Abstract:
A catamaran-type sailboat with a steering mechanism preferably located at the level of the catamaran deck. This steering mechanism may include a rotatable or generally linearly moveable pad or element. The pad is usually actuated by foot, leaving the users hands free to operate a sail, but it can also be actuated by hand. The movement of the pad is generally simultaneously transferred to rudders at the rear of each catamaran hull by a push-pull cable unit, thereby steering the sailboat. An elastic band attached to the pad keeps the steering mechanism self-centered when not in use. When the user wishes to maneuver the sailboat, he simply moves the pad in the proper direction with his foot or hand.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 60/099,566 filed Sep. 9, 1998. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the construction of sailing vessels and more particularly to manually operable catamaran-type sailboats having rudders manually operated by the user to steer the sailboats. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Catamaran type sailboats are well-known sailing vessels that by definition consist of a horizontal deck mounted on a pair of parallel hulls. The hulls are usually placed on opposite sides of the deck to provide a relatively stable craft. The use of the two hulls, spread apart, reduces the overall weight of the craft, thus increasing the overall speed. 
     The width of each hull is usually very narrow to reduce the amount of drag on the craft, again increasing the speed of the craft. The sails that propel the catamaran usually provide ample power to move the catamaran on any body of water such as a pond, lake, river or ocean. 
     Most catamarans are constructed as a three-piece unit with at least two tubular crossbeams that can be readily assembled by the user just prior to use. These crossbeams connect the two hulls above the waterline and the deck sits between the hulls on the crossbeams. While some larger catamarans are constructed in a unitary fashion, i.e., the deck is permanently fastened to the hulls, most catamarans are recreational vessels that are required to be transported to the place of use on the tops of automobiles, vans and the like. This generally requires the user to assemble the craft when he reaches his destination and then to disassemble the craft when finished. 
     The design of the catamaran permits its user to sit or stand on the deck while manipulating the sail with his hands. Generally, steering is accomplished by maneuvering the sail with the direction of the wind to propel the craft to the desired location. Most catamarans are also equipped with rudders or pivoting hull portions (herein “rudders”) located at the stern of both of the hulls to aid in steering the craft. Generally, when one wished to make a slight maneuver with the catamaran, one merely turns a tiller or control element attached to both rudders to move the rudders in the proper direction. However, when a sharp and sudden turn is required, one must usually properly position the sail with the wind and simultaneously turn the rudders to accomplish a successful sharp turn. This type of turn requires substantial skill in order to do these steps simultaneously. A mistake on the part of the sailor can result in the catamaran flipping over. 
     In order to provide greater stability to the catamaran, another device, namely a daggerboard, centerboard or keel, is placed beneath the middle of each hull where it extends vertically down into the water to help prevent the catamaran from slipping sideways. The daggerboard, centerboard or keel is a long, flat board, which is placed with its broad surface parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hulls of the craft. The daggerboard, centerboard or keels are thus useful in reducing drift induced by the wind and sail interaction. The daggerboard, centerboard, or keels are also helpful in “anchoring” the middle of the catamaran when making sharp turns. Without the centerboard, the catamaran is susceptible to so much lateral movement that the craft cannot be tacked upwind under extreme conditions. 
     It is important to note that catamarans typically utilize fixed rigging with masts tied to both hulls. As a result, catamarans tip to one side when sailed and are frequently sailed with one hull out of the water. This tilted attitude thus requires that each hull be equipped with a rudder and daggerboard, centerboard or keel. 
     Of particular concern are catamarans with rigging that can be adjusted to allow both hulls to remain in the water essentially without tipping to the side, and therefore, only one daggerboard, centerboard or keel between the hulls is required. 
     One of the major drawbacks in prior art catamarans is the difficulty in steering the craft. Generally, on larger sized catamarans, steering requires considerable sailing skills and expertise on the part of the user. This can be a serious drawback to the novice or intermediate sailor who lacks most of these necessary skills. The major problem in steering the catamaran is that the sailor usually has to use both hands to work the sail yet needs another hand to turn the tiller. On larger sized catamarans, the sail can be so difficult to manage that two people would be required to maneuver the boat: one to handle the sail and the other to steer the rudder. This can cause obvious problems to the user who wishes to sail alone. 
     The drawbacks in steering the catamaran are heightened if the user wishes to stand on the deck of the catamaran and sail the vessel much like a sailboard. Since a catamaran cannot be steered by shifting body weight and the sail, as can be done with a sailboard, a specific steering mechanism would be needed. Steering a rudder on each hull through a typical tiller or control element would be difficult since the user&#39;s hands would remain on the sail rigging during use. Therefore, another person would have to steer the rudders while the other person holds the sail. Therefore, there is a need for a new device that permits the user to simultaneously turn the rudders while holding the sail. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     While prior art catamaran sailing vessels are generally useful and fun to sail, these vessels have limitations and disadvantages as illustrated above which are serious drawbacks. The present invention has as an objective the elimination of these and other disadvantages by providing an improved steering apparatus or mechanism for operating the rudders. Preferably this steering mechanism can be operated by the user&#39;s foot. While this invention is related to all catamarans, it is of particular advantage to small catamarans that have the capability of rigging that can be tilted to windward thus allowing both hulls to remain in the water at all points of the sail (i.e. upwind, reaching and downwind). Steering that can be foot actuated is advantageous since it allows both hands to remain on the sail apparatus during use. Desirably, the steering mechanism is self centering so that when the rudders are not in use, they remain generally aligned in a front to rear position. The illustrated steering mechanism has a manually movable control element, pad or tiller designed to extend low over the aft surface of the deck where it is accessible to either of the user&#39;s hands or feet. By permitting one&#39;s feet to steer the craft, one can stand on the deck of the catamaran and use both hands in operating the sail assembly. By utilizing a means for maintaining the rudders in their aligned positions when the tiller is not being used, the vessel will sail in a straight course until such time as the user desires to turn the craft. The user can do this by simply moving the tiller with his feet. 
     One form of the present invention uses push-pull cables to connect the tiller or moveable pad with the rudders. A push-pull cable is a semi-rigid cable that slides inside a flexible tube. The ends of the tube are clamped solidly to the vessel at the length desired, while the cable is free to slide within the tube. The cable has a certain amount sticking out either end of the tube. By pushing or pulling the cable, linear motion is transferred from one end of the cable through the tube to the other end of the cable. These push-pull cables attach to the bellcranks on the outboard sides of the rudders. When the moveable pad or tiller is moved by foot or hand to the right, both rudders turn to the left, thereby turning the moving vessel to the left. When the moveable pad or tiller is moved by foot or hand to the left, the rudders turn to the right, thereby turning the moving vessel to the right. An elastic or biasing means, such as a spring or elastic rope or band, is attached to the end of the tiller or moveable pad and is fastened to a hook located on the deck portion of the boat. This elastic means keeps the rudders centered so that they remain in a straight front-to-rear position when no external forces are applied to the tiller or moveable pad. This permits the catamaran to sail in a straight course until the tiller is turned. 
     The push-pull cable actuation eliminates a complicated, multi-link mechanism. This allows the actuation to be very smooth and thereby more sensitive. There is a significant safety advantage also as there are fewer moving linkage parts to fall on then the mechanism is used with a windsurfing type sail and rig or when the catamaran has lifted one hull from the water. 
     The result of using the tiller or moveable pad that hugs the surface of the rear of the deck produces a steering apparatus that can be used by one&#39;s foot in a steering the catamaran. This permits the user to utilize both his hands in operating the sail. 
     The push-pull cables connecting the tiller or moveable pad to the rudder bellcranks provide for a smoother operating, simpler and less expensive mechanism than is typical of the multi-link steering mechanism found on many current production catamarans. It will also be safer for the user who may step or fall on it. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A complete understanding of the present inventions and other advantages and features thereof may be gained from a consideration of the following description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention with a sliding pad referred to a Version 1. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sliding pad mechanism of Version 1 of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective of the low tiller and pad mechanism of another preferred embodiment of the present invention referred to as Version 2. The deck part is partially cut away how the steering mechanism under the deck. 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-section of Version 1 of the present invention showing details of the sliding mechanism. 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-section of Version 2 of the present invention showing details of the tiller and pad mechanism. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective of the rudder and bellcrank mechanism at the aft end of the left hull. This shows the push-pull tube attachment to the hull and the cable attachment to the rudder bellcrank. The rudder and bellcrank mechanism on the right hull is identical except that the bellcrank and push-pull cable assemblies are on the right side of the hull (i.e., just opposite of the left hull). 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a sliding pad mechanism similar to that of Version 1 of FIG. 2, but where there is a single section cable instead of the pair of cables of FIG.  2 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     While the present inventions are susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, the embodiments shown in the drawings will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that it is not the intention to limit the inventions to the particular forms disclosed; but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalencies and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the inventions as expressed in the appended claims. 
     Referring initially to FIG. 1, a catamaran  10  is shown having a deck portion  12  and a par of parallel hulls  14  and  16  attached to the sides of the deck. A mast  18  with a sail  20  is mounted near the bow of the deck. A sliding pad steering mechanism  22  in accordance with Version 1 of the present invention is shown as it is mounted on the aft end of the deck  12 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the advantageous Version 1 sliding pad steering mechanism  22  used in connection with the catamaran is shown. The sliding pad  25  slides in a linear bushing  26  made from a low friction material. The sliding pad  25  has a vertical tab  27  off the rear face to which the universal connections  28  and  29  for the push-pull cables  30  and  31  are attached. The tubes for the push-pull cables  32  and  33  are attached to the crossbeam  34  by brackets  35  and  36 . The centerboard  37  pivots off tabs  38  and  39  that are welded to the crossbeam  34 . A pivot pin or fastening device  40  connects the tabs  38  and  39  to the centerboard  37 . The sliding pad  25  is self-centering due to the action of biasing means in the form of an elastic band  41  pulled through a hole in the tab  27 . The elastic band  41  is tied in a knot while the other end is attached to an eyelet  42  underneath the deck  12 . The sliding pad  25  moves back and forth on the linear bushing  26 , moving the push-pull cables  30  and  31  back and forth with it as the pad  25  is connected by the vertical tab  27  to the cables through the universal connections  28  and  29 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 3, a perspective view of Version 2 of the present invention is shown. It a variation of the deck  12  with a tiller mechanism  43  pivotally mounted to the deck  12 . The deck has been extended aft to incorporate a daggerboard slot  44  in which a typical sailboat daggerboard slides. This replaces the centerboard  37  in Version 1 and tabs  38  and  39 . The tiller mechanism consists of a foot or hand pad  45 , connecting arm  46 , a shaft  47  pivotally mounted through a bushing  48  in the deck part  12 . The lower end of the shaft  47  is connected to a bellcrank  49  that pivots side to side as the pad  45  pivots back and forth on the connecting arm  46 . An elastic cord  41  is tied through a hole in the front of the bellcrank  49 . The other end of the elastic cord is died to an eyelet  42  attached to the underside of the deck  12 . This elastic cord  41  provides a self-centering action to the tiller mechanism  43 . Pivoting the pad  45  back and forth moves the bellcrank  49  in an identical motion thereby moving the push-pull cables  30  and  31  through the universal connections  28  and  29  that are mounted on the bellcrank  49 . 
     The elastic cord  41  in Version 1 and Version 2 keeps the rudders in both steering mechanisms aligned and parallel to the longitudinal axes of the hulls when the steering mechanism is not being moved by the user. 
     FIGS. 4 and 5 are cross sections of Version 1 and Version 2 of the advantageous steering mechanisms and show details of the steering mechanisms. FIG. 4 is Version 1 and FIG. 5 is Version 2. 
     FIG. 4 shows the relationship of the sliding pad  22  to the linear bushing  26  and their overall relationship to the deck part  12 . The relationship of the deck part  12  to the rear crossbeam  34  is also shown. It can be seen that vertical tab  27  off the sliding pad  22  is used as a connecting point for the elastic cord  41  and the push-pull cables  30  and  31  through the universal connections  28  and  29 . 
     FIG. 5 shows the relationship of the tiller mechanism to the deck part  12  and the rear crossbeam  34 . The tiller mechanism consists of a hand or footpad  45 , a connecting arm  46 , a shaft  47 , and a bellcrank  49  to which the universal connections  28  and  29  are attached. These universal connections actuate the push-pull cables  30  and  31 . The elastic cord  41  for self-centering has one end tied through a hole in the bellcrank  49 , the other end is tied to an eyelet  42  on the underside of the deck  12 . The deck part  12  extends past the tiller mechanism  43  to form a slot  44  for the daggerboard. 
     FIG. 6 shows the relationship of the rudder  50  of the left hull to the rudder bellcrank  51 , the push-pull cable  31 , the push-pull tube  33  a mounting bracket  52  and the left hull  16 . Also shown are the rudder shaft  54  and a universal connection  55  for the push-pull cable. The rudder shaft  54  is mounted pivotally through a bushing  53  molded into the rear end of the hull part  16 . Forward or backward linear motion of the push-pull cable  31  pulls or pushes the rear bellcrank  51 ; this in turn rotates the rudder  50  through the rudder shaft  54  around a vertical axis, thus steering the vessel. 
     FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative presently preferred form of the invention. FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 2, except that the cables or cable sections  30 ,  31  are replaced by a single cable section  57 . The cable section  57  extends in sliding relation through an opening or passageway in a connector  56 . The connector  56  is secured to the sliding pad  22  for common side-to-side movement. 
     Thus, the push-pull cable unit that connects to the rudders may be comprised of a single cable or cable section  57 , or a plurality of cables or cable sections  30 ,  31 . 
     In the preferred embodiments the sliding rudder, tiller and rudder parts can be made of a rigid plastic by common molding, vacuum forming roto-molding or fiberglass. The shaft and bellcrank for Version 2, the tiller mechanism, can be made of metal, as also should be the rudder shaft and rudder bellcrank. The push-pull cable system and all its mounting hardware can be purchased at a marine supply store as control cables for powerboats. 
     When the user wants to execute a turn, he merely pushes the tiller or pad in the proper direction. When the tiller or pad is not being used, the elastic band keeps the tiller of pad aligned with the centerline of the deck. The catamaran will then proceed in a straight course until it is ready to be maneuvered. Thus, this advantageous sliding pad or tiller steering system allows the user to use both hands to control the sail and yet have the option of steering the vessel with his foot when appropriate. 
     Thus, there has been illustrated and described a unique hand or foot steering mechanism for a catamaran type sailboat. This mechanism can take the form of a sliding pad or a pad on a tiller. The movement is transferred to the rudders by push-pull cables attached to the sliding pad or tiller on one end and the rudders on the other. It fulfills all the objects and advantages set forth. It should be understood that many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications will be come apparent to those skilled in the art of after considering this disclosure and accompanying drawings. Therefore, any and all such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the inventions are deemed to be covered by the inventions.