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US 12,459,602 B2Granted
Truss-supported ski-borne watercraft
OwnerRichard R. Greerinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A truss-born watercraft supported above at least two, preferably three, planing skis. An outboard motor may be positioned within or above one or more of the skis to provide propulsion. A freight or passenger compartment may be secured and/or supported by the truss members above the water line. As the watercraft hits a cruising speed, skis are lifted above the water level allowing planning of skis and extreme improvement in mobile efficiency.
Claims16
A truss-supported ski-borne watercraft, comprising:
- a. at least one body having a deck and surface;
- b. a first horizontal longitudinal ski set below the at least one body and at least a first vertical truss support member, said first horizontal longitudinal ski supporting a watercraft via a truss comprising:
- i. said first vertical truss support member, and
- ii. a first diagonal support member;
- c. a platform set above a top surface of said first horizontal longitudinal ski, said platform supporting at least a first motor in a motor box;
- d. a second horizontal longitudinal ski below said at least one body, said second horizontal longitudinal ski supporting the at least one body via at least a second vertical truss support member, and a second diagonal support member, said second horizontal longitudinal ski positioned starboard, relative to first horizontal longitudinal ski, and further coupled to said first horizontal longitudinal ski via a truss connecting member, wherein said at least one body is at least partially supported by said truss connecting member;
- e. wherein said first and second horizontal longitudinal skis comprise a height, a thickness and a width, creating a volume, wherein a combined displacement of water from said volume is sufficient to support the at least one body above water when the watercraft is loaded at rest;
- and
- f. a propulsion means for propelling the watercraft, said propulsion means powerful enough to provide lift to raise said first and second horizontal longitudinal skis above a water surface, each of said first and second horizontal longitudinal skis comprising a lower planing surface adapted to mate with the water surface and to support said watercraft and provide for planing against the water surface and wherein when planing, a propeller mechanically coupled to said motor box remains below said lower planing surface.
6 more elements
A truss-supported ski-borne watercraft, comprising:
- a. at least one body having a deck and surface;
- b. a first horizontal longitudinal ski set below the at least one body and at least a first vertical truss support member connecting said at least one body and said first horizontal longitudinal ski, said first horizontal longitudinal ski supporting a watercraft via said first vertical truss support member, said first vertical truss support member and a first diagonal support member comprising a truss;
- c. a second horizontal longitudinal ski set below said at least one body and supporting the watercraft via at least a second vertical truss support member, and a second diagonal support member, said second horizontal longitudinal ski positioned starboard relative to first horizontal longitudinal ski and further coupled to said first horizontal longitudinal ski via a horizontal truss connecting member, wherein said at least one body is at least partially supported by said horizontal truss connecting member;
- d. at least a first motor system, said motor system providing power to a water jet pump positioned to supply forward propulsion to said watercraft via at least one means for propulsion with at least a portion of said propulsion means set below the lower planing surface of said first horizontal longitudinal ski;
- e. wherein said first and second horizontal longitudinal skis comprise a height, a thickness and a width defining a volume, wherein a combined displacement of water from said volume is sufficient to support the at least one body above water when the watercraft is loaded at rest;
- and
- f. a propulsion means for propelling the watercraft, said propulsion means powerful enough to provide enough lift to raise said first and second horizontal longitudinal skis above a right-angled water surface, each of said first and second horizontal longitudinal skis comprising a lower planing surface adapted to mate with the water surface and to support said watercraft and provide for planing against the water surface and wherein when planing, at least a portion of said propulsion means remains below said lower planing surface.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.