Wake control device for boat
AssigneePivotal Designs Inc.
InventorsThomas C. Earl, Jr., Joseph Zsido
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A wake control device for a boat, including a mounting member pivotally securable to the boat aft for pivoting about a first axis substantially transverse to the boat aft, a rudder member secured to the mounting member for pivoting about a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis, a drive selectively controlling the pivotal position of the mounting member about the first axis, and a fin extending laterally relative to the rudder member. Such a wake control device, with or without pivoting about the second axis, may also be secured directly to an outboard drive as well. A control manually operable by a wake boarder while being towed remotely controls the pivotal position controlling drive.
Claims31
A device for selectively controlling the wake of a boat for a skier or wake boarder being pulled, said boat having an aft and being propelled by a water propulsion device generating a water stream, said device comprising:
- a mounting member pivotally securable to the boat aft for pivoting about a first axis substantially transverse to the boat aft;
- a rudder member secured to said mounting member for freely pivoting about a second axis substantially perpendicular to said first axis;
- a drive selectively controlling the pivotal position of the mounting member about the first axis;
- a fin extending laterally relative to said rudder member and being disposed in said water stream when controlling said wake.
A wake control device in combination with a boat having an aft, comprising:
- a mounting member pivotally securable to the boat aft for pivoting about a first axis substantially transverse to the boat aft;
- a rudder member secured to said mounting member for freely pivoting about a second axis substantially perpendicular to said first axis;
- a drive selectively controlling the pivotal position of the mounting member about the first axis;
- a fin extending laterally relative to said rudder member;
- and
- a water propulsion drive generating a water stream, wherein said second axis extends through said water stream;
- wherein said water propulsion drive comprises an inboard motor on said boat.
A wake control device in combination with a boat having an aft, comprising:
- a mounting member pivotally securable to the boat aft for pivoting about a first axis substantially transverse to the boat aft;
- a rudder member secured to said mounting member for freely pivoting about a second axis substantially perpendicular to said first axis;
- a drive selectively controlling the pivotal position of the mounting member about the first axis;
- a fin extending laterally relative to said rudder member;
- and
- a water propulsion drive generating a water stream, wherein said second axis extends through said water stream;
- wherein said fin is positioned in said water stream.
A wake control device in combination with a boat having an aft, comprising:
- a mounting member pivotally securable to the boat aft for pivoting about a first axis substantially transverse to the boat aft;
- a rudder member secured to said mounting member for pivoting about a second axis substantially perpendicular to said first axis;
- a drive selectively controlling the pivotal position of the mounting member about the first axis;
- a fin extending laterally relative to said rudder member;
- and
- a water propulsion drive generating a water stream, wherein said second axis extends through said water stream;
- a controller for said pivotal position controlling drive;
- a tow rope secured to said boat at one end and having a securement for a skier or wake boarder remote from said one end;
- and
- a manually operable control for said controller located at said tow rope securement.
A wake control device for a boat propelled by an outboard drive having a propeller drive rotating about a propeller axis, said device comprising:
- a rudder member securable to a position spaced behind the outboard drive, said rudder member being pivotable about a lateral axis relative to the out-board drive when secured thereto, said lateral axis being substantially transverse to the outboard drive and perpendicular to said propeller axis, said rudder member further being freely pivotable about a second axis substantially perpendicular to said lateral axis;
- a drive selectively controlling the pivotal position of the rudder member about the first axis;
- a fin extending laterally relative to said rudder member and defining a surface substantially aligned with said propeller axis when in a normal position.
A wake control device for a boat propelled by an outboard drive having a propeller drive rotating about a propeller axis, said device comprising:
- a rudder member securable to a position spaced behind the outboard drive, said rudder member being pivotable about a lateral axis relative to the out-board drive when secured thereto, said lateral axis being substantially transverse to the outboard drive and perpendicular to said propeller axis;
- a drive selectively controlling the pivotal position of the rudder member about the lateral axis;
- a fin extending laterally relative to said rudder member and defining a surface substantially aligned with said propeller axis;
- wherein said rudder member is also pivotable about a second axis substantially perpendicular to said lateral axis.
A wake control device and an outboard drive having a propeller drive rotating about a propeller axis to generate a water stream for propelling a boat, comprising:
- a rudder member securable to a position spaced behind the outboard drive, said rudder member being pivotable about a first axis relative to the outboard drive when secured thereto, said first axis being substantially transverse to the outboard drive and perpendicular to said propeller axis;
- a drive selectively controlling the pivotal position of the rudder member about the first axis;
- a fin extending laterally relative to said rudder member and defining a surface substantially aligned with said propeller axis, said fin being positioned in said water stream;
- a controller for said pivotal position controlling drive;
- and
- a remote control for said controller, said remote control being manually operable by a skier or wake boarder remote from the boat.
A wake control device for a boat propelled by an outboard drive having a propeller drive rotating about a propeller axis, said device comprising:
- a rudder member securable to a position spaced behind the outboard drive, said rudder member being pivotable about a first axis relative to the outboard drive when secured thereto, said first axis being substantially transverse to the outboard drive and perpendicular to said propeller axis;
- a drive selectively controlling the pivotal position of the rudder member about the first axis;
- a fin extending laterally relative to said rudder member and defining a surface substantially aligned with said propeller axis;
- wherein said fin is curved upwardly on opposite lateral ends and centered on said rudder member.
A wake control device for a boat propelled by an outboard drive having a propeller drive rotating about a propeller axis, comprising:
- a rudder member securable to a position spaced behind the outboard drive, said rudder member being pivotable about a first relative to the outboard drive when secured thereto, said first being substantially transverse to the outboard drive and perpendicular to said propeller axis;
- a drive selectively controlling the pivotal position of the rudder member about the first axis;
- a fin extending laterally relative to said rudder member and defining a surface substantially aligned with said propeller axis;
- wherein said pivotal position controlling drive comprises at least one selectively expandable drive member having one end pivotally securable to the boat aft and the other end pivotally secured to said mounting member, said drive member comprising a first piston and cylinder and a second piston and cylinder, said first and second pistons and cylinders being symmetrically disposed on opposite sides of said mounting member.
A wake control device for a boat propelled by an outboard drive having a propeller drive rotating about a propeller axis, said device comprising:
- a rudder member securable to a position spaced behind the outboard drive, said rudder member being pivotable about a first relative to the outboard drive when secured thereto, said first being substantially transverse to the outboard drive and perpendicular to said propeller axis;
- a drive selectively controlling the pivotal position of the rudder member about the first axis;
- a fin extending laterally relative to said rudder member and defining a surface substantially aligned with said propeller axis, wherein said fin is centered on said rudder member.
A device for controlling the wake of a boat, said boat having an aft and being propelled by a water propulsion device generating a water stream, comprising:
- a wake assisting device securable to the rear of the boat in said water stream;
- a controller for said wake assisting device;
- a manually operable control remotely operable by a skier or wake boarder being pulled by the boat for controlling said controller;
- a tow rope securable to said boat at one end and having a securement for a skier or wake boarder remote from said one end, wherein said manually operable control is located at said securement;
- and
- a wire connection along said tow rope connecting said controller and said manually operable control.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.