HULL FAIRING FOR HUMAN-POWERED WATERCRAFT WITH RETRACTABLE DRIVE MECHANISM

Abstract

A hull fairing system for a water craft with a retractable drive mechanism including a vertically disposed deployment well integrated into the hull of the watercraft, a retractable drive mechanism, and a hull fairing matching the lower contour of the hull. The deployment well may incorporate draft to allow for a tight fit with the contour matched hull fairing when the drive mechanism is deployed and a loose fit through the retracted range. Further, the composition of the contour matched hull fairing may be of a suitable compliant material such as elastomeric compounds to provide an improved fit when deployed. The hull fairing itself is vertically constrained to the drive mechanism and travels up and down with it. The hull fairing need not be rotationally constrained and may therefore accommodate steerable lower propulsion units.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of human-powered watercraft. More particularly the present invention relates to human-powered watercraft utilizing pedal powered drive mechanisms that may be deployed and retracted as desired.

With recent developments in pedal powered small watercraft, the need has arisen for deployable mounting systems and a practical means of integrating these systems into the hull of a watercraft. While many mechanisms have been proposed that provide sound means of retraction and deployment, very few solutions have been presented to smoothing water flow across the aperture in the hull that is a prerequisite of utilizing a retractable drive mechanism.

II. Description of the Related Art

The field of design related to the integration of pedal driven propulsion mechanisms with small watercraft is relatively new with few offerings for truly retractable drive gear. Many manufactures choose to mechanically latch their drive units to the hull requiring the operator to unlatch and remove the drive for beaching or transporting. This method of latching accommodates aperture plugging schemes very easily, but it is desirable to not have to deal with separable parts and the laborious chore of manual latching. A summary of related art follows:

Patent to Clegg (U.S. Pat. No. 11,332,227) describes a four bar mount with a vertically disposed ground link and slider link allowing for deployment and retraction through a vertical aperture in the watercraft hull. No provision for covering the aperture or smoothing water flow is provided.

Patent to Boyer et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 11,447,221) discloses a mounting interface having an upper and lower plate. The plates essentially cover the aperture in the hull and provide a means for inserting and latching the drive.

Application by Farber et al. (US 2019/0152574) teaches of a latched rod positioned fore of the drive mechanism on an appendage from the drive itself. This rod may be latched to the hull of the craft allowing for the drive to pivotally retract. A long slotted aperture is described without provision for covering the aperture or smoothing water flow across the hull.

Patent to Kuehmichel (U.S. Pat. No. 9,623,944) discloses a pivoting mounting arrangement with a plug assembly to cover the aperture in the hull. In one embodiment the plug assembly is pivotally mounted to the lower unit and manually set by the user for deployed or retracted states. In another embodiment the plug assembly is releasable and manually secured to the drive by the operator.

Patent to Murphy (U.S. Pat. No. 9,988,133) describes another four bar linkage allowing for deployment and retraction through a vertical aperture in the watercraft hull. No provision is made for the covering of the aperture or smoothing water flow across the hull.

Patent to Horvath et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 10,220,924) discusses another latched rod positioned fore of the drive mechanism on an appendage from the drive itself. This rod may be latched to an insert that is fastened to the hull of the craft allowing for the drive to pivotally retract. A long slotted aperture is described in the insert without provision for covering the aperture in the insert.

Patent to Nutz et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 9,914,519) describes embodiments of linear rack or linear slide mechanisms that provide a folding means upon full vertical retraction. A scupper cover attached to the hull adjacent to a bottom opening of the scupper is claimed which would potentially smooth the water flow across the opening of the scupper. However, as it is attached to the hull, it is not clear how effective this could be while still allowing for retraction of the mechanism.

Patent to Zimmerman et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 9,758,220) discusses another rotationally mounted retractable drive mechanism. The propeller shaft in this device utilizes a flexible shaft and is routed through a dagger board like housing. By the nature of the arrangement the dagger board does tend to cover the majority of the slotted aperture in the hull. However there is a significant region in the aft portion of the hull aperture that would remain open when deployed, thus introducing turbulent flow.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In its preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a simple contour matched hull fairing configured to attach to a pedal driven drive mechanism, and an aperture in the hull which the lower unit of the drive may pass through. The aperture may be described as a deployment well and may be of any shape suitable for passage and stowage of the propulsion means of the drive mechanism and the contour matched hull fairing. In its deployed state the contour matched hull fairing essentially fills the void in the lower hull of the craft thus smoothing the flow of water across it. The method in which this is accomplished, as well as other features, advantages, and capabilities of the present invention will become apparent from the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood when consideration is given to the following detailed description referencing the annexed drawings wherein. Like reference numerals have been assigned to relevant parts and are utilized throughout the drawings for clarity. The hull fairing of the present invention is indicated by the numeral 103.

FIG. 1 is a rear view of a sectioned watercraft hull showing the drive well and hull fairing.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a watercraft hull illustrating the shape and position of the drive well.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the hull fairing.

FIG. 4 is an isometric exploded view of the hull fairing illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a right side view of the hull fairing fitted to a retractably mounted drive mechanism disposed in a sectioned hull in its deployed state.

FIG. 6 is a right side view of the hull fairing fitted to a retractably mounted drive mechanism disposed in a sectioned hull in an intermediate state.

FIG. 7 is a right side view of the hull fairing fitted to a retractably mounted drive mechanism disposed in a sectioned hull in its retracted state.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For a fuller understanding of the nature, application and function of the present invention, reference should be directed to the following detailed description taken in context with the accompanying drawings. Referring first to FIG. 1 for a better understanding of the general construction and application of the preferred embodiment. A hull fairing 103 is secured to a retractable drive mechanism 113 so that its lower surface curvature is relatively continuous with the curvature of the watercraft hull 101 when in the fully deployed position. A vertically orientated well 102, integral to the watercraft hull 101, accommodates the hull fairing assembly 103 when the drive 113 is retracted. The deployment well 102 may include a draft angle, to increase clearance as the hull fairing 103 is retracted thus eliminating the possibility of interference between the hull fairing 103 and the well 102 and ensuring a tighter fit when deployed. When deployed the hull fairing 103 encourages laminar flow across the bottom of the craft, thus improving efficiency. In the preferred embodiment, a double walled “sit-on-top” style of hull 101 is used which does not require a seal between the fairing 103 and the hull 101. Like the scuppers common to this style of craft, water intrusion into the cockpit is not a concern as gravity and buoyancy ensure the cockpit stays dry. The hull fairing 103 may also be employed in single wall craft with the addition of a bellows seal.

Referring now to FIG. 2 which is a top view of a watercraft hull 101 designed for a retractable drive and including an appropriate deployment well 102 to accommodate retraction of the drive mechanism 113 and hull fairing 103. A simple rectangular opening is illustrated with a draft angle of approximately 2 degrees. A curved sealing surface is incorporated at the lower rear of the aperture as the retractable mount is of a four bar type and therefore follows an arcuate path. This curved sealing surface is clearly not necessary if a linear mechanism is employed.

For a better understanding of the physical form of the hull fairing, reference is directed to FIG. 3 which clearly shows the contour of the lower surface of the hull fairing 103 as it is designed to match the hull contour of the watercraft 101 in FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIG. 4 which is an isometric exploded view of the components of the hull fairing. In the preferred embodiment two hull fairing case halves 104, 105 are utilized and the hull fairing assembly 103 is vertically constrained to the drive mechanism 113 by integral shaft groove ring 110 that engages a groove in the lower gear case 111 of the drive mechanism. The hull fairing is secured by traditional fasteners and a threaded upper nut. The case halves may be sealed with a gasket or conventional elastomeric sealants. The case halves may be constructed of common materials including elastomers, glass resins, and plastics. Furthermore, they may include sufficient ports to allow for the ingress and egress of water eliminating the need for any kind of sealant. These ports would preferably be disposed in front or back faces as they would not disrupt the water flow across the hull when deployed.

For a fuller understanding of the function of the present invention reference is made to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 which are right side orthogonal views the system in deployed, intermediate, and retracted positions. FIG. 5 shows the drive mechanism assembly 113 in its deployed position with the hull fairing assembly nested against the watercraft hull 101 itself. The hull fairing assembly 103 is held in this position by its keyed engagement with lower gear case 111.

FIG. 6 shows the drive mechanism assembly 113 in an intermediate position with the hull fairing assembly tucked in the deployment well. This position is shown to illustrate how the deployment well 102 may be designed to accommodate the arcuate path of a four bar lift mechanism 114 and provide suitable clearance for the hull fairing 103.

FIG. 7 shows the drive mechanism assembly 113 in its fully retracted position with the hull fairing assembly tucked in the deployment well. This position illustrates how the deployment well 102 may be designed to accommodate the arcuate path of a four bar lift mechanism 114 and provide suitable clearance for the hull fairing 103 and drive mechanism 113 while stowed neatly above the keel of the watercraft 101.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative of the principles of the present invention in its preferred embodiment. Further, various modifications may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof and it is desired, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereon as are imposed by the prior art and which are set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A human powered watercraft with a retractable drive mechanism comprising:

a hull with a vertically disposed aperture to accommodate passage of the driving end of said drive mechanism;

a lift mechanism mounted to said hull to constrain the travel of the drive mechanism such that its driving end follows a linear or arcuate path; and

a hull fairing with a contoured lower surface, vertically constrained to a point on said drive mechanism at an elevation suitable to bring the lower contour in close proximity to the lower contour of said hull when the drive mechanism is fully deployed.

2. A human powered watercraft with a retractable drive mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lift mechanism is a four bar arrangement.

3. A human powered watercraft with a retractable drive mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lift mechanism is a linear slide arrangement.

4. A human powered watercraft with a retractable drive mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hull fairing is constructed of a rigid plastic material.

5. A human powered watercraft with a retractable drive mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hull fairing is constructed of an elastomeric material.

6. A human powered watercraft with a retractable drive mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hull fairing is constructed of fabric and resin.

7. A human powered watercraft with a retractable drive mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hull is of single wall construction, and further comprising, an elastomeric bellows seal connecting said hull to said hull fairing thus presenting a curtain wall to prevent water intrusion.

8. A human powered watercraft with a retractable drive mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said vertically disposed aperture includes vertically orientated walls that bridge a gap between upper and lower hull surfaces.

9. A human powered watercraft with a retractable drive mechanism as claimed in claim 8, wherein said vertically disposed walls include a draft angle causing the upper opening of the aperture to be larger than the lower.