Patent ID: 8607724

Claim:
A rudder assembly with a deflectable trailing tab comprising: a rudder structure having a leading edge and a rear coupling edge with a top surface and a bottom surface; a drive shaft rigidly secured to said rudder structure, said drive shaft having a first end securable to said top surface of said rudder structure and a second end extending outward from said bottom surface of said rudder structure; a hollow shaft having a distal end and a proximal end placed about said drive shaft and through said rudder structure, said rudder structure rotatable around said hollow shaft; a base plate having an upper surface rigidly secured to said distal end of said hollow shaft, said base plate including a support pin extending from said upper surface and positioned a predetermined distance from said hollow shaft; a trailing tab having a front coupling edge hingedly secured to said rear coupling edge of said rudder structure and a rear trailing edge with a upper surface and a lower surface, said trailing tab having a drive plate rigidly secured to said lower surface and extending outwardly therefrom, said drive plate including a centrally located slot constructed and arranged to be slidably secured to said support pin on said base plate; wherein rotation of said drive shaft and said rudder structure allows a proportionate deflection of said trailing tab.