Abstract:
This invention can be fitted to a variety of vessels and accommodate a variety of accessories that may require deployment or retraction such as electronic equipment, downrigger or an outboard skeg mechanism as detailed in the preferred embodiment. This invention in it&#39;s preferred embodiment is shown on, but not limited to, the stern of a kayak. It increases the efficiency of linear tracking, allows the handling characteristics of an aquatic vessel to be tuned, and reduces the amount of technical skill required to control the vessel. It can have control linkage to deploy or retract it, can be stowed separate from the vessel, is lightweight, and is easy to assemble and operate.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     Kayak hull design has progressed to target specific handling characteristics that are desirable for the conditions in which it will be used. Prior to this invention there was not an easily adaptable accessory that could change the handling characteristics of a kayak hull that was designed to be very maneuverable.  
         [0002]     Kayaks can have a variety of hull configurations that represent the keel of a traditional boat. A keel that is proud of the hull surface will have better linear tracking, than that of a boat with a smooth bottom. The vessel shown in the preferred embodiment does not have a defined keel, which is a generally longitudinal plane down the midline of the vessel, and is referred to in this writing as the virtual keel.  
         [0003]     A vessel without a defined keel is typically very maneuverable, which also means it doesn&#39;t track in a linear manner very well. For a man powered aquatic vessel to track properly, the same amount of propelling force needs to be applied to the left side as the right side. If one side is favored, there is an amount of latent energy that will need to be released. This manifestation of energy can show itself by having the vessel turning in a direction other than its intended vector. This is wasted energy that could have been channeled in a positive direction. Technical skill and experience are required to make a smooth bottom vessel track in a linear fashion, and to minimize the loss of energy. Furthermore forces that can cause the deviation of a vessel heading include, but are not limited to wind, waves, current, primary propulsion and auxiliary propulsion.  
         [0004]     Prior to this invention a method for changing the handling and tracking characteristics, on a vessel that tracked poorly, was to add an inboard skeg. To install a previously designed retractable skeg into an existing hull takes a fair amount of tools, special materials, and expertise. This can be accomplished by cutting an opening in the stern hull of the kayak, mounting a skeg box that has the pivot mechanism inside, then sealing the box to the raw opening. Keep in mind that once this is mounted in place, it is very difficult to re-align the rigid skeg blade with the virtual keel line. Another inherent problem is that the pivot point is below the surface of the water, which makes the hull vulnerable to leaks. The control linkage then needs to exit through the surface of the deck, and becomes a possible leak as well. A typical kayak with a retractable inboard skeg consumes some of the dry storage available, is very difficult to service while the kayak is in deep water and can be jammed by any small amount of debris, like a pebble from the beach. It can be difficult to resolve a jamming problem, since the mechanism is enclosed inside the hull, and the skeg blade is submersed.  
       PRIOR ART  
       [0005]     The following list is a compilation of searches in the technical field of the invention, which are noted to assist the Patent Examiner.  
                                           Reference: Des.315,772   Date of Patent: Mar. 26, 1991   Patentee:               St. John       Reference: Des.343,437   Date of Patent: Jan. 18, 1994   Patentee:               De Paoli       Reference: 3,352,272   Date of Patent: Nov. 14, 1967   Patentee:               J. H. Brazier       Reference: 3,516,100   Date of Patent: Jun. 23, 1970   Patentee:               R. Ellis       Reference: 3,575,124   Date of Patent: Apr. 13, 1971   Patentee:               Alter       Reference: 3,707,935   Date of Patent: Jan. 2, 1973   Patentee:               Rachie       Reference: 3,728,983   Date of Patent: Apr. 24, 1973   Patentee:               Ingham       Reference: 3,752,105   Date of Patent: Aug. 14, 1973   Patentee:               Hackett       Reference: 3,902,441   Date of Patent: Sep. 2, 1975   Patentee:       Reference: 3,921,561   Date of Patent: Nov. 25, 1975   Patentee:       Reference: 3,946,693   Date of Patent: Mar. 30, 1976   Patentee:               Brown       Reference: 4,008,677   Date of Patent: Feb. 22, 1977   Patentee:               Wordell, Sr.       Reference: 4,211,180   Date of Patent: Jul. 8, 1980   Patentee:               Brooks, Jr.       Reference: 4,320,546   Date of Patent: Mar. 23, 1982   Patentee:               Knox       Reference: 4,326,479   Date of Patent: Apr. 27, 1982   Patentee:               Kawasaki       Reference: 4,789,368   Date of Patent: Dec. 8, 1988   Patentee:       Reference: 4,805,546   Date of Patent: Feb. 21, 1989   Patentee:               Geller et al.       Reference: 4,807,553   Date of Patent: Feb. 28, 1989   Patentee:       Reference: 4,883,436   Date of Patent: Nov. 28, 1989   Patentee:       Reference: 5,235,926   Date of Patent: Aug. 17, 1993   Patentee:               Jones                  
 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     This invention can greatly improve linear tracking, general stability and overall versatility on aquatic vessels.  
         [0007]     The preferred embodiment of the invention also resolves many of the disadvantages associated with previous versions of submerged retractable skeg designs. It does not use any space inside the hull, does not leave any holes in the deck or hull, the skeg blades are easily accessible and replaceable, safety features are designed into it, minimal effort is required to install, assemble and use this invention.  
         [0008]     Safety features include:  
         [0009]     Flexible skeg blades, that pivot to reduce the chance of creating a rigid fulcrum hazard when the skeg blade strikes an obstacle;  
         [0010]     The control line has a safety release knot designed into it, so an operators recovery would not be hindered by the control lines strength, if it were caught on a obstacle;  
         [0011]     The control line anchor locations are away from the normal sweeping path of a paddle stroke, this reduces the chance of an injury due to a person&#39;s hand coming in contact with the hardware during a paddle stroke;  
         [0012]     The shape of said anchors is such that it avoids entanglement with an obstacle;  
         [0013]     An interference with the mount bracket is designed into the hinge bracket to prevent the skeg blades from pivoting too far above the stern deck, which could hinder a recovery effort of an overturned kayak.  
         [0014]     Other aquatic applications could include, but not be limited to, using it on the motor mount of a fisherman&#39;s float tube, an inflatable raft, personal fishing pontoon, boat or on a canoe.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING VIEWS  
       [0015]     Referring to the accompanying drawings which are for illustrative purposes:  
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a port side perspective view of a kayak having the preferred embodiment of the invention mounted on the stern, and in the deployed position.  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a rear elevational view of  FIG. 1 , showing the generally horizontal waterline.  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is the top plan view of the kayak in  FIG. 1 , showing the relationships between the operator&#39;s reach and the inventions control line, while in the retracted position.  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is the port side view of  FIG. 3 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 5  is the top plan view of  FIG. 1 , showing the relationships between the operator&#39;s reach and the inventions control line, and the clearance of the invention at the tip of the stern.  
         [0021]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of  FIG. 5 , showing motion about a generally horizontal axis.  
         [0022]      FIG. 7  is a front elevational view of the actuator linkage.  
         [0023]      FIG. 8  is a side view of  FIG. 7 , showing the coaxial ends.  
         [0024]      FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the hinged bracket.  
         [0025]      FIG. 10  is the port side view of  FIG. 9 .  
         [0026]      FIG. 11  is the front elevational view  FIG. 9 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 12  is an exploded view of the hinged bracket assembly, showing multiple skeg blades.  
         [0028]      FIG. 13  is an enlarged detail view of  FIG. 12 , showing two blades stacked together.  
         [0029]      FIG. 14  is a detail view of the safety knot at the end of the control line.  
         [0030]      FIG. 15  is the front elevational view of the control line anchor.  
         [0031]      FIG. 16  is the mounting base of  FIG. 15 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the starboard side of the mounting bracket.  
         [0033]      FIG. 18  is a top plan view  FIG. 17 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the starboard side of  FIG. 17 , in an alternate embodiment that can be mounted on a generally vertical surface.  
         [0035]      FIG. 20  is a top plan view of the hinged bracket assembly with two accessories, and ready to be stored separately from the complete assembly shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 21  is the port side view of  FIG. 20 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 22  is a port side perspective view of  FIG. 20 .  
         [0038]      FIG. 23  is a top plan view of the hinged bracket assembly, with one accessory.  
         [0039]      FIG. 24  is the port side view of  FIG. 23 .  
         [0040]      FIG. 25  is a port side perspective view of  FIG. 23 .  
         [0041]      FIG. 26  is a port side perspective view of the accessory in  FIG. 23 .  
         [0042]      FIG. 27  is a perspective view of the starboard side of the shipping card for the hinged bracket assembly, ready to be stored separately from the complete assembly shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0043]      FIG. 28  is a top plan view with the hinged assembly and the control mechanism removed.  
         [0044]      FIG. 29  is a port side perspective view of  FIG. 28 .  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0045]     In the drawings, all figures have a number preceded by the word ‘FIG. ’, all components have their own number, and any feature associated with the component has the component number which is then appended with an alphabetical character.  
         [0046]     Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  shows a linear tracking device working assembly  12  mounted onto the stern  10   b  of a kayak  10 , which will be referred to as the vessel from this point on.  
         [0047]     Mount Bracket  1 , direction attention  FIG. 18 , is formed from a man made material rated for outdoor use. Said bracket has a control line guide  1   g , a flange  1   b  with pivot feature  1   d , another flange  1   c  with pivot feature  1   e . Said flanges  1   b  and  1   c  are parallel and pivot features  1   e  are  1   d  coaxial. Other features of Mount Bracket  1  may include hardware mounting features  1   j ,  1   k  and  1   m , a flow relief hole  1   a , and an existing vessel accessory  10   j  clearance hole  1   n . Further details of mount bracket  1  include guide detail  1   h  that avoids having to thread the end of the control line loop  6   d  through the guide  1   g . The actuator seating detail  1   f  is for capturing the actuator leg  2   f  while the invention  12  is in the retracted position, this relationship is best shown in  FIG. 5 . Direction attention to  FIG. 4 , while the hinged bracket  3  is in the retracted position, surface  3   k  rests on an adjustable surface  1   r , which allows the angular relationship between  1   p  and  3   h  to be adjusted for differing vessel stern deck  10   b  configurations. The mount bracket  1 , direction attention  FIG. 17 , can be mounted with the pivot features  1   d  and  1   e  ahead of, or behind, the stern tip  10   e , direction attention  FIG. 6 . Direction attention  FIG. 17 , mount bracket hinge axis features  1   d  and  1   e , are concentric with actuator features  2   a  and  2   b , and are also concentric with, direction attention  FIG. 10 , the hinged accessory bracket pivot feature  3   d  to maintain parallel alignment between the virtual keel  10   g  and the skeg mechanism  4 , while the invention is in the preferred embodiment. Direction attention to  FIG. 19 , said mount bracket has surfaces  1   p  and  1   q  at an angular relationship, which will allow the mount bracket  1  to be mounted on a generally vertical surface, in relation to the generally horizontal waters surface.  
         [0048]     Actuator linkage  2 , direction attention  FIG. 7 , is formed from an outdoor rated material that has a different dimension  2   h  when it is removed from the invention assembly  12 . Direction attention to  FIG. 5 , said linkage  2  is formed in a shape  2   c  that will avoid interference with the tip of a vessel stern  10   e . Direction attention to  FIG. 8 , actuator linkage  2  has two pivot surfaces  2   a  and  2   b  that are coaxial with each other when installed into the inventions assembly  12 , surfaces  2   a  and  2   b  are used as the coaxial link between the mount bracket  1  and the hinged bracket  3 . Surfaces  2   a  and  2   b  remain above the generally horizontal water surface  10   d  best shown in  FIG. 2 . The actuator linkage  2  has a location  2   d  designated for connection of a control line  6 , and more specifically loop  6   d . Direction attention to  FIG. 12 , either pivot surface end  2   e  or  2   g , can be used as a tool to release the grasp of the reusable fastener  8 , by pushing  8   a  which exposes its core stem surface  8   b.    
         [0049]     Hinged bracket  3  is formed from a man made material rated for outdoor use, has a flange  3   b  with pivot feature  3   d , at least one accessory  4  fastening detail  3   p , and can have a flow relief feature  3   a . Direction attention to  FIG. 10 , the hinged bracket  3  flanges  3   b  and  3   c  are offset and parallel to the virtual keel line  10   g , best shown within the preferred embodiment  12  in  FIG. 3 . Said flanges have their pivot feature  3   d  and mounting features  3   p  aligning in a coaxial arrangement, best shown in  FIG. 10 . The skeg blade fastening detail  3   p  is capable of holding multiple skeg blades  4  parallel to each other. Hinged bracket  3  has actuator engagement details  3   e  and  3   f , which bind against the actuator  2  near location  2   f . Said hinged bracket  3  has material removed  3   g  to avoid contact with the vessel stern tip  10   e  throughout its range of motion about the generally horizontal pivot feature  3   d . Hinged bracket  3  also has a relatively small surface area  3   h  to minimize drag while in the deployed position  FIG. 6  of the invention assembly  12 . Hinged bracket  3  may have one or more auxiliary fastener holes  3   m . A mechanical interference between the hinged bracket  3  at surface  3   k  and mount bracket  1  at surface  1   r  will prevent the invention assembly  12  from having a high angle relative to surfaces  3   h  and  1   p , when in the retracted position. Direction attention to  FIG. 4 , this mechanical interference is a safety feature intended to prevent the skeg mechanism  4  surface area  4   j  from hindering the corrective efforts of an over turned vessel  10 .  
         [0050]     The skeg mechanism  4 , direction attention  FIG. 12 , is made from a man made material rated for outdoor use, is durable, flexible and has a uniform thickness. The skeg blade  4  in the invention assembly  12  is shown as a transparent material, but is not limited to having any translucent qualities. The leading edge  4   a  and trailing edge  4   c  of the blade  4  will not hold onto an undesirable obstacle. Upon either said edge coming in contact with an obstacle while in the deployed position  FIG. 6  the skeg blade  4  will cause the rotation of the hinge bracket  3  about the pivot axis  2   b  in directions  4   g  or  4   h . Features of the blade include at least one mechanical fastener location  4   f , an open-ended slot  4   e  connected with pivot alignment hole  4   d . Said blade has a surface  4   b  which is intended as a friction reducer between the mount bracket flange  1   b  and hinged bracket flange  3   b . Said skeg blades  4  can be stacked next to each other  FIG. 13  and allows the vessels handling characteristics to be fine tuned. Said stacking of the skeg blades  4  can not be modified by the operator when they are seated in the vessel  10  cockpit  10   a.    
         [0051]     The control line anchor  5 , direction attention  FIG. 15 , is an optional item to be used with the invention assembly  12 . The anchor  5  and the control line  6  are only required, if the skeg blade  4  needs to be retracted  FIG. 4  while the operator is using the invention  12 . Direction attention to  FIG. 16 , the control line anchor  5  is made from a man made material rated for outdoor use, has a large perimeter dimension  5   b , and at least one smaller dimension  5   c  along its core, to create a feature  5   e  to hold the control line  6 . Said anchor  5  has a feature  5   d  to mechanically fasten it to a surface  10   h  and has no sharp edges  5   a  when installed. Said control line anchor  5  is mounted to the deck of the vessel in the area between the general range of motion limits  10   c  and the general reach limits  10   f  of the operator. If the option of retracting the hinged bracket  3  is chosen, control line anchor  5  is used to accomplish two separate tasks. The first is shown in  FIG. 5  and notes the location for the control line end anchor  5  that receives the control line end loop  6   d  which is tightened around surface  5   e . The second purpose is best shown in  FIG. 4  and details the location of the retracting anchor  5  that sets the retracted position of the control line  6 , to have a tangency relation to surface  5   e , which brings the hinged bracket  3  into the retracted position. More control line anchor  5  locations may be desired to manipulate the control line  6  around an obstacle such as gear strapped to the stern deck  10   b.    
         [0052]     The control line  6 , direction attention  FIG. 14 , is a standard high strength man made cord and is rated for outdoor use. Said control line  6  is a basic reach extender for the operator, intended to manipulate the hinged bracket assembly  3 . Said control line  6  has a safety release loop  6   d  located near each tag end  6   a  and inline knot  6   b . The safety release loop is created by folding the control line  6  forming a 180 degree turn at  6   c , then slide the tight fitting resilient collar  7  over  6   c . This creates a noose that will deform and fail well below the control lines  6  capacity. This is another safety feature to avoid hindering a recovery effort if the control line  6  were to get caught on an undesirable obstacle. This invention is not limited to a soft type of linkage shown, it can have a rigid, or semi rigid linkage system to control the assembly  12 . The soft linkage shown consists of components that are inexpensive, lightweight, and simple to operate and install.  
         [0053]     The fasteners  8  are not original to this invention and are of a reusable type rated for outdoor use.  
         [0054]     The storage block  9 , direction attention  FIG. 21 , is made of a lightweight, buoyant man made material that is rated for outdoor use. Direction attention to  FIG. 11 , said storage block when fitted between the flanges  3   c  and  3   b  of the hinge bracket  3 , holds the skeg blade surface  4   j  parallel to the flange. Direction attention to  FIG. 22 , storage block  9  can hold the actuator  2  in place when this subassembly is stored separate from the invention assembly  12 .  
         [0055]     The vessel  10 , direction attention  FIG. 1 , is not original to this invention, but is shown as a vessel on which the invention assembly  12  is mounted. Features noted are the cockpit  10   a , stern  10   b , the operators general range of motion  10   c , generally horizontal waterline  10   d , the tip of the stern  10   e , the operators general reach  10   f , virtual keel line  10   g , the area  10   h  within reach of the operator while seated in the cockpit  10   a . Said vessel may have an existing accessory  10   j , which is shown to emphasize the mounting brackets  1  versatility. Attention direction to  FIG. 28 , heading deviation forces are generalized by  10   x  and  10   y . In this set of illustrations any aquatic vessel could be substituted for the one shown in the drawing views including, but not limited to, a raft, an inflatable boat, a fisherman&#39;s float tube, a fisherman&#39;s personal pontoon or a boat. In the case of a vessel having a generally vertical surface, perpendicular to the longitudinal keel, the embodiment shown in  FIG. 19  would be used. Also note this device will work as a kite tail, if it is made of lighter weight materials. For a kite tail embodiment the operators&#39; location would be interpreted as the operator being located at the end of a controlling device, and the cockpit will be interpreted as the location for which control is distributed once control is translated to said kite.  
         [0056]     The flexible hinged bracket extension  11 , direction attention  FIG. 23 , is made from a man made material rated for outdoor use, is very flexible, durable and has a uniform thickness. Features of this accessory are that it flexes above the skeg blade trailing edge  4   c  when the invention is in motion in a forward direction. It also utilizes the skeg blade trailing edge  4   c  as a reinforcing rib when a force is applied  11   e  and the outward edge  11   a  and the stiffening detail  11   b  has interference with the skeg blade trailing edge  4   c . Said bracket extension  11  has at least one mechanical fastener location at  11   c  and again at  11   d , and can be assembled with the same reusable fastener  8  shown in  FIG. 12 . The intent of this accessory is to make use of kinetic energy in the surrounding environment such as a river current or a wave, which can translate the force  11   e , into forward motion for the vessel  10 .  
         [0057]     The retractable working assembly of the invention  12 , direction attention  FIG. 1 , is comprised of all of the parts previously mentioned in the preferred embodiment description, and the mounting hardware noted hereafter.  
         [0058]     The adjustable compression fastener  13 , direction attention to  FIG. 5 , is made from a man made material rated for outdoor use. Said fastener is to be used to hold the mount bracket  1 , to the stern of the vessel  10 . Mount bracket  1 , direction attention to  FIG. 18 , has fastener details  1   j  and  1   k  to allow for the adjustment of the linear tracking device  12  to have a parallel relation to the virtual keel line  10   g . Said fastener  13  is also used to mount the control line anchor  5  at feature  5   d  to the vessel.  
         [0059]     The fixed hardware fasteners  14 , direction attention to  FIG. 5 , are made from a man made material rated for outdoor use. Said fastener is to be used to secure the mount bracket  1  into a true position, as to avoid the assembly  12  from getting bumped out of alignment. All of the fastener  13  and  14  mounting holes can be completely weatherproofed.  
         [0060]     The shipping card  15 , direction attention to  FIG. 27 , is made from a man made material rated for outdoor use. Said shipping card, is an alternate embodiment of the storage block  9 , and is intended to hold the skeg blades rigidly, in their desired posture, during storage or during transport. Said shipping card  15  has at least one bend  15   a , and multiple vertical slots  15   b  to capture skeg blade surfaces  4   j.    
         [0061]     The initial installation of this invention is accomplished with common tools and does not require expertise in a given trade. Direction attention  FIG. 5 , the mount bracket  1  must be installed with four fasteners  13 , then it is then adjusted parallel to the keel line  10   g , and finally can be secured in place with fasteners  14 . The hinge bracket  3  and the actuator  2  need to be assembled to the mount bracket  1  aligning coaxial features  1   d ,  2   b  and  3   d . Direction attention  FIG. 5 , the control line end anchor  5  can be located within the seated operators reach  10   f . Direction attention  FIG. 4 , one end of control line  6  at loop  6   d  needs to be connected to the actuator  2  at location  2   d  in order to locate the placement of the control line retracting anchor  5  to be mounted on the vessel  10  within area  10   h . This is also necessary to establish the overall length of the control line  6 , to allow full deployment and retraction.  
         [0062]     Once the initial installation has been completed, the invention  12  can be assembled  FIG. 1  or disassembled  FIG. 29  at any time, in a matter of seconds. The control line anchors  5  and the mount bracket  1  stay attached to the vessel  10 . To accommodate transportation of the vessel, the hinged bracket  3  along with any attached parts, the actuator  2  and the control line  6  can remain assembled as shown in  FIG. 4 , or can be removed and stowed separate, direction attention to  FIG. 22  and  FIG. 27 , from the vessel  10 .  
         [0063]     To separate the hinged bracket  3  and its attached parts, from the preferred embodiment  12  shown in  FIG. 1 , a person must compress the actuator  2  at areas  2   c  best shown in  FIG. 7 . This process reduces the dimension  2   h  and releases the actuator leg  2   f  through features  3   e  and  3   f  of the hinged bracket  3 , best shown in  FIG. 9 . This also releases the actuator  2  from the mount bracket  1  by compressing  2   h  to allow  2   e  and  2   g  through mount bracket  1  features  1   d  and  1   e . All loose parts can then be gathered and handled independent of the vessel  10 .  
         [0064]     Direction attention to  FIG. 28 , heading deviation forces  10   x  or  10   y  can be partially or completely neutralized by the invention  12  shown in  FIG. 1 , and are not limited to wind, waves, current, primary propulsion or secondary propulsion method.  
         [0065]     Direction attention to  FIG. 29 , shows the ability of the mount bracket  1  to avoid any existing hand hold devices  10   j  that may be part of the vessel  10 .  
         [0066]     Direction attention to  FIG. 1 , to use the invention  12  an operator seated in the cockpit  10   a  would propel forward at their leisure until a change in direction is desired. Direction attention to  FIG. 5 , the operator would then reach to the area  10   h  and swipe with their thumb to catch the control line  6  and loop it to the retracting anchor  5  location, best noted in  FIG. 3 . With the hinged bracket  3  in the retracted position  FIG. 4 , the operator can make an aggressive course change. When the operator requires a more linear course, they would then release the control line  6  from the retracting anchor  5  location, which uses gravity to deploy the hinged bracket  3  and any attached skeg blade  4 . The actuator  2  feature  2   d  is visible by the operator seated in the cockpit  10   a , to allow confirmation of the true position of the hinged bracket  3  assembly in regard to it being fully retracted or deployed.