Patents by Inventor Hugo Heesterman

Hugo Heesterman has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9132895
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for a removable foil improves acceleration, maneuverability, and control of craft such as boats or rideable boards (surfboards, sailboards, and the like) and also reduces repetitive stress exerted on the hull by foil bending and torsion. An off-center ball-and-cup joint in the mounting allows the foil to yaw and roll within a limited range in response to changes in lateral fluid pressure. A resilient pad in the mounting then exerts a restoring force to return the foil to a neutral orientation as the lateral pressure equilibrates. An elastically deformable cushion on the base of the foil may contribute to the resilient adaptation while excluding ambient water from the mounting. Optionally, the entire assembly may be mounted in a translation cage that allows adjustment of the foil's longitudinal position. Variations on removable foils, and cushions for the bases of foils, have thickened trailing ends to reduce turbulence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Inventor: Hugo Heesterman
  • Publication number: 20140331909
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for a removable foil improves acceleration, maneuverability, and control of craft such as boats or rideable boards (surfboards, sailboards, and the like) and also reduces repetitive stress exerted on the hull by foil bending and torsion. An off-center ball-and-cup joint in the mounting allows the foil to yaw and roll within a limited range in response to changes in lateral fluid pressure. A resilient pad in the mounting then exerts a restoring force to return the foil to a neutral orientation as the lateral pressure equilibrates. An elastically deformable cushion on the base of the foil may contribute to the resilient adaptation while excluding ambient water from the mounting. Optionally, the entire assembly may be mounted in a translation cage that allows adjustment of the foil's longitudinal position. Variations on removable foils, and cushions for the bases of foils, have thickened trailing ends to reduce turbulence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: SFT Industrie Corp.
    Inventor: Hugo Heesterman
  • Publication number: 20080268730
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fin unit (2) with elastic attachment system on an underside (1) of a marine apparatus, such as a wind surf, kite surf, fly surf, wakeboard, knee board and particularly a surfboard. The fin in the mounting thereof is partially made to self-align in the flow of liquid medium with the aim of avoiding the hydrodynamic stall caused by the passage of high turbulence and/or large lateral movements caused by the surfer in extreme motion. The possibility for self-orientation is due to three fundamental parameters which are: the type of elasticity of the attachment system (3-4-5-27), the forward position of the centre of gravity G towards the leading edge (15) and the form of the root profile (9) of the fin (2) which has a thickening (7) of the trailing edge thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: Hugo Heesterman