Bow thruster
OwnerFrank Roestenberginventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pivotal bow thruster adapted to be adjustably pivoted about a stem of a boat, which enhances attainment of smooth, safe docking of the boat, with better control, and minimal difficulty. The bow thruster comprises two propellers which, when spinning, thrust the bow of the boat to starboard or to port, and a mechanism for pivoting the propellers about the stem of the boat. This pivoting mechanism comprises a pivoting arm coupled to the propeller unit and a gear train which, when activated, rotates the pivoting arm.
Claims22
A pivotal bow thruster, adapted to be adjustably situated with respect to a stem of a boat, comprising
- means for thrusting the bow substantially to port or to starboard, comprising
- tow propellers,
- means for actuating spinning of said propellers, and
- a support for said propellers, and
- means for pivoting said thruster about the stem of the boat, comprising
- a pivoting arm engaged with said propeller support,
- means for actuating pivoting of said pivoting arm,
- a gear train engaged with said pivoting arm and with said pivoting actuating means, and
- a support adapted to be mounted on the stem of the boat and supporting said pivoting actuating means,
- wherein said support for said pivoting actuating means comprises a substantially V-shaped seat adapted to snugly seat against the stem of the boat and having laterally adjustable seat portions for varying of an angle therebetween.
A pivotal bow thruster adapted to be adjustably situated with respect to a stem of a boat, comprising
- means for thrusting the bow substantially to port or to starboard, comprising
- two propellers,
- means for actuating spinning of said propellers, and
- a support for said propellers, and
- means for pivoting said thruster about the stem of the boat, comprising
- a pivoting arm engaged with said propeller support,
- means for actuating pivoting of said pivoting arm, and
- a gear train engaged with said pivoting arm and with said pivoting actuating means,
- wherein said gear train comprises
- at least one gear affixed to said pivoting arm such that rotation of said at least one gear also rotates said pivoting arm, and
- a worm gear engaged with said pivoting actuating means and with said at least one gear affixed to said pivoting arm, such that rotation of said worm gear about an axis thereof by said pivoting actuating means in turn rotates said at least one gear affixed to said pivoting arm,
- wherein said gear train additionally comprises
- an intermediate gear engaged with said worm gear and with said gear affixed to said pivoting arm, wherein
- said intermediate gear comprises a portion of larger diameter engaged with said worm gear, and a portion of smaller diameter engaged with said gear affixed to said pivoting arm,
- additionally comprising
- a housing encompassing said pivoting actuating means, said worm gear, and said larger diameter intermediate gear portion, and
- wherein said housing for said pivoting actuating means comprises a substantailly V-shaped seat, adapted to snugly seat against the stem of the boat.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.