Patent ID: 7082887
Filing Date: 2006-08-01
Classification: B63B

Abstract:
1. Stabilizing apparatus for use in stabilizing a water borne object floating on a body of water, with the water borne object having an external hinge pin mounted to at least one external side wall of the water borne object and configured such that the hinge pin extends forward, said stabilizing apparatus comprising: a) a body, said body including: b) at least one stabilizing pod having a longitudinal axis and including a hinging apparatus, said at least one stabilizing pod being substantially rectangular in cross-section in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the at least one stabilizing pod, said at least one stabilizing pod being adapted to be readily attachable to the water borne object via cooperation with the hinging apparatus; c) the hinging apparatus being removably mounted to the at least one external side wall of the object substantially towards the stern or rear end of the object and in the region of either or both the chine line and the plane of the water line when said object is in the water, wherein the hinging apparatus includes: d) said at least one stabilizing pod adapted to co-operate with the hinging apparatus to pivotally hinge the stabilizing pod between a retracted, non-use, storage position against a side of the object, and an extended, operating position effecting contact between substantially an entire lower surface of the at least one stabilizing pod and the surface of the water; and e) latching apparatus, said latching apparatus including a bracing portion adapted to maintain the body in the non-use, storage position relative to the external side wall of the object to which the body is attached, and said latching apparatus, when released, further enabling the body to freely pivot towards the extended operating position wherein the bracing portion of the latching apparatus is further adapted to engage with the at least one stabilizing pod to maintain the body in the extended operating position; and wherein the at least one stabilizing pod is adapted to be removably attached to the side of the water borne object to effect use of the at least one stabilizing pod as a flotation device independent of the object.