US3921561A

US3921561A - Biased kick-up rudder apparatus for boats

Info

Publication number: US3921561A
Application number: US540140A
Authority: US
Inventors: Henry L Arce
Original assignee: Coast Catamaran Corp
Current assignee: Coast Catamaran Corp
Priority date: 1975-01-10
Filing date: 1975-01-10
Publication date: 1975-11-25
Anticipated expiration: 1992-11-25

Abstract

A biased kick-up rudder apparatus adapted for sailing a boat off a beach. The support for mounting the rudder to the boat is pivotable about a generally vertical axis, and the rudder is pivotable upon the support about a generally horizontal first axis. A tiller is pivotally mounted to the rudder for movement about a horizontal second axis. Camming apparatus associated with the tiller and rudder support are biased into engagement by an elastic cord. Upwardly pivoting and pulling upon the tiller overcomes this bias and moves the rudder from a lowered to a raised position. The shape of the camming apparatus requires a relatively high external force to pivot it from its lowered position independently of the tiller. Use of an elastic cord enables smooth movement of the rudder from its lowered position to other pivoted positions and reduces the expense and complexity of prior latching mechanisms for releasably holding the rudder in selected positions.

Description

limited States Patent 91 Arse [ Nov. 25, 1975 1 BIASED KICK-UP RUDDER APPARATUS FOR BOATS [75] lnventor: Henry L. Arce, San Juan Capistrano, Calif.

[73] Assignee: Coast Catamaran Corporation, Irvine, Calif.

[22] Filed: Jan. 10, 1975 [21] Appl. No.: 540,140

Primary Examiner-Trygve M. Blix Assistant Examiner-Jesus D. Sotelo Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Fulwider, Patton, Rieber, Lee & Utecht [57] ABSTRACT A biased kick-up rudder apparatus adapted for sailing a boat off a beach. The support for mounting the rudder to the boat is pivotable about a generally vertical axis, and the rudder is pivotable upon the support about a generally horizontal first axis. A tiller is pivotally mounted to the rudder for movement about a horizontal second axis. Camming apparatus associated with the tiller and rudder support are biased into engagement by an elastic cord. Upwardly pivoting and pulling upon the tiller overcomes this bias and moves the rudder from a lowered to a raised position. The shape of the camming apparatus requires a relatively high external force to pivot it from its lowered position independently of the tiller. Use of an elastic cord enables smooth movement of the rudder from its lowered position to other pivoted positions and reduces the expense and complexity of prior latching mechanisms for releasably holding the rudder in selected positions.

11 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures U.S.-Patent Nov.25,1975 SheetlofZ 3,921,561

.U.,S. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet20f2 3,921,561

BIASED KICK-UP RUDDER APPARATUS FOR BOATS CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 3,575,124, issued Apr. 13, 1971 for Kick-up Rudder Apparatus for Boats", and assigned to the same as signee as the present application. The present appara tus is similar to the patented apparatus except for the employment in the present invention of a different form of camming means and also a bias means for urging the components together, particularly during pivotal movement of the rudder. This promotes a smoother transitional movement of the rudder from one to the other of its various pivoted positions. The different camming means also varies the force required to effect movement of the rudder in certain positions of pivot.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to the art of sailing and more particularly to a biased kick-up rudder apparatus adapted for sailing a boat off a beach.

2. Description of the Prior Art As previously indicated, U.S. Pat. No. 3,575,124 discloses a kick-up rudder moveable between a lowered position and a completely raised position. In that apparatus the tiller can be pivoted upwardly to release a lock means, and then pulled forwardly to pivot the rudder upwardly to a raised position. The rudder is also moveable from its lowered position toward its raised position upon engagement with the bottom, and the tiller can be used to steer the rudder in any of the rudder positions. A second lock means is employed to retain the rudder in its raised position until released by movement of the tiller.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a biased kick-up rudder apparatus is provided which performs the functions of the apparatus of U.S. Pat. No. 3,575,124, but with important improvements. A bias means is used in combination with an improved camming means to effeet a smooth transitional movement of the rudder from one to the other of its various pivoted positions. There is no jarring or abrupt action when the rudder moves out of its lowered position. The bias means also holds the tiller in a convenient position for steering in all of the pivoted positions of the rudder, and the tiller can be pivoted upwardly out of the way even with the rudder in its raised position.

Generally, the foregoing is accomplished by mounting the rudder to the boat by a pivot means or rudder support moveable about a vertical axis, and allowing pivotal movement of the rudder on the rudder support about a first horizontal axis. The tiller pivots on the rudder about a second horizontal axis located above and rearwardly of the first axis. Thus, pulling upon the tiller effects upward pivotal movement of the rudder from its lowered position.

The tiller includes camming means characterized by camming surfaces and detents which include an up- I A cam roller carried by the pivot means or rudder support is urged by a bias means in the form of an elongated elastic or shock cord into relatively forcible engagement with the camming surfaces and detents. In the lowered position of the rudder this engagement is along the upwardly and forwardly inclined first surface so that it is relatively difficult to upwardly pivot the rudder in the absence of prior upward movement of the tiller to effect movement of the first cam surface off the cam roller. However, the resistance to pivotal movement is not great enough to prevent the rudder from pivoting upon encountering an obstruction such as the bottom.

There is no detent or locking means constraining the rudder from moving out of its lower position so that when such movement occurs, either by upwardly tilting the tiller or by contact of the rudder with the bottom, the movement is'smooth and without jarring shock. The bias means constrains the tiller from wildly or uncontrollably moving upwardly, so that it is conveniently available for continuous steering of the rudder through the various positions of pivot of the rudder.

The first detent of the camming means is adapted to releasably retain the rudder in its raised position, and the second detent is adapted to hold both the rudder and the tiller in upwardly pivoted positions.

The bias means obviates any necessity for employing relatively expensive releasable locking means characterized by precision springs and machined components.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from consideration of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a biased kick-up rudder apparatus according to the present invention, the rudder being illustrated in its lowered position;

FIGS. 2, 3 & 4 are side elevational views similar to FIG. 1, but illustrating the rudder in progressively higher pivoted positions as the boat is sailed onto a beach;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view showing the rudder in its completely raised position, the raised position of the tiller being shown in phantom outline;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view taken along the line 66 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross sectional view taken through the lowered rudder, rudder support and rear portion of the tiller; and

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 but illustrating the rudder in its raised position. 1

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, a biased rudder apparatus 10 according to the present invention is shown mounted on the stern portion of a boat 12, the transom of the boat 12 being provided with upper and lower vertically spaced

gudgeons

14 and 16. The rudder apparatus includes a rudder 18, a pivot means or rudder support generally designated 20, and a tiller generally designated 22 which includes a camming means or tiller support 24.

In FIG. 1 the rudder 18 is shown in its lowered position. The rudder 18 is normally maintained in this lowered position when the boat 12 is underway in water deep enough that the rudder does not touch the ground or bottom 26. When the rudder 18 engages the bottom 26, as seen in FIG. 2, the rudder 18 will be pivoted rearwardly and upwardly from its lowered position into some intermediate position. As the boat 12 moves through shallower water, the rudder 18 is urged progressively upwardly and rearwardly, as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, until it reaches the raised position illustrated in FIGS. and 8. The waterline is indicated by the numeral 27.

The rudder support 20 is preferably of metallic construction and characterized by a deep channel or recess which receives the upper extremity of the rudder 18. The closed forward portion of the rudder support 20 comprises a vertically extending web 28 which, as best seen in FIG. 7, includes a forwardly facing recess 30. The recess 30 receives the

gudgeons

14 and 16. The web 28 also includes a vertical bore 34 that receives a pintle 36. The pintle 36 extends through

complementary bores

38 and 40 provided in the

gudgeons

14 and 16, respectively, whereby the rudder 18 is adapted to pivot about the generally vertically oriented axis 42 defined by the pintle 36.

The upper portion of the rudder 18 is pivotally supported upon the rudder support 20 by a horizontally disposed pivot pin 44 for movement about a generally horizontally oriented first axis 46 established by the pin 44.

The channel walls of the upper forward portion of the rudder support 20 define a pair of spaced apart

cam roller walls

48 and 50 which rotatably support a horizontally oriented cam abutment or roller 52. As best seen in FIG. 6, the cam roller 52 includes a central bore through which extends a headed pin 54 held in place by a usual cotter pin 56 engaged upon a retaining washer 58.

The cam roller 52 is characterized by a circumferentially extending, reduced diameter portion or groove 60. .The underside of the groove 60 receives the forward run of a biasmeans in the form of an elastic or resilient shock cord 62. As will be seen, the cord 62 is also disposed about portions of the tiller support 24 and rudder 18 to effect forcible engagement of the roller 52 with the support 24.

The tiller support 24, which is preferably metallic and of generally inverted U-shape, includes a pair of vertically disposed

side walls

64 and 66 which are bridged or connected by an integral arcuate portion 68.

The portion 68 receives the rearward extremity of the tubular. tiller 22, and is secured thereto by a plurality of rivets 76.

As best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the lower rear portion of the tiller 22 includes an aperture 70 through which the shock cord 62 extends. A horizontally oriented pin 72 is disposed through the tiller

support side walls

64 and 66 to guide the shock cord 62 through the aperture 70. The pin 72 is retained in position by a usual cotter pin 74.

The shock cord extends rearwardly from the aperture 70 through the hollow interior of the tiller 22, as best seen in FIG. 7, underlying the pair of rivets 76 which secure together the tiller 22 and tiller support 24. The cord 62 then passes over the rearward upper extremity of the rudder 18 and extends through a short passage formed in the wooden rudder 18 behind the pivot pin 44 and adjacent the rearward edge of the rudder. The end of the shock cord 62 is molded or otherwise integrally connected to a cylindrical end plug or anchorage 78 which closely fits within a horizontal bore provided in the rudder 18 at the end of the short passage. The opposite end of the cord 62 extends rearwardly from the point where it is trained around the cam roller 44, passes through a short passage formed in the upper portion of the rudder 18, and terminates in an end anchorage 84 which fits within a complemental horizontal bore provided at the end of the short passage.

The tiller 22 is pivotally mounted to the rudder 18 by a horizontally oriented pivot pin 82 for movement about a horizontal second axis 80 defined by the pin 82. The second axis 80 is located generally upwardly and rearwardly relative to the first axis 46 as seen in FIG. 7, whereby forward urging of the tiller 22 tends to urge the second axis pivot pin 82 forwardly. This pivots the rudder 18 about the first axis pivot pin 44.

As been seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, the edges of the

opposite side walls

64 and 66 of the tiller support 24 are engaged by the cam roller 52 in the various pivoted positions of the rudder 18. These edges comprise camming surfaces and are so shaped and oriented that the force required to pivot the rudder 18 depends in part upon the point of engagement of the cam roller 52 with these edges of the

walls

64 and 66. More particularly the forward edges of the

side walls

64 and 66 are upwardly and forwardly inclined and together define what will be referred to as a first cam surface 86. The surface 86 is engaged by the roller 52 in the lowered position of the rudder 18, as best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 7.

The lower terminus of the first cam surface 86 is smoothly faired into a generally horizontally oriented second cam surface 88 of convex or arcuate shape, as best seen in FIGS. 7 and 8. The cam roller 52 is in engagement with the second cam surface 88 through most of the range of pivoted positions of the rudder 18 upwardly of its lowered position, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 4.

The second cam surface 88 terminates at its rearward extremity in a recess or first detent 90 which is adapted to closely receive the cam roller 52, as best seen in FIGS. 5 and 8. With the roller 52 located in the first detent 90, the tiller support 24 is constrained against pivotal movement which, by virtue of its pivotal interconnection with the rudder 18, also constrains the rudder 18 against downward pivotal movement from its raised position. However, by simply raising or upwardly pivoting the tiller 22, the first detent 90 is raised off the cam roller 52. This enables the rudder 18 to move downwardly of its own weight, during which time the bias of the shock cord 62 causes the cam roller 52 to roll smoothly upon the second cam surface 88as the surface 88 moves rearwardly. However, if instead of raising the tiller 22, it is pulled forwardly, the first detent 90 is moved forwardly of the cam roller 52, with the rearward wall of the detent 90 riding smoothly over the roller 52, and a second recess or detent 92 formed in the rearward end of the tiller support 24 comes into position adjacent the cam roller 52. The second detent 92 is configured to open rearwardly with the tiller lowered. Tipping the tiller slightly upwardly seats the cam roller 52 within the second detent 92, retaining the rudder 18 in its raised position. The tiller 22 can now be tilted completely upwardly to an upright position and out of the way, as shown in phantom outline in FIG. 5, and without disturbing the raised position of the rudder 18. As seen in FIG. 8, this is because the cam roller 52 is engaged by the side margins of the second detent 92, preventing relative movement despite the raised position of the tiller. Consequently, the rudder 18 cannot pivot downwardly.

The second detent 92 is released from the roller 52 by bringing the raised tiller to a nearly horizontal position and pulling it slightly forwardly. This pulls the second detent 92 forwardly and away from the roller 52. Raising the tiller 22 slightly then allows the weight of the rudder 18 to move the cam surface 88 rearwardly along the roller 52.

After the second cam surface 88 rides off the cam roller, the first cam surface 86 engages the roller, as

seen in FIG. 7. In this position a significant or appreciable force is required against the bottom of the rudder to pivot it against the bias of the cord 62, and cause the cam surface 86 to ride upwardly on the roller 52. The normal action of the sea is insufficient to pivot the rudder upwardly, but contact with the ground or bottom would be sufficient to do this. However, the cam surface 86 is easily freed from the roller 52 by merely slightly raising the tiller 22. If this is immediately followed by a forward pulling upon the tiller 22, cam surface 88 easily rides over the roller 52 and is quickly brought toward its raised position, as previously described.

Thus, by virtue of the particular location of the cam surfaces and the detents, and the continuing bias exerted by the shock cord 62 to maintain the cam roller 52 in engagement with the cam surfaces and detents, a smooth transition of the rudder occurs from its lowered position to its other positons. Once the roller 52 is lodged in the first detent 90, the forward wall of the detent 90 maintains this engagement until the tiller is deliberately raised. Alternatively, the tiller can be pulled forwardly to slide the rear wall of the detent 90 over the roller 52 and bring the second detent 92 into position adjacent the roller 52. Either the forward wall of the detent 92 or one of the side walls of the detent 92 engages the roller 52 in all positions of pivot of the tiller 22. Consequently the tiller 22 can be raised to an upwardly pivoted position without the second detent 92 coming out of engagement with the roller 52. This keeps the rudder 18 from dropping toward its lowered position.

The constant bias exerted by the shock cord 62 prevents the tiller 22 from inadvertently flopping about and pivoting upwardly to get in the way of the boat operator. This greatly facilitates steering. Steering is further enhanced by the lateral bearing provided by the location of the tiller

support side walls

64 and 66 within and closely adjacent the

walls

48 and 50 of the rudder support 20.

Summarizing the operation of the present rudder apparatus l0, and assuming the boat 12 is underway in water of sufficient depth that the lower end of the rudder 18 is above the bottom 26, the rudder 18 is retained in its lower position. as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 7, by engagement of the cam roller 52 by the first cam surface 86. As seen in FIG. 2, if the boat 12 approaches a beach so that the rudder 18 engages the bottom 26, the rudder 18 is pivoted upwardly and rearwardly by such contact. Such movement is permitted by virtue of 88 is relatively free to slide forwardly over the roller 52, allowing the rudder 18 to pivot upwardly rather easily. However, during such pivotal movement of the rudder 18, the tiller 22 is in position for the boat operator to use it to steer the craft.

As the boat rides up onto the beach, the operator can locate the first detent 90 over the cam roller 52, to thereby maintain the rudder 18 in its raised position, by pulling forwardly upon the tiller 22, as seen in FIGS. 5 and 8. As previously indicated, the tiller 22 may be further pulled forwardly to locate the second detent 92 over the roller 52, which allows the tiller 22 to be pivoted upwardly to the phantom position illustrated in FIG. 5. This allows the operator to more easily move in the boat, since the obstruction of a forwardly extending tiller is removed.

When it is desired to sail the boat 12 off the beach, the tiller 22 is pulled forwardly to bring the second detent 92 out of engagement with the cam roller 52. Slightly upwardly pivoting the tiller 22 then allows the second cam surface 88 to slid-e rearwardly over the roller 52, which is accompanied by downward pivotal movement of the rudder 18. When the depth of water permits, the tiller 22 can then be urged rearwardly to pivot the rudder l8 downwardly and bring the cam surface 86 into position rearwardly of the cam roller 52. In this position the rudder 18 is resiliently maintained in its lowered position.

Various forms of bias means other than the shock cord 62 will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. However, the cord 62 is an inexpensive and relatively easily installed and maintained means to provide the desired bias force.

Various modifications and changes may be made with regard to the foregoing detailed description without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. Biased kick-up rudder apparatus comprising:

pivot means adapted to be mounted to a boat stern for pivotal movement about a generally vertical axis;

a rudder mounted to said pivot means for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal first axis, between a lowered position and a raised position;

a tiller including camming means and mounted to said rudder for pivotal movement about a generally horizontally second axis; and

bias means operative upon said rudder, said pivot means and said tiller to forcibly bias said camming means and said pivot means together and thereby resiliently hold said rudder and tiller in various pivoted positions relative to said first and second axes, respectively.

2. Biased kick-up rudder apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said camming means includes a first cam surface which, in a generally horizontal position of said tiller, is downwardly and rearwardly inclined; said pivot means including a cam follower engaged upon said first cam surface in said lowered position of said rudder, said first cam surface being closer to vertical than horizontal whereby the force required for movement of said rudder out of said lowered position is relatively great.

3. Biased kick-up rudder apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said pivotal movement of said tiller in an upward direction is operative to move said first cam surface out of engagement with said cam follower whereby said force required for movement of said rudder out of said lowered position is reduced.

4. Biased kick-up rudder apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said camming means includes a second cam surface forming a rearward continuation of said first cam surface, said second cam surface being generally horizontally oriented in said generally horizontal position of said tiller, and biased against said cam follower upon movement of said rudder out of said lowered position whereby said tiller is constrained against upward pivotal movement during said movement of said rudder.

5. Biased kick-up rudder apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said camming means includes a first cam detent adjacent the rearward terminus of said second cam surface, said first cam detent being adapted to overlie and receive said cam follower in said raised position of said rudder whereby said rudder is constrained against movement toward said lowered position in the absence of upward pivotal movement of said tiller.

6. Biased kick-up rudder apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said camming means includes a second cam detent located rearwardly of said second cam surface and opening rearwardly in a generally horizontal position of said tiller to receive said cam follower in said raised position of said rudder, whereby said rudder is constrained against movement toward said lowered position and said tiller is pivotable to an upright position without disengagement of said cam follower.

7. Biased kick-up rudder apparatus comprising:

a rudder support adapted to be mounted to a boat stern for pivotal movement about a generally vertical axis, said rudder support including a cam follower;

a rudder mounted to said rudder support for pivotal movement between a lowered position and a raised position, and about a transverse first axis located rearwardly of said cam follower;

a tiller mounted to said rudder for pivotal movement between a horizontal and an upright position, and about a transverse second axis located above and rearwardly of said first axis, in said horizontal position of said tiller and said lowered position of said rudder, whereby forward pulling upon said tiller effects both pivotal movement of said rudder about I said first axis and forward translational movement of said second axis; and

an elastic cord disposed about said rudder support,

said rudder and said tiller, and biasing said cam follower and said tiller together to resiliently hold said rudder in various positions of pivot about said first axis.

8. Biased kick-up rudder apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said tiller includes a first cam surface biased against said cam follower by said cord, said first cam surface being relatively upright in a horizontal position of said tiller whereby relatively great force is required to rearwardly pivot said rudder toward said raised position in the absence of upward pivotal movement of said tiller.

9. Biased kick-up rudder apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said tiller includes a second cam surface forming a rearward, generally horizontal continuation of said relatively upright first cam surface, whereby relatively small force is required to rearwardly pivot said rudder toward said raised position, and said tiller is constrained by said cord against said upward pivotal movement.

10. Biased kick-up rudder apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said tiller includes a first cam detent which, in said horizontal position of said tiller, is downwardly open to overlie and receive said cam follower whereby said rudder is constrained against forward pivotal movement in the absence of upward pivotal movement of said tiller.

11. Biased kick-up rudder apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said tiller includes a second cam detent which, in said horizontal position of said tiller, is rearwardly open to receive said cam follower whereby said rudder is constrained against forward pivotal movement, said second cam detent being rotatable to a position underlying said second axis, upon pivotal movement of said tiller to said upright position, whereby said cam follower remains in said second cam detent and said rudder continues to be constrained against forward pivotal movement.

Claims

1. Biased kick-up rudder apparatus comprising: pivot means adapted to be mounted to a boat stern for pivotal movement about a generally vertical axis; a rudder mounted to said pivot means for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal first axis, between a lowered position and a raised position; a tiller including camming means and mounted to said rudder for pivotal movement about a generally horizontally second axis; and bias means operative upon said rudder, said pivot means and said tiller to forcibly bias said camming means and said pivot means together and thereby resiliently hold said rudder and tiller in various pivoted positions relative to said first and second axes, respectively.

7. Biased kick-up rudder apparatus comprising: a rudder support adapted to be mounted to a boat stern for pivotal movement about a generally vertical axis, said rudder support including a cam follower; a rudder mounted to said rudder support for pivotal movement between a lowered position and a raised position, and about a transverse first axis located rearwardly of said cam follower; a tiller mounted to said rudder for pivotal movement between a horizontal and an upright position, and about a transverse second axis located above and rearwardly of said first axis, in said horizontal position of said tiller and said lowered position of said rudder, whereby forward pulling upon said tiller effects both pivotal movement of said rudder about said first axis and forward translational movement of said second axis; and an elastic cord disposed about said rudder support, said rudder and said tiller, and biasing Said cam follower and said tiller together to resiliently hold said rudder in various positions of pivot about said first axis.