Multi-hull steering system
OwnerBernd Heinrichinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A multi-hull craft steering system having a plurality of hulls made from flexible envelopes inflated to maintain buoyancy. One of the hulls is located between the remaining hulls and is pivotally mounted for controlling the angular variation in azimuth. The hull is located ahead of the remaining hulls to permit rotation without interference. The hulls have a variable track wherein the distance between the outer hulls may be selected and locked. The craft is provided with a means for angularly rotating the outer hulls with respect to the longitudinal axis of the craft to permit first working position and a second stowed position.
Claims6
A multi-hull craft steering system comprising:
- a frame member;
- a plurality of hulls each constructed from flexible envelopes pneumatically inflated to obtain buoyancy, said hulls being supported by a trunion mounted to said frame member, each of said trunions having a hollow body enveloping one of said flexible envelopes near a mid-region of said envelopes, the upper surface of each of said hollow bodies extending longitudinally to a greater extent than the remainder of said bodies, wherein one of said hulls is a middle steering hull pivotally mounted for controlled angular variation in azimuth, said middle hull located ahead of the remaining hulls to at least an extent sufficient to permit rotation of said middle hull to avoid interference with the bows of the remaining hulls during such angular variation whereby said craft is steered;
- said outer hulls having a variable track therebetween, whereby said hulls are selectivley locatable in a discrete number of locations;
- a locking means for maintaining said hulls at one of said locations;
- and
- means for angularly rotating the outer hulls away from the longitudinal axis of said craft about a hinge means connected to said frame from a first working position to a second stowed position, said stowed position permitting transportation and storage of said craft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.