Lateral Tilt Patents (Class 114/137)
  • Patent number: 5009178
    Abstract: A keel system for small sailboats. The keel system being comprised of two fins (20P) and (20S) that are allowed to swing on pivots (24) independently, between the hull on which they are mounted and a limiting surface (25). The deployment of fins (20P) and (20S) is controlled by natural hydrodynamic forces acting on activating surface (38) and deactivating surface (36) of tabs (22) built into the tip of fins (20P) and (20S). The invention provides directional stability and improved performance for a boat on all points of sail without the need for crew intervention or interior hull structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1991
    Inventor: Henry P. Geffken