Abstract:
A rudder mechanism for use upon a sailboat is capable of being raised or lowered at the discretion of the boater using a single connected cable operating system, so that the system may be called a “one-pull” system for both raising and for lowering the rudder. The rudder is preferably pivotal, using the cable operating system, greater than 90 degrees, and more preferably, about 180 degrees. A self-contained gas cylinder may aid in the raising and lowering operation and to dampen and smooth the vertical, pivotal movement of the rudder. The cylinder also may be utilized to retain the rudder in a raised or lowered position, once the boater/sailor has purposely placed the rudder in that position, and to return the rudder to the fully-lowered position after grounding has temporarily “kicked-up” the rudder.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the priority date of the provisional application entitled “Sailboat Rudder” filed by Joel F. Santarone on Nov. 3, 2006 with application Ser. No. 60/856,418. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to rudder and steering systems for water-born vessels and more particularly to rudder systems for sailboats, wherein the rudder is capable of being raised to a stowed position or lowered to a steering position as required. The preferred embodiment relates to transom-mounted (externally mounted), sailboat “kick-up” rudders that allow upward pivoting of a rudder upon grounding, to help protect the rudder and boat from damage. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Sailing technology has existed for millennia and there are numerous variations on sailboat rudders. More specifically, there exist numerous sailboat rudders that are retractable in nature. 
   Retractable rudders are useful for passing a boat through shallow water in order to prevent the rudder from running aground and being damaged. Alternatively, if a rudder is retractable and it accidentally strikes a surface under water, the rudder may release upward from the downward position so that it is not damaged. Retractable rudders also enable the operator of the craft to lift the rudder from under the stern in order to place the boat on a trailer. 
   Often the design of such retractable rudders requires that the rudder be attached to a rope or other retraction means for manually retracting the rudder. In order to retract the rudder, the rope must be pulled and the rudder lifted from the water. This type of design is problematic for a number of reasons. The first reason being that the rudders are usually heavy and require significant strength and attention from the operator or crew of the sailboat to retract the rudder. Retracting the rudder may distract the operator or crew of the boat from other important duties or events occurring in the craft. A second reason that a conventional retractable rudder is problematic is that once the rudder is retracted it must be tied off or cleated so that it remains in the retracted position and does not drop back into the water. Cleating a retractable rudder takes additional time, effort, and attention of the operator or crew of the boat. Additionally, if a rudder is cleated and an urgent need for control of the craft arises, it takes a significant amount of time and effort to release the rudder back into the water. Due to the often rapid pace of events in a moving sailboat, any time saved may be crucial in preventing catastrophic errors. 
   Other retractable rudders that are known to the art are designed so if the sailboat runs into shallow water or the rudder strikes an underwater object, the rudder will kick up. However, this design may be problematic if the rudder is held by a friction mounting. A friction mounting allows a rudder that strikes an underwater object to yield to the underwater object, but the rudder will remain in a displaced or elevated position above or near the surface of the water. In order to move the rudder back into the water, an operator or crew member on the sailboat must manually push the rudder back into the water. This takes time and strength that may be needed in the craft. Additionally, if the rudder is stuck in an elevated position above or at the surface of the water the sailboat will have little or no control. A second problem may arise if the rudder is extended to the rearward from the transom or stern of the craft. In such a case, an increased amount of force is placed on the rudder mounting and the tiller arm when the rudder is in this position. If the rudder strikes an object or control of the boat is attempted with the rudder extended horizontally on the surface of the water, the force exerted on the rudder mounting may be great enough to tear the mounting from the transom of the sailboat or cause the tiller arm to fracture. Either of these events may cause catastrophic consequences because of loss of control of the sailboat. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to rudder systems used to steer water-born vessels, and more specifically, to rudder systems used on sailboats. 
   The preferred rudder system is designed to be pivotally mounted upon the transom of a vessel and provides a mechanism wherein the rudder may be raised to a secured position or lowered to an employed “steering” position as desired by the boater. The rudder may pivot greater than 90 degrees, and preferably approximately 180 degrees, between the steering position and secured position. The invented mechanism for raising and lowering the rudder may be called a “one-pull” system. A single pull of an uphaul line, such as a cord or cable, may be effective in raising the rudder to the secured position, and a single pull of the same uphaul line may be effective in lowering the rudder to the steering position. A pneumatic/gas cylinder or “strut” may be used to dampen the rudder movement between the steering and secured positions, may assist in raising and lowering the rudder, and may help retain the rudder in the desired position once the rudder has been raised or lowered. 
   The aforementioned rudder system is preferably constructed of suitably strong, lightweight, corrosion resistant, waterproof materials such as, but not limited to, plastics (polymers), stainless steel and aluminum. The preferred gas cylinder has a stainless steel housing. 
   The preferred embodiment is comprised of a generally vertical member, said member containing appropriate mounting bearings and fasteners for attachment to the vessel. Upon the lower end of the vertical member, a pivotal mounting structure is provided, wherein the rudder is installed. Protruding forwardly from and perpendicular to the upper end of the vertical member, a tiller bar is provided to rotate the vertical member and rudder to accomplish steering of the vessel. In alternative embodiments, the rudder system may be operatively connected to a steering wheel rather than a tiller bar. 
   To facilitate movement of the rudder from a secured, upright position to a lowered, “employed” or “steering” position, a cable and pulley system and gas cylinder are provided in the preferred embodiment wherein the boater may accomplish the desired movement using just one pull (for each of the lowering and the raising functions) and preferably just one hand. When the rudder is in the lowered, steering position, should the rudder inadvertently strike an underwater object, the aforementioned system allows rotational movement of the rudder sufficient to clear said underwater object, thereby preventing damage to the rudder, the preferred gas cylinder system provides a bias that returns the rudder to the employed position when the rudder is free from the underwater object. 
   The purpose of the foregoing Abstract is to enable the public, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection, the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
   Still other features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description describing preferred embodiments of the invention, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated by carrying out my invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modification in various obvious respects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description of the preferred embodiments are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive in nature. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of one embodiment of the invented rudder system installed on a sailboat, showing in dot-dash lines the rudder pivoting between the raised (“secured” or “up”) position and the lowered (“employed,” “steering,” or “down”) position, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a partial top plan view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , viewed along line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a partial side elevation view of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , illustrating the rudder in the raised position and illustrating, in more detail, one embodiment of the invented “one-pull” system. 
       FIG. 4  is a partial side elevation view of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3 , illustrating the position of the components of the preferred “one-pull” system upon fully-lowering the rudder. 
       FIG. 5  is a partial side elevation view according to a second embodiment of the present invention, which comprises a different location for the gas cylinder. 
       FIG. 6  is a partial side elevation view according to a third embodiment of the present invention, which does not comprise a gas cylinder as part of the raising and lowering system. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims. 
   Until now, the boat industry has seen a long and unresolved need for a retractable rudder system that allows the operator of a boat to raise and lower a rudder with minimal effort and ease, while also allowing the rudder to have a security mechanism that allows the rudder to yield to underwater obstructions. 
   The present invention is a retractable sailboat rudder that is moveable from the up or secured position to the down or employed position or from the down to the up position with minimal effort. This functionality is accomplished by an uphaul line and pulley system coupled with a gas filled cylinder (“compressible resistance member”). The uphaul line is pulled to initiate both the upward and the downward movement, thereby improving the ease and simplicity of use over prior designs. Additionally, the gas filled cylinder both assists in the raising and lowering of the rudder and allows the rudder to yield to underwater obstructions that the rudder might strike while the boat is in motion. This functionality allows the rudder to raise as it contacts the object and automatically return to the steering position once the boat has passed the object. 
   In the following description and in the figures, like elements are identified with like reference numerals. The use of “or” indicates a non-exclusive alternative without limitation unless otherwise noted. The use of “including” means “including, but not limited to,” unless otherwise noted. 
   Referring to the Figures, there are shown several, but not the only, embodiments of the invented rudder system used to steer a boat while underway upon water. The rudder system may be used on a boat during motor and/or sail and/or drifting, and may be adapted for use with a tiller arm and/or a steering wheel. Preferably, the invented rudder system is a transom-mounted system, but other mounting, construction, and installation systems may be used. 
     FIGS. 1-6  illustrate three embodiments being lowered from a generally vertical raised position (for storage, securement during travel on a trailer over the road, or other reasons when the rudder is not in use) to a fully-lowered employed (again generally vertical) position. In  FIG. 1 , the uphaul line (“cable”) and handle are resting on top of the tiller arm.  FIG. 1  also illustrates multiple rudder positions during “one-pull” raising or lowering of the rudder.  FIG. 3  shows the rudder in a fully raised or up position.  FIGS. 4-6  show the rudder in the fully-lowered or down position. 
     FIG. 5  illustrates another embodiment, wherein this embodiment have a cylinder/strut connected to the rear edge of the post and to the edge of the rudder.  FIG. 5  shows the rudder in the fully-lowered position, and show the strut in an extended condition. 
     FIG. 6  illustrates yet another embodiment being raised, wherein this embodiment does not use a cylinder/strut, and the raising and lowering of the rudder is done entirely by the force of the cable and pulley system. This embodiment is very similar to that in  FIG. 6 . 
     FIGS. 1-6  illustrate the “rudder head” (“one or more rudder brackets”), which may be extendible to different lengths by a telescoping or other system, and which may be mounted by simple, pivotal means to the transom. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , it will be observed that the preferred rudder mechanism  10  is comprised generally of rudder  12 , rudderpost  14  and tiller bar  16 . Rudderpost  14  has, preferably permanently affixed upon its forward, vertical surface, mounting bearings  18  and  20  and associated fasteners, these being used to mount and secure the rudder system  10  to the transom T of boat B. Mounting bearings  18  and  20  can also be bearings in the boat hull and deck, through which the rudderposts extends. When rudder system  10  is so installed, the mounting fasteners are adjusted so that rudderpost  14  may rotate to the right or left with respect to transom T. (See  FIG. 2 ). Mounted at the upper end  22  of rudderpost  14  and extending forwardly from and generally perpendicular to rudderpost  14  is tiller bar  16 , used by the boater/sailor to rotate rudder system  10  to the right or left, thereby steering the boat to port or starboard while underway. Some boats may have a vertical transom, others may have an undercut or an overhanging transom, and the rudderpost generally is parallel to the transom of the boat. At the lower end  24  of rudderpost  14  are permanently mounted rudder brackets (“rudder head”)  28  and  30 , extending rearward from and perpendicular to rudderpost  14 . Brackets  28  and  30  contain pivot holes  32  to correspond with pivot hole  34  in rudder  12 , through which fastener  36  is inserted and secured, thereby pivotally mounting rudder  12  within rudder brackets  28  and  30 . Fastener  36  may be adapted to be allow removal of the rudder for repair or replacement, and may be adapted to be adjustable, for example, adjusting the compression of the rudder brackets  28 ,  30  on the rudder  12  or otherwise adjusting the tightness of the pivotal mounting of the rudder. Thusly mounted, rudder  12  is free to pivot upwardly and downwardly through an arc of greater than 90 degrees, preferably 160 -200 degrees, and most preferably 180 degrees. Force exerted by the boater upon the uphaul line (“cable”)  38 , passing through pulley  40  affixed to rudder  12  with stud (“fastener”)  41 , is applied to raise or lower rudder  12 . Pulley  40  is free to pivot about the outer end of stud  41 . Cable  38  is fixed/immovable at its lower end  42  to rudderpost  14 . Rudder  12 , at its pivotal end (“first end”), contains within its edge portion, slot  13  to aid in maintaining alignment between cable  38  and rudder  12 . Cable  38 , at its upper end  44 , passes through aligning eye  46 , which is affixed to the upper end  22  of rudderpost  14 . Also at upper end  44  of cable  38  is affixed handle  48 , this being used by the boater to attain a firm grip upon cable  38  when it is desired that rudder  12  be pivoted. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , it will be seen that, mounted parallel to the vertical center plane of rudderpost  14  is gas cylinder (“compressible resistance member”)  50 , secured pivotally at its upper end (“first end”)  52  to rudder post  14 , and at its lower end (“second end”)  54  within slot (“arched slot”)  56  in bracket  28  and pivotally secured to rudder  12  near the top end (“first end”) of rudder  12  and near a first edge of the rudder  12  (said first edge being the inner, front edge of the rudder when the rudder is in the raised position, as in  FIG. 3 ). There gas cylinder  50 , therefore, is generally in a plane parallel to, but offset to one side of the plane of the rudder. 
   Operation of the rudder system  10  will now be discussed, beginning with the rudder  12  in the upright, secured position. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 3 , it will be noted that the lower end  54  of gas cylinder  50  resides at end  56 A(“first lower slot position”) of slot  56 , specifically, with lower end  54  or, more typically, the fastener (“connection piece”) that connects the end  54  to the rudder, extending through the slot for connection to the rudder. Besides a gas cylinder, the compressible resistance member can be a gas filled cylinders, a piston, springs, compressible struts, or compressible elongate elastic material, or other compressible structures. 
   The force exerted downwardly by the pressure within gas cylinder  50  while in this position, indicated by arrow F 1 , tends to keep rudder  12  in the upright position. When the boater desires to lower the rudder  12 , cable  38  at handle  48  is grasped and pulled toward the forward end of the boat. When sufficient force through cable  38  is exerted by the boater, indicated by arrow F 2  (and which is applied by the cable  38  being pulled forward on the boat in view of the cable  38  changing directions via eye  46 ), the force F 1  exerted by gas cylinder  50  is overcome. Force F 2  acts upon pulley  40  affixed to rudder  12  with stud  41 , in view of end  42  of cable  38  being fixed to rudderpost  14 , to pivot the rudder outward. 
   As Force F 2  pivots the rudder outward, lower end  54  of gas cylinder  50  then begins to move upwardly and rearwardly, sliding within slot  56 , and rudder  12  rotates rearwardly and downwardly. Upon continued force F 2 , still exerted by the boater pulling forward on the handle  48 , lower end  54  of gas cylinder  50  rotates through approximately 90 degrees of arc in slot  56 , rudder  12  rotating a corresponding 90 degrees. Through this position, the gas cylinder  50  is being shortened, and Force F 1  is working against the boater pulling on the handle/cable, but Force F 2  overcomes F 1  with the assistance of the pulley. Note that pulley  40 , in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , because of its attachment point on the rudder, is below the cable attachment point (at  42 ) on rudderpost  14 . Also, the rudderpost and cable may be adapted to adjust the attachment point for end  42  (raise or lower the attachment point on the post) to fit different rudders and to fit different users. Note also that the pulley is moveable during its use in the preferred system, and it moves generally upwards from its position in  FIG. 3  as the cable  38  is pulled, or upwards from its position in  FIG. 4  as the cable is pulled. Pulley  40  may be considered a moveable (Class 2) pulley, and offers a 2:1 force advantage; this has been found to be effective for raising many rudders, for example, those weighing about 20 pounds. Alternative pulley systems, including more than one pulley, may be used, but the simplicity of a single, moveable pulley is preferred. 
   Upon reaching the zenith (“intermediate zenith slot position”) of slot  56  at approximately 90 degrees of rotation, the lower end  54  of gas cylinder  50  begins to travel downwardly in slot  56  (lengthening as it travels through the left half of the slot  56  in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) and gas cylinder  50  once again is able to apply downward force, indicated by arrow F 3 , upon lower end  54 , whereupon lower end  54  is stopped at end (“second lower slot position”)  56 B of slot  56 . Rudder  12  has now rotated through 180 degrees of arc, coming to rest at the lowered, steering position. The force F 3  exerted by gas cylinder  50  tends to keep rudder  12  in the lowered position. It will be noted from  FIG. 4  that a portion of cable  38  now resides in slot  13 , thereby tending to keep cable  38  aligned with rudder  12 . 
   While the boat is underway, should the rudder strike an underwater object such as rocks or a sand bar, the rudder  12  is free to rotate upwardly to clear said object, thereby preventing rudder damage. Upon clearing said object, the rudder  12  will automatically return to the fully lowered steering position, as it is biased into this position by the gas cylinder. 
   When the boater desires to return the rudder  12  to the upright, secured position, force is exerted by the boater forwardly through handle  48  and cable  38 , thereby overcoming force exerted by gas cylinder  50  at F 3 . Lower end  54  of gas cylinder  50  begins travel upwardly and forwardly in slot  56  and rudder  12  begins rotation upwardly and forwardly. Having traveled through 180 degrees of arc (generally in the reverse of the description above) rudder  12  now resides in the up position and lower end  54  of gas cylinder  50  comes to rest at end  56 A of slot  56 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
   Thus, in both the lowering and raising of the rudder, the same cable  38  pulled the same direction is used to overcome the forces of the gas cylinder and/or the rudder weight, but once the gas cylinder lower end has moved over the “crest” of its rotation, it assists with the rudder movement into the desired position. Further, the gas cylinder provides a dampening effect, because of its bias (F 1  and F 3 ) so that the rudder movement is made smoother and does not tend to “slam” into either position. Alternative biasing means may be used, such as other cylinders or struts, springs, or elongated elastic members, but the gas cylinder is preferred because of its consistency of operation, its aesthetics, and its durability. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a second embodiment of the invented rudder system is shown wherein compressible strut  58  may be used interchangeably with gas cylinder  50  and is mounted so that its centerline lies in the same plane as that of rudderpost  14  and rudder  12 . Bracket  60  is provided upon rudderpost  14  to pivotally mount upper end (“first end”)  52  of gas cylinder  50 . Lower end (“second end”)  54  is pivotally mounted upon stud (“fastener”)  41  utilizing the same fastener as that which mounts pulley  40 , so that the lower end  54  may be mounted to the edge of the rudder (“first edge periphery of the first end of the rudder”) (an outer, upper edge when the rudder is in the full-lowered position). It will be noted that in this embodiment, slot  56  has been removed from bracket  28 , or at least is considered optional, as it is no longer required for movement of the lower end  54 . Operating method and all other components remain substantially the same as those in the preferred embodiment, with the exception that, when the rudder is moving into the raised position, the lower end  54  moves close to the rudderpost  14  and, in effect, becomes hidden along with the pulley between the rudder edge and the post. This embodiment may be less preferred, because there may tend to some interference between the gas cylinder and the cable during raising or lowering of the rudder. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a third embodiment of the invented rudder system is shown wherein a gas cylinder is not used and completely manual manipulation of cable  38  is used to raise and lower rudder  12 . This embodiment may certainly be effective, depending, for example, on the size and weight of the rudder and the characteristics of the mounting of the rudder in the rudder head (brackets  28  and  30 ). Operating method and all other components remain the same as those in the preferred embodiment, except that the gas cylinder is not available to assist as described above for the first and second embodiment. 
   Preferred embodiments of the invention, therefore, may be described as a system for raising a rudder more than 90 degrees from its employed position, and preferably approximately 180 degrees. The system for raising and lowered the rudder may be a one-pull, single line system, which does not require separate lines/cables for raising and for lowering the rudder. The preferred system utilizes a pulley and cable properly placed so that, when the rudder is already raised, pulling on the cable pivots the rudder outward and downward, and so that, when the rudder is already lowered, pulling on the same cable preferably in the same direction pivots the rudder upward and inward. This provides and comfortable, easy to operate, and one may even say elegant, apparatus and method of controlling the level and position of the rudder. Further, in transom-mounted embodiments, the post and its system for connection to the boat may be easily adapted for different sizes, styles, and types of boats. 
   The preferred embodiments may be described as a manually-raised and manually-lowered rudder system, which preferably includes a cylinder (piston) but most preferably only a self-contained cylinder/piston (rather than one that is powered or controlled by a separate fluid, gas, or other actuation system). The simple and effective one-pull cable/pulley system preferably utilizes a single cable and a single pulley, so that a single cable extends from a handle, around a single pulley, and then to an anchor point. This may be differentiated from a complex cable system, with multiple cables and multiple cable portions extending many different directions and/or having multiple handles. 
   Although this invention has been described above with reference to particular means, materials, and embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed particulars, but extends instead to all equivalents within the scope of the Description, Drawings, and Photographs. 
   The exemplary embodiments shown in the figures and described above illustrate but do not limit the invention. It should be understood that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed; rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims. While there is shown and described the present preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that this invention is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of the following claims. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.