Patent ID: 8276536
Filing Date: 2012-10-02
Classification: B63B,B63H

Abstract:
1. A rudder system for a kayak, said rudder system comprising: a rudder configured for pivotable attachment to said kayak; a propeller coupled to said rudder; a battery in electrical communication with said propeller to selectively power said propeller; an input in electrical communication with said propeller and configured to operatively actuate said propeller, said input being accessible from inside said kayak; first and second pedal assemblies; each said pedal assembly having a stationary rail configured for attachment to said kayak, an adjustable rail slidably coupled to said stationary rail, and a pedal fixedly coupled to said adjustable rail; a first linkage coupled to said rudder and at least one of said adjustable rail and said pedal of said first pedal assembly; a second linkage coupled to said rudder and at least one of said adjustable rail and said pedal of said second pedal assembly, whereby movement of one said pedal relative to a respective stationary rail causes said rudder to move to one side and movement of another said pedal relative to a respective stationary rail causes said rudder to move to another side; a sensor operatively coupled to said kayak and configured to determine a relative speed of said kayak; a processor in data communication with said sensor and said propeller; wherein said processor is in data communication with said input to establish said desired relative speed of said kayak; programming in said processor that, when executed, causes said sensor to determine a relative speed of said kayak; programming in said processor that, when executed, causes said processor to determine a necessary propeller speed to achieve a desired relative speed of said kayak; programming in said processor that, when executed, causes said processor, to actuate said propeller to rotate at said necessary propeller speed; programming in said processor that, when executed, determines said necessary propeller speed at predetermined time intervals; and wherein said input includes a plurality of settings corresponding to respective desired propeller speeds to operatively actuate said propeller at said respective desired propeller speeds.