Underwater protective system to inhibit marine growth
A protective system for underwater installation on the propeller of a boat inhibits marine growth from fouling the propeller. The system includes a flexible material sized and shaped so as to be capable of being wrapped around the front and rear surfaces of the blades of a propeller and gathered so as to substantially surround the propeller. A fastening member such as a clamp or clip is affixed to the flexible material for maintaining the flexible material in the gathered state. The system further includes a link (such as a piece of line) having one end attached to the fastening member and a free second end. The link is of sufficient length such that when the flexible material is gathered about the propeller and maintained in place with the fastening member, the free end of the link extends to a location proximate to the boat at or above the waterline of the boat (such as to the transom or deck of the boat, or to a dock against which the boat is tied) wherein the link can be retrieved by a user of the boat. The link and fastening member are constructed and arranged wherein a tug on the link by the user releases the gathered flexible material permitting the retrieval of the link, and the fastening member and the flexible material as a unit from the propeller without the aid of a diver.
A. Field
This invention relates generally to marine equipment protective devices, and more particularly to a protective cover for propellers, transducers and other underwater components to protect against marine growth.
B. Description of Related Art
Underwater components, particularly propellers and connected propeller shafts, transducers and the like, are susceptible to the development of marine growth when submerged in sea water. Such growth can include barnacles, sea grass, slime, etc. (collectively referred to has “marine growth”). Marine growth that attaches to propellers remains attached even when the propeller turns to propel the boat at typical cruising speeds. Marine growth can significantly reduce the efficiency of the boat's propulsion system. Accordingly, countermeasures to ameliorate marine growth attaching to propellers have been proposed.
These countermeasures can take a variety of forms. One is to hire a diver to scrub and clean the propeller at regular intervals, or in advance of a voyage. Another is to apply an antifouling paint to the propeller. The art has further developed a variety of protective devices that are designed to cover or protect marine propulsion apparatus while in the water. Such protective devices are described in the patent literature, and include Sloan, U.S. Pat. No. 3,220,374; Pearce, U.S. Pat. No. 3,587,508; Crepeau, U.S. Pat. No. 6,916,217; Morton, U.S. Pat. No. 6,152,064; and Borrelli, U.S. Pat. No. 6,190,220. Other patents of interest include Ojeda, U.S. Pat. No. 5,273,399; Newman, U.S. Pat. No. 4,826,461; Doelcher, U.S. Pat. No. 5,527,193 and Lobrovich, U.S. Pat. No. 7,244,154.
The present protective system of this disclosure is considered an improvement over the devices shown in these patents in that it is particularly suitable for propellers, transducers and other underwater components that are submerged substantially below the waterline (e.g., as in most medium and larger sailboats and power boats due the installation of inboard diesel or gas engines) yet can be readily released by the user/boat owner from above the water before their trip, without requiring a diver to release the protective system. The solutions proposed for example by the Sloan and Crepeau patents, cited above, are applicable to outdrives of inboard/outboard motors or outboards where the propeller itself is either able to be raised out of the water or otherwise is readily accessible. However, they are not suitable for propellers for inboard engines in which the propeller is typically several feet (or more) below the surface of the water. These designs, if adapted for such a propeller, would require a diver to disengage the cover from the propeller. None of the designs of the prior art address the problems of fouling of propellers of larger vessels in which the propeller is submerged substantially below the waterline, or provide an effective protective system for such a vessel which can be readily released by the user from a position on deck, without requiring the services of a diver.
SUMMARYIn one aspect, an underwater protective system for installation on the propeller of a boat is provided. The system is designed to inhibit marine growth on the propeller. The system includes a flexible material sized and shaped so as to be capable of being wrapped around the front and rear surfaces of the blades of a propeller and gathered so as to substantially surround the propeller. A fastening member, e.g., clamp, clip, snap, Velcro®, or other fastening device, is affixed to the flexible material and is used for maintaining the flexible material in the gathered state, e.g., by clamping the flexible material about the propeller. The system further includes a link (such a piece of line, webbing or a wand) having one end attached to at least one of the fastening member and the flexible material. The link is of sufficient length such that when the flexible material is gathered about the propeller and maintained in place with the fastening member, the link extends to a location proximate to the boat at or above the waterline of the boat (such as to the transom or deck of the boat, or to a dock against which the boat is tied) wherein the link can be retrieved by a user of the boat. The link and fastening member are constructed and arranged wherein a tug on the link by the user releases the gathered flexible material from the propeller, permitting the retrieval of the line, and the fastening member and the flexible material as a unit from the propeller for later reuse or disposal without requiring the aid of a diver.
In another aspect, a method of inhibiting marine growth on a propeller of a boat is described. The method includes steps of: while the boat is in water, wrapping a flexible material around the front and rear surfaces of the blades of the propeller and gathering the material so that the material substantially surrounds the propeller; maintaining the flexible material in the gathered state with the aid of a fastening member; and leading a link having one end attached to at least one of the fastening member and the flexible material to a location at or above the waterline of the boat wherein the link can be retrieved by a user of the boat. The link and fastening member are constructed and arranged wherein a tug on the link by the user releases the gathered flexible material from the propeller permitting the retrieval of the link, and the fastening member and the flexible material as a unit from the propeller.
In another aspect, a kit is disclosed comprising a set of the underwater protective systems as recited above designed to fit different size propellers. For example, the kit may include a first portion in which the flexible material is relatively reduced surface area such that the material is designed to fit propellers having a diameter under 20 inches. A second portion of the kit includes flexible material of a larger surface area is designed to fit propellers having a diameter of at least 20 inches. A diver offers a service of fitting boats in a marina with the protective systems of this disclosure and will include in the kit a multitude of such underwater protective systems of different sizes to fit sailboats and smaller powerboats of various sizes and propeller diameters (e.g., 12 inch to 18 inch), pleasure power boats with larger size propellers (e.g., with propeller diameters from 16 to 36 inches), and larger commercial vessels (e.g., with propellers from 36 to say 50 inches in diameter). The diver (or customer/boat owner) may trim excess material from the flexible material to obtain a more customized fit of the protective material to the propeller, taking into consideration such factors as the number of blades to the propeller, and the diameter of the propeller.
The underwater protective devices of this disclosure may optionally include a second flexible material or cover adapted to surround an underwater component of the boat remote from the propeller (e.g., a depth transducer, knot wheel, etc.) and a second link extending from the second flexible material to a location at or above the waterline of the boat where the second link can be retrieved by the user.
In one configuration, the protective system is manufactured and sold as a unit comprising the flexible material, attached clamping member, and the link. Alternatively, the system is sold as the flexible material and the attached fastening member along with instructions for the purchaser to obtain a suitable length of line or webbing and attach one end to the fastening member and lead the other end to a convenient location above the water line such as the transom, deck, or nearby slip.
The protective system of this disclosure is designed to prevent or inhibit marine growth from attaching to propellers of vessels. The protective system is particularly useful for propellers of inboard engines of marine vessels of all types, in which the propeller is both fixed and submerged substantially below the waterline of the vessel and therefore relatively inaccessible from above the water (e.g., from a dinghy, a dock or the transom of the vessel). It could also be used on inboard-outboard propellers or outboards that are not adapted to pivot out of the water.
The protective system includes a flexible material that is gathered about the propeller and clamped in place with a fastening member, such as a clamp, Velcro™, snaps, clip, a pin, a hook, a slip knot, or other suitable fastening device. In preferred embodiments the fastening member is made from a plastic or other material which contains no metal. A link, e.g., length of light line, webbing or a rigid strut or wand such as a piece of wood, has one end which is attached to the fastening member and/or the flexible material and a second free end which is led to a position above the waterline of the vessel where it can be readily retrieved by the user of the boat. When the user is ready to remove the protective system, they give a tug on the link and that action releases the gathering of the flexible material, allowing the fastening member and flexible material to be removed as a unit from the propeller and retrieved for later re-use, cleaning or disposal.
The flexible material serves to inhibit marine growth in at least two ways. First, it provides a barrier preventing barnacle larvae from reaching the propeller. Secondly, it shades the propeller from the sun thereby inhibiting growth of grass or slime on the blades of the propeller. The flexible material need not be wrapped perfectly tightly about the propeller, and indeed a loose fitting of the flexible material about the propeller is sufficient and promotes easy and reliable release of the protective system by the user from a position above the waterline.
For most boats, the system of this disclosure is typically installed on the propeller by a diver (which could be the owner if they are willing to get wet or have suitable dive equipment). However, a diver is not needed to remove the protective system. It can be immediately removed by simply pulling on the link.
The protective system will now be described with reference to the appended Figures, which show representative and non-limiting examples of how the protective system can be constructed and installed on a variety of vessels.
To remove the protective system, the user grasps the free end 26 of the link 24 and gives it at tug. This action releases the material 20 from the clamp 22. By pulling in on the link 24 the user then retrieves the material 20 and clamp 22 as a unit from the propeller and brings it on deck for cleaning and stowage or disposal. This action is done by the user from the cockpit or the adjacent slip, without the user getting wet. No diver is required to remove the protective system 10.
In an embodiment in which the fastening member 22 is in the form of snaps or Velcro, for example, the invention works in a similar fashion. The fastening member is sufficient to hold the flexible material gathered around the propeller. The end of the link may be attached to the fastening member, or alternatively it may be attached to the flexible material directly.
Suitable materials from the flexible material 20 include plastic sheeting, canvas, Sunbrella and other synthetic fabrics, as well as materials specifically adapted for receiving antifouling paints such as Hypalon (chlorosulfonated polyethylene synthetic rubber), Hypalon coated nylon, and PVC-coated nylon. In one embodiment, the flexible material is coated with antifouling paint.
The length L (
It will be noted that while in the embodiment of
As noted above, the protective system of this disclosure is suitable for use with a variety of different configurations of propellers and different boats.
While the link 24 is shown in the Figures as a length of line, it could also take the form of webbing or a rigid member, e.g., a wood, plastic or fiberglass wand. One end of the rigid member is tied or otherwise affixed to the clamp and the free end led or tied off at the transom or adjacent slip.
In one configuration, the protective system is manufactured and sold as a unit comprising the flexible material, attached clamping member, and the link. Alternatively, the system is sold as the flexible material and the attached fastening member along with printed instructions for the purchaser to obtain a suitable length of line or webbing and attach one end to the fastening member and or flexible material and lead the other end to a convenient location above the water line such as the transom, deck, or nearby slip.
The following clauses are offered as further descriptions of the disclosed invention.
1. A protective system for underwater installation on the propeller 12 of a boat, the boat having a waterline, the propeller having blades with front and rear surfaces, comprising:
a flexible material 20 sized and shaped so as to be capable of being wrapped around the front and rear surfaces of the blades of the propeller and gathered so as to substantially surround propeller;
a fastening member 22 (e.g., clamp, clip, Velcro™, snaps, pin, or other suitable fastener) affixed to the flexible material (
a link 24 having one end attached to at least one of the fastening member and the flexible material, the link having sufficient length such that when the flexible material is gathered about the propeller and maintained in place with the fastening member, the link extends to a location proximate to the boat at or above the waterline of the boat (e.g., the deck, transom or cockpit) wherein the link can be retrieved by a user of the boat;
wherein the link and fastening member are constructed and arranged (
2. The system of clause 1, wherein the link 24 comprises a flexible line and wherein the flexible line is of sufficient length to extend from the fastening member to a position on the deck of the boat (
3. The system of clause 1, wherein the link 24 comprises a length of webbing and wherein the webbing is of sufficient length to extend from the flexible material to a position on the deck of the boat.
4. The system of clause 1, wherein the link comprises a rigid member (e.g. wood, plastic or fiberglass) of sufficient length to extend from the flexible material to a position substantially above the waterline of the boat.
5. The system of clause 1, wherein the flexible material 20 comprises a material specifically designed and suited for application of antifouling paint (e.g., Hypalon).
6. The system of clause 1, further comprising antifouling paint applied to the flexible material.
7. The system of clause 1, wherein the flexible material comprises first and second opposed rectangular panels 60, 62 of material each and first and second adjacent edges (
wherein the first and second rectangular panels comprises a corner portion and wherein the fastening member is affixed to the corner portion (
8. The system of clause 1, wherein the fastening member comprises a C-shaped clamp (
9. A method of inhibiting marine growth on a propeller of a boat, the boat having a waterline, the propeller having blades with front and rear surfaces, comprising:
while the boat is in water, wrapping a flexible material 20 around the front and rear surfaces of the blades of the propeller and gathering the material so that the material substantially surrounds the propeller;
maintaining the flexible material in a gathered state with the aid of a fastening member 22 affixed to the flexible material (
leading a link 24 having one end attached to at least one of the fastening member and the flexible material to a location at or above the waterline of the boat wherein the link can be retrieved by a user of the boat (
wherein the link and fastening member are constructed and arranged wherein a tug on the link by the user releases gathered flexible material from the propeller permitting the retrieval of the line, and the fastening member and attached flexible material as a unit from the propeller without the aid of a diver.
10. The method of clause 9, wherein the link comprises a flexible line and wherein the flexible line is led to a position above the waterline of the boat.
11. The method of clause 9, wherein the link comprises a length of webbing and wherein the webbing is led to a position above the waterline of the boat.
12. The method of clause 9, wherein the link comprises a rigid member and wherein the rigid member is led to a position substantially above the waterline of the boat.
13. The method of clause 9, wherein the flexible material comprises a material specifically designed and suited for application of antifouling paint.
14. The method of clause 9, wherein the maintaining step comprises clamping the flexible material with a C-shaped clamp having first and second levers extending therefrom which operate to open the clamp (
15. The method of clause 9, wherein the wrapping, maintaining and leading steps are performed by a diver.
16. A kit comprising a set of the underwater protective systems as recited in claim 1 constructed to fit different size propellers.
17. The kit of clause 16, wherein a first portion of the kit is designed to fit propellers having a diameter under 20 inches and second portion of the kit is designed to fit propellers having a diameter of at least 20 inches.
18. A protective system comprising a flexible material 30 adapted to surround an underwater component remote from the propeller (
19. The apparatus of clause 18, wherein the flexible material further comprises a clamp affixed to the flexible material and wherein the link is a attached to the clamp (
20. The apparatus of clause 18, wherein the flexible material further comprises a rim and an elastomeric band in the rim enabling the flexible material to snugly envelop the component (
21. A protective system for underwater installation on the propeller 12 of a boat, the boat having a waterline, the propeller having two or more blades each having front and rear surfaces, comprising:
a flexible material 20 sized and shaped so as to be capable of being wrapped around the front and rear surfaces of the blades of the propeller and gathered so as to substantially surround propeller;
a fastening member 22 (e.g., clamp, clip, Velcro™, snaps, or other suitable fastener) affixed to the flexible material (
instructions for a user to attach one end of a link 24 to at least one of the fastening member and the flexible material, the link having sufficient length such that when the flexible material is gathered about the propeller and maintained in place with the fastening member, the link extends to a location proximate to the boat at or above the waterline of the boat (e.g., the deck, transom or cockpit) wherein the link can be retrieved by a user of the boat whereby a tug on the link by the user releases the gathered flexible material from the propeller permitting the retrieval of the link, and the attached fastening member and the flexible material as a unit from the propeller without the aid of a diver.
Various modifications to the illustrated embodiments may be made without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention. This true scope and spirit is to be arrived at by reference to the appended claims, interpreted in light of the foregoing specification.
Claims
1. A protective system for underwater installation on the propeller of a boat, the boat having a waterline, the propeller having blades with front and rear surfaces, comprising:
- a flexible material sized and shaped so as to be capable of being wrapped around the front and rear surfaces of the blades of the propeller and gathered so as to substantially surround the propeller;
- a member for maintaining the flexible material in the gathered state; and
- a link having one end attached to at least one of the member and the flexible material, the link having sufficient length such that when the flexible material is gathered about the propeller and maintained in place with the member the link extends to a location proximate to the boat at or above the waterline of the boat wherein the link can be retrieved by a user of the boat;
- wherein the link, flexible material and member are constructed and arranged wherein a tug on the link by the user releases the gathered flexible material from the propeller permitting the retrieval of the link, and the member and the flexible material as a unit from the propeller without the aid of a diver.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the link comprises a flexible line and wherein the flexible line is of sufficient length to extend from at least one of the member and the flexible material to a position on the deck of the boat.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the link comprises a length of webbing and wherein the webbing is of sufficient length to extend from at least one of the member and the flexible material to a position on the deck of the boat.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the link comprises a rigid member of sufficient length to extend from at least one of the member and the flexible material to a position substantially above the waterline of the boat.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the flexible material comprises a material specifically designed and suited for application of antifouling paint.
6. The system of claim 1, further comprising antifouling paint applied to the flexible material.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the flexible material comprises first and second opposed panels of material each and first and second adjacent edges, the first and second adjacent edges being joined together; and
- wherein the first and second panels comprises a corner portion and wherein the member is affixed to the corner portion.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the member comprises a clamp having first and second levers which operate to open the clamp, and wherein the link is attached to one or both of the first and second levers.
9. A method of inhibiting marine growth on a propeller of a boat, the boat having a waterline, the propeller having two or more blades each having front and rear surfaces, comprising:
- while the boat is in water, wrapping a flexible material around the front and rear surfaces of the blades of the propeller and gathering the material so that the material substantially surrounds the propeller;
- maintaining the flexible material in the gathered state with the aid of a member;
- leading a link having one end attached to at least one of the member and the flexible material to a location at or above the waterline of the boat wherein the link can be retrieved by a user of the boat;
- wherein the link, flexible material and member are constructed and arranged wherein a tug on the link by the user releases the gathered flexible material from the propeller permitting the retrieval of the link, and the member and attached flexible material as a unit from the propeller without the aid of a diver.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the link comprises a flexible line and wherein the flexible line is led to a position above the waterline of the boat.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein the link comprises a length of webbing and wherein the webbing is led to a position above the waterline of the boat.
12. The method of claim 9, wherein the link comprises a rigid member and wherein the rigid member is led to a position substantially above the waterline of the boat.
13. The method of claim 9, wherein the flexible material comprises a material specifically designed and suited for application of antifouling paint.
14. The method of claim 9, wherein the maintaining step comprises clamping the flexible material with a clamp having first and second levers which operate to open and close the clamp, and wherein the link is attached to one or both of the first and second levers.
15. The method of claim 9, wherein the wrapping, maintaining and leading steps are performed by a diver.
16. A kit comprising a set of the underwater protective systems as recited in claim 1 designed to fit different size propellers.
17. The kit of claim 16, wherein a first portion of the kit is designed to fit propellers having a diameter under 20 inches and second portion of the kit is designed to fit propellers having a diameter of at least 20 inches.
18. Underwater protective apparatus, comprising a flexible material adapted to surround an underwater component of the boat remote from a propeller of the boat and a link extending from the flexible material to a location at or above the waterline of the boat where the second link can be retrieved by the user.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the apparatus further comprises a fastening member affixed to the flexible material and wherein the link is a attached to the fastening member.
20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the flexible material further comprises a rim and an elastomeric band in the rim enabling the flexible material to snugly envelop the component.
21. A protective system for underwater installation on the propeller of a boat, the boat having a waterline, the propeller having blades with front and rear surfaces, comprising:
- a flexible material sized and shaped so as to be capable of being wrapped around the front and rear surfaces of the blades of the propeller and gathered so as to substantially surround propeller;
- a member for maintaining the flexible material in the gathered state; and
- instructions for a user to attach one end of a link to at least one of the member and the flexible material, the link having sufficient length such that when the flexible material is gathered about the propeller and maintained in place with the member, the link extends to a location proximate to the boat at or above the waterline of the boat wherein the link can be retrieved by a user of the boat whereby a tug on the link by the user releases the gathered flexible material from the propeller permitting the retrieval of the link, the member and the flexible material as a unit from the propeller without the aid of a diver.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 30, 2009
Publication Date: Mar 31, 2011
Inventor: Michael J. Novack, IV (Port Hadlock, WA)
Application Number: 12/587,027
International Classification: B63B 17/00 (20060101);