Removable rudder assembly
AssigneeCoast Catamaran Corporation
InventorHobart L. Alter
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A removable rudder assembly for a boat includes a generally key-hole shaped rudder lock member which is adapted to fit into a key-hole shaped slot in the keel of the boat adjacent the stern. A rudder shaft extends through the rudder lock member, and a rudder is mounted on the rudder shaft. A tiller is removably attached to the upper end of the rudder shaft. The rudder assembly is removed from the boat by detaching the tiller, removing the rudder lock member from the slot, and withdrawing the shaft rearwardly from the slot.
Claims10
A removable rudder assembly for a boat having a hull with a slot extending forwardly from the stern of the boat, the slot having an open rear end at the stern, the rudder assembly comprising a rudder lock member adapted to fit into said slot, a rudder shaft extending through an opening in said rudder lock member and being pivotable therein, a rudder attached to the lower end of the rudder shaft, and a tiller attached to the upper end of the rudder shaft, whereby the rudder and the rudder shaft can be removed from the boat by removing the rudder lock member from the slot and moving the rudder shaft rearwardly within the slot through the open rear end of the slot.
In a boat having a keel, a stern, and a deck, the keel having a slot extending forwardly from the stern, the slot having an open rear end at the stern and having a pair of generally parallel side wall portions extending forwardly from the stern and a cylindrical forward portion, the diameter of the cylindrical portion being greater than the distance between said side wall portions whereby said slot has a generally key-hole shape, a removable rudder assembly comprising:
- (a) a rudder lock member having a forward portion having a generally circular outer periphery received in the cylindrical portion of the slot and a rearwardly extending portion having a pair of generally parallel side walls which are received between the side wall portions of the slot,
- (b) a rudder shaft extending through an opening in the forward portion of the rudder lock member and being pivotable therein,
- (c) a rudder attached to the lower end of the rudder shaft, and
- (d) a tiller positioned above the deck of the boat and being attached to the rudder shaft through an opening in the deck, whereby the rudder and the rudder shaft can be removed from the boat by removing the rudder lock member from the slot and moving the rudder shaft rearwardly within the slot through the open rear end of the slot.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.