Touch tunnel
This invention is a method of using articulating boat hull segments to allow a boat operator to convert between a conventionally-hulled and a tunnel-hulled configuration.
A Provisional Patent Application No. 60/277,895 submitted on filing date Mar. 23,2001 by Applicant: James Michael Costello, Titled: Touch Tunnel.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot Applicable
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIXNot Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe field of this invention relates to planing boat hulls in general. In particular, it relates to boats that need to operate in shallow or habitat-sensitive areas, using a method of reducing vessel draft while on plane.
It is known that some planing hulls are designed to operate in shallow water. Usually called skiff or flats boats (herein referred to as “skiffs”), these hulls range from flat bottoms to a deadrise of less than 20 degrees. These boats can usually operate in 18 inches to 36 inches of water, but because the propeller is fixed below the transom, operation in shallower areas can cause habitat (grass flats or coral flats) destruction and/or damage to marine animals (manatees, turtles, etc.).
It is known that by building a tunnel into these types of hulls, water is redirected upward in a manner that allows the motor (and thus the propeller) to be mounted in a significantly higher position on the transom. Because only a few inches of water are needed to fill the tunnel, this type of hull can perform in much shallower areas than conventionally-hulled skiffs, while reducing or eliminating propeller damage to habitat-sensitive areas.
Because conventionally-hulled skiffs are relatively fast and efficient (but draft deeper), and tunnel hulled skiffs are usually slower and less efficient (but draft shallower), a choice of hulls has been one or the other, prior to this invention. There is a need for boats that can display the best advantages of both configurations, as desired. It is necessary that these hulls have some means of raising and lowering the motor/propeller (such as a jackplate, etc.).
The idea for this invention was inspired by an encounter with a manatee, while operating a conventionally-hulled skiff. The inventor's objective was not to design an articulating tunnel to run in extremely shallow water (as most tunnels will do), but rather to try to elevate the propeller into a “non-intrusive mode.” The effective height of the inventor's type of tunnel is more extreme than most, to help achieve this “non-intrusive mode.”
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONOne of the objectives of this invention is to design an articulating tunnel to allow an operator to choose the most desirable hull configuration for changing operating conditions while underway or at rest.
A further objective is to produce a method of articulation that is adaptable to a broad selection of planing hull types.
Another objective is to produce a tunnel design with a more extreme effective height than most tunnel designs, to allow the propeller to be raised higher, relative to the bottom of the hull, thus creating a less intrusive mode of operation for habitat-sensitive areas.
Another objective is to design the invention as a module, made to be placed into a mold at the time of boat manufacture.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
Referring first to
Hull segments 1 through 6 were then attached to the strap hinges (see
When the cylinder switch is reversed, the ram lifts hull segment 5 (
While it is to be understood that the illustrations shown imply a specific structure embodying the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes may be made without departing from the spirit, method and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. What I claim as my invention is a method of using articulating boat hull segments that allows a boat operator to convert a conventional hull configuration to a tunnel hull configuration, or vice versa.
2. The hull segment articulation method is adaptable to most conventional planing hulls.
3. This method can be scaled larger or smaller to accommodate different sizes of hulls and propellers.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 18, 2002
Publication Date: Jul 27, 2006
Inventor: James Costello (Key Largo, FL)
Application Number: 10/100,385
International Classification: B63B 1/22 (20060101);