or adjustable interface.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 7, 2003
Publication Date: May 12, 2005
Inventor: Edward Tirpak (Hamburg, NY)
Application Number: 10/702,417