Steering Patents (Class 114/128)
  • Patent number: 10843778
    Abstract: A rudder device for a hydrojet vessel. The rudder device includes a mounting plate, a primary rudder and a secondary rudder coupled to a hydrojet. The primary rudder and the secondary rudder providing steerage as the hydrojet vessel is displaced through the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Walkowiak
  • Patent number: 7128010
    Abstract: A canting ballast twin foil (CBTF) sailing yacht constructed according to the invention includes a sailing hull, a laterally moveable ballast suspended beneath the hull that provides a counter heeling force when the yacht is underway, and fore and aft foils that provide improved leeway control and ballast. Components are included for at least partially retracting into the hull at least one of the ballast-supporting strut, the fore foil, and the aft foil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: CBTF Co.
    Inventors: Charles W. Robinson, William F. Burns, III
  • Patent number: 5317984
    Abstract: The flexible bearing is formed of a sleeve-shaped smooth bearing 6 fixed in a flexible block 4 nested in a housing 3 of the boat so as to absorb the bending deformations of the mainpiece without transmitting them to the structure. The housing 3 is streamlined so as to block the flexible block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: Jeanneau-Constructions Nautiques
    Inventors: Bernard Perrin, Eric Perrot, Robert Rigaudeau, Didier Bourniquel, Marcel Guerry, Guy Charrier, Andre Kobus, Jean-Pierre Pilotto, Patrice Crepaud, Jean-Baptiste Cassard, Yianis Mavrikios
  • Patent number: 5150661
    Abstract: A retractable steering device for liquid/bulk cargo carrying barges includes a rectangular barge hull having a generally flat bottom and an upper deck and generally vertical port and starboard sidewalls. A cargo hold is contained at the central portion of and within the barge hull for containing a liquid or bulk cargo. Port and starboard wing tanks are positioned respectively between the port and sidewalls of the hull and the cargo hold. A pair of longitudinally extending slots are positioned adjacent the respective port and starboard wing tanks, each defining an opening that communicates at least with the barge bottom to provide an opening to the sea under the barge bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1992
    Inventor: William B. Rudolf
  • Patent number: 5070804
    Abstract: The invention concerns a directional fin of variable incidence at which are associated: two springs for returning the fin to central position and a symmetrical supple tooth fittings break the oscillations toward the exterior and facilitate the return movement of the fin toward the center. The apparatus facilitates the maneuvers of the board and reduces the efforts of the wind surfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Inventor: Liborio Strazzeri
  • Patent number: 4928613
    Abstract: A retractable steering device for liquid/bulk cargo carrying barges includes a rectangular barge hull having a generally flat bottom and an upper deck and generally vertical port and starboard sidewalls. A cargo hold is contained at the central portion of and within the barge hull for containing a liquid or bulk cargo. Port and starboard wing tanks are positioned respectively between the port and sidewalls of the hull and the cargo hold. A pair of longitudinally extending slots are positioned adjacent the respective port and starboard wing tanks, each defining an opening that communicates at least with the barge bottom to provide an opening to the sea under the barge bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Inventor: William B. Rudolf
  • Patent number: 4779553
    Abstract: An automatic rudder attachment for outboard jet motors. A rudder attachment is designed to provide steering capability at low or drifting speeds when the jet thrust is reduced and during reverse direction when the jet thrust is reversed. The rudder swings up to a retracted position when the jet motor is operating and provides sufficient thrust for steering. The rudder is pivotally attached over the jet nozzle whereby the water race effects the vertical swing of the rudder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1988
    Inventor: Kenneth V. Wildhaber, Sr.
  • Patent number: 4385579
    Abstract: A sailing craft of the type which includes a floating hull, a mast secured to the hull, a sail mounted on the mast and rudder means, wherein the mast is pivotally mounted with an articulation near but spaced from the base thereof with respect to a substantially horizontal axis, and a pair of mobile fins having variable lift movably mounted, each on a respective one of the port and starboard sides of the hull, and a linkage interconnecting the mast and the mobile fins for actuating the fins such that they act in the water in a manner so as to tend to right the hull under the dynamic action of water on the fins in a direction opposite to the direction in which the mast pivots, and in which the craft would normally heel under the action of the wind to which it is exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1983
    Inventor: Gerard Baulard-Caugan
  • Patent number: 4377124
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sailboat with a keel board that is inclinable sideways. A single keel board is resiliently inclinable due to the effect of the water which rotates it about an axis disposed substantially in the vertical plane of longitudinal symmetry of the boat and inclined with respect to the horizontal, rising towards the bows of the boat, so as to provide hydrodynamic lift of the inclined keel board compatible with a movement of the boat along its longitudinal axis. In the case of a boat with two inclinable keel boards, the axes of inclination can converge towards the bows of the boat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1983
    Inventor: Franck Guigan
  • Patent number: 4345535
    Abstract: A system for sailboats for the purpose of maintaining the trim or attitude of the hull in a level position and at the same time adjusting the rigging and keel. The mast is made so that it can tilt to port or starboard and apparatus is provided to produce a force or torque tending to urge the mast back to its upright position and to produce a righting moment on the hull. Alternative apparatus is provided to produce these forces. A rotatable keel is provided which is automatically adjusted when the mast tilts to compensate for the tendency of the craft to make leeway while under way. An auxiliary mast is provided, suspended from the top of the regular mast which is swung to port or starboard to keep the mainsail substantially upright. A horizontally movable jib boom is provided for the foresail and sheets are provided so that the helmsman can adjust the aspect of the foresail to keep it aligned with the mainsail when the mast tilts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1982
    Inventor: Abraham D. Ross
  • Patent number: 4327657
    Abstract: A self-steering system particularly suitable for maintaining a sailing craft such as a yacht on a preselected heading relative to the apparent wind. An oar member which forms a hydrodynamic servo is mounted on a center body for rotational motion. Also supported on the center body above the oar member is a wind vane which is mounted for rotational adjustment and for pivotal motion substantially normal to its rotational axis. The center body is pivotally supported on the transom of the yacht for motion about an axis approximately parallel to the longitudinal center line of the boat. The wind vane is coupled to the oar member such that when the heading of the yacht changes relative to the apparent wind, the wind vane is pivotally driven sidewise by the wind and through its linkage thereto rotatably drives the oar member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1982
    Inventor: Stellan P. Knoos
  • Patent number: 4327659
    Abstract: A minimum drag fluid reaction element including a rotatable shaft adapted to be supported by a vessel carried upon or within a fluid medium; and a rigid fluid reaction fin fixedly attached to the shaft for extension into the fluid medium, the shaft and the fin extending in opposite directions from a common intersection and forming an angle other than a right angle therebetween; the axis of rotation of the shaft lying in a plane generally normal to the fin whereby rotation of the shaft moves the fin through a path describing a right conical section. The angle between the fin and the shaft is preferably obtuse and the plane containing the axis of rotation of the shaft peripherally bisects the fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1982
    Assignee: Masheder Design Studies Ltd.
    Inventor: Henry Masheder
  • Patent number: 4273060
    Abstract: The sailing vessel of the present invention includes a hull of omnidirectional construction, and a generally triangular sail which is supported along two side edges, with the third side edge unsupported and extending generally horizontally. The angular position of the sail with respect to the hull is fixed, and the heading of the boat is varied in order to orient the sail at the desired angle with respect to the wind. A pivotally mounted centerboard controls the direction or heading of the boat and control lines are provided for altering the shape of the sail to further control the direction and speed of sailing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1981
    Inventor: Ivan Pavincic
  • Patent number: 4067280
    Abstract: This disclosure pertains to a pivotable control mechanism affecting the angular position of a centerboard as a function of the position of the boom of the mainsail. A pivot arm extending radially outwardly from the pivot axis of an extended pivotable centerboard is fastened flexibly and adjustably to the mainsail boom at a point aft of the mainmast. The trailing edge of the centerboard is pivoted outboard in a direction opposite to the trailing edge of the boom, providing thereby automatic compensation for the wind on the sail by allowing a variable pressure to be created on the centerboard therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1978
    Inventor: Albert Serfess
  • Patent number: 3946693
    Abstract: An inboard rudder capable of being removed and mounted through a hollow trunk within the hull of the boat and so arranged that the rudder post is pivotally mounted and held in place against one side of the trunk by means of a filler member which is inserted into the trunk after the rudder has been lowered into position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1976
    Inventor: Marshall S. B. Brown