GB2086810A

GB2086810A - Boats and accessories therefor

Info

Publication number: GB2086810A
Application number: GB8026946A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1980-08-19
Filing date: 1980-08-19
Publication date: 1982-05-19
Also published as: GB2086810B

Abstract

A shore or leg, accessory for a boat, and a boat including such accessories is provided by the invention in order to prevent the propeller and/or rudder of the boat becoming damaged when the boat settles on the bed of the water under the boat. The accessory comprises an elongate strut with a foot, which may be pivotable, and an operating mechanism for displacing the strut axially so that the foot may be lowered and raised, whereby the foot can be engaged with the bed of the water when strut is in the lower actuated position. Various arrangements of the accessory on a boat are described. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Boats and accessories therefor The present invention relates to boats and to boat accessories.

When a boat is moored or anchored in tidal waters, a problem often arises that some time after mooring or anchoring, the tide goes out and the boat rests on the bed of the shore, river or estuary. While this is less of a difficulty with bilge keel boats, with conventional centre keel boats, two particular problems arise. Firstly, as the boat subsides on the bed, there is a grave danger that the propeller or propellers and/or the rudder can become damaged by fouling hard material, such as an anchor or rock, and can become severely damaged due to subsequent movement as the tide begins to rise. Secondly, if the boat in question still has people on board after mooring, it will be extremely uncomfortable for these people if the boat is pitched over at an angle.

There is now proposed, according to the present invention, an accessory for a boat comprising an elongate body having a foot at one end of the body, a mounting enabling said body to be mounted on a boat, at or adjacent the stern thereof and a operating mechanism for lowering and raising the body, so that the foot can be engaged with the bed of the water on which the boat is floating.

Thus, when one comes to moor or anchor the boat, one operates the mechanism and lowers the body to a location below the hull of the boat so that when the boat sinks onto the bed, as the tide goes out, the foot will hold the boat in such a way that the propeller(s) and rudder will not become fouled and the boat can remain on an even keel.

Preferably the foot is pivotably mounted on the lower end of the body, so that it can incline to accommodate any unevenness on the surface of the bed.

The arrangement can take many forms. For example, the mounting may comprise a tube in which the body is axially slidable, a flange may be provided on the lower end of the tube for securing to the lower surface of the hull, with the tube extending upwardly within the hull. Such an arrangement wouid be a permanent fitting on the boat, which could be applied during the boat building, or subsequently. Preferably an external recess is provided in the flange which is shaped to accommodate, at least in part, the foot, so that the lower surface of the foot can be substantially flush with the lower surface of the hull, so that the movement of the boat, during the raised condition of the body and foot, will not be impaired seriously.

In an alternative construction, the mounting may comprise a sleeve in which the body is axially slidable, and means for mounting the sleeve on, the gunwhale or decking of the boat, so that the sleeve and the elongate body extend over the sides or stern of the boat.

A further possible construction for the mounting is in the form of a pivotably mounted sleeve through which the body is axially slidable, and the operating mechanism includes a lever linkage connected to the body at a location on the body on the side of the sleeve remote from the foot.

The operating mechanism itself may, for example, take the form of a rack on the body engaged by a pinion rotatable by a manually operable handle, by an electric motor or by a hydraulic motor. Alternatively, the operating mechanism may include a fluid pressure operated piston and cylinder arrangement.

In order that the foot may not sink into the bed, it may be extensible in a direction transverse to the length of the elongate body, to increase the effective bearing area of the foot against the bed.

This extensibility may, for example, also be provided by a hydraulic means.

The invention also provides a boat comprising a hull, at least one mounting secured to the hull at or adjacent the stern thereof, an elongate body mounted in the or each mounting, a foot on one end of the or each elongate body and an operating mechanism for lowering and raising the body, so that the foot can be engaged with the bed of the water on which the boat is floating.

Advantageously, there are two mountings and two elongate bodies arranged one on each lateral side of the stern of the boat.

In order that the present invention may more readily be understood, the following description is given, merely by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1,2 and 3 are each schematic rear elevations of three different embodiments of boat according to the present invention, provided with three different forms of accessory; and Figure 4 is a broken away side elevation showing a further construction of accessory.

Referring first to Figure 1, the hull 10 of the boat is shown as having a centre keel 11. Two accessories indicated by the general reference numerals 12 and 13 are mounted adjacent the stern of the boat and fitted into the hull of the boat. The accessories 12 and 13 are substantially identical to one another and like parts have been indicated with like reference numerals. Thus, the accessory 12 has an elongate body 14 having a foot 15 mounted at the lower end thereof by means of a pivot or ball joint 16. The body 14 is axially slidable within a tube 1 7 having a transverse flange 1 8 on the lower end thereof.

The upper part of the elongate member 14 is provided with a rack 19 engageable by a pinion 20. In order to rotate this pinion 20, a wormwheel 21 is provided, which is engageable by a worm 22 which can be rotated via bevel gears 23 and an operating handle 24.

It will be noted that the lower surface of the flange 18 is provided with a recess 25 of a size to accommodate the foot 1 5.

In use of this arrangement, the boat is moored, with the tide at least partly in, and the handle 24 is operated, thereby rotating the bevel gearing 23, and the worm 22, so that the two pairs of pinions 20, 21 are rotated, and the racks 19 and thus the members 14 thereon, are lowered. It is possible to continue to lower these members 1 4 until the feet 1 5 touch the bed. However, in many instances, this will not be necessary, and indeed the bed will be too far below the lowermost position of the feet for this to happen. Once the feet are sufficiently low down, however, as the tide goes out, there will be no chance of damage to the propeller or rudder (not shown). Furthermore the boat will be kept in an upright condition assisting in the comfort of the crew on board the boat.

Figure 2 shows a generally similar arrangement, like parts being indicated by like reference numerals. However, instead of having the rack and pinion arrangement of Figure 1, two piston and cylinder arrangements, of which only the cylinder 30 can be seen, are provided. Member 14 is connected to the piston rod (which is not shown) of the piston and cylinder arrangements.

Connected to each end of each piston are hydraulic lines 31 which in turn are connected to a control valve 32 fed by an hydraulic pump 33 from a reservoir 34. Actuation of the valve 32, therefore, can be arranged so that fluid under pressure is applied to the upper lines 31, so that the pistons are forced downwardly.

When it is desired to sail away again, the member 14, in either the construction of Figure 1 or that of Figure 2, is raised by reversing the operation of the operating mechanism and it will be appreciated that the feet 1 5 can pivot and be accommodated within the recesses 25, so that the lower surface of each foot is substantially flush with the lower surface of the adjacent portion of the hull.

Figure 3 shows a further embodiment which is generally similar to Figure 1 in that the operation is by way of a rack 19 and a pinion 20. However, in this construction, a guide tube 40 is provided so that it can be mounted on the gunwhale or decking of the boat externally of the boat. A drive handle 44 can be arranged to rotate the pinion 20 via gearing 43. In this construction the operation of the members 14 can be carried independently of one another and the member 14 can be raised to the position in which the foot 1 5 takes the position 15a indicated in phantom, where it is preferably above the water line of the boat.

Similarly, the constructions of Figures 1 and 2, if desired, can be operated independently, to take into account any unevenness in the bed.

Figure 4 shows a further arrangement in which the hull is indicated at 50 and the propeller is illustrated schematically at 51. A rudder will also be provided, but this not shown for the sake of clarity. The decking 52 at the rear of the hull is provided with three sets of brackets 53, 54 and 55. Pivotally mounted in bracket 53 is a member carrying a sleeve 56, through which is axially slidable an elongate member 57 having a foot 58 pivotally mounted at the lower end thereof. The upper end of the member 57 is pivotally connected at 59 to a beel crank 60 which in turn is pivotally connected at its lower end to the bracket 54. At the junction of the two arms of the bell crank, a threaded pivotal member 61 is mounted and this has passing therethrough a threaded control rod 62, an unthreaded portion 63 of which passes through a sleeve 64 pivotally mounted on the bracket 55.It will be appreciated that the rotation of the control handle 65, which can be mounted on the rod 63, will cause rotation of this rod, and thereby axial movement therealong of the sleeve 61, and thus pivoting of the bell crank 60, finally to the position illustrated in phantom at 60a. The member 57 will have then taken up the position 57a and the foot 58 the position 58a, so that it can sit on the bed when the tide goes out.

A single control handle 65 could be used to operate two such bell cranks and elongate member arrangements, which could be linked to one another by transverse bars.

While in Figures 1,2 and 3, the tube 1 7 and the body 14 slidable therewith have been shown inclined at a small angle to the vertical, they could, of course, equally be vertical.

It will be appreciated that the accessory can be installed in the boat initially or can be added later.

The provision of the accessory has the advantage of keeping a moored or anchored boat upright when the tide goes out and can be used on centre keel or bilge keel boats. When used on bilge keel fishing craft they make it unnecessary for these to be tied up against a harbour wall.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. An accessory for a boat, comprising, an elongate body, a foot on one end of the body, a mounting enabling said body to be mounted on a boat at or adjacent the stern thereof and an operating mechanism for lowering and raising the body, so that the foot can be engaged with the bed of the water on which the boat is floating. 2. An accessory according to claim 1, wherein the foot is pivotally mounted on the lower end of the body. 3. An accessory according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the mounting comprises a tube in which the body is axially slidable, a flange on the lower end of the tube for securing to the lower surface of the hull with the tube extending upwardly within the hull. 4. An accessory according to claim 3, wherein the flange includes an external recess shaped to accommodate, at least in part, the foot, so that the lower surface of the foot can be substantially flush with the lower surface of the hull. 5. An accessory according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the mounting comprises a sleeve in which the body is axially slidable and means for mounting the sleeve on the gunwhale or decking of the boat, so that the sleeve and the elongate body extend over the sides of the stern of the boat. 6. An accessory according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the mounting comprises a pivotally mounted sleeve through which the body is axially slidable and the operating mechanism includes a lever linkage connected to the body at a location on the body on the side of the sleeve remote from the foot. 7. An accessory according to any preceding claim, wherein the operating mechanism comprises a rack on said body engaged by a pinion, rotatable by a manually operable handle, by an electric motor or by a hydraulic motor. 8. An accessory according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said operating mechanism includes fluid pressure operated piston and cylinder arrangement. 9. An accessory according to any preceding claim, wherein the foot is extensible in a direction transverse to the length of the elongate body to increase the effective bearing area thereof against the bed. 10. An accessory according to claim 8 and claim 9, wherein the foot is extensible by hydraulic means. 11. A boat comprising a hull, at least one mounting secured to the hull at or adjacent the stern thereof, an elongate body mounted in the or each mounting, a foot on one end of the or each elongate body and an operating mechanism for lowering and raising the body, so that the foot can be engaged with the bed of theater on which the boat is floating. 12. A boat according to claim 11, wherein there are two mountings and elongate bodies, one arranged on each lateral side of the stern. 13. A boat according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the or each foot is pivotally mounted on the lower end of the body. 14. A boat according to claim 11, or 13, wherein the or each mounting comprises a tube, in which the body is axially slidable, a flange on the lower end of the tube secured to the lower surface of the hull, with the tube extending upwardly within the hull. 1 5. A boat according to claim 14, wherein the or each flange includes an external recess shaped to accommodate, at least in part, a foot, so that the lower surface of the foot can be substantially flush with the lower surface of the hull. 1 6. A boat according to claim 12, wherein each mounting comprises a sleeve in which the body is axially slidable, the sleeve being mounted on the gunwhale or decking of the boat, so that the sleeve and the elongate body extend over the sides or stern of the boat. 17. A boat according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the or each mounting comprises a pivotably mounted sleeve through which the body is axially slidable and the operating mechanism includes a lever linkage connected to the body at a location on the body on the side of the sleeve remote from the foot. 18. A boat according to any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein the operating mechanism comprises a rack on said body engaged by a pinion rotatable by a manually operable handle, by an electric motor or by an hydraulic motor. 19. A boat according to any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein said operating mechanism includes a fluid pressure operated piston and cylinder arrangement. 20. A boat according to any one of claims 11 to 19, wherein the foot is extensible in a direction transverse to the length of the elongate body to increase the effective bearing area thereof adjacent the bed. 21. A boat according to claim 19 and claim 20, wherein the foot is extensible by hydraulic means. 22. A boat according to claim 12 and any one of claims 1 3 to 18, wherein the elongate bodies share a single foot extending therebetween. 23. An accessory for a boat substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated in any one of Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings. 24. A boat substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated in any one of Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings. New claims or amendments to claims filed on 13.8.81. Superseded claims 1-24. New or amended claims:

1. An accessory for a boat, comprising an elongate body, a foot on one end of the body, a mounting tube in which the body is axially slidable, a flange on the lower end of the tube for securing to the lower surface of the hull of the boat adjacent the stern thereof, with the tube extending upwardly within the hull and an operating mechanism for lowering and raising the body, so that the foot can be engaged with the bed of the water on which the boat is floating.

2. An accessory according to claim 1, wherein the foot is pivotally mounted on the lower end of the body.

3. An accessory according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flange includes an external recess shaped to accommodate, at least in part, the foot, so that the lower surface of the foot can be substantially flush with the lower surface of the hull.

4. An accessory according to claim 1,2 or 3, wherein the operating mechanism comprises a rack on said body engaged by a pinion, rotatable by a manually operable handle, by an electric motor or by a hydraulic motor.

5. An accessory according to claim 1,2 or 3, wherein said operating mechanism includes a fluid pressure operated piston and cylinder arrangement.

6. An accessory according to any preceding claim, wherein the foot is extensible in a direction transverse to the length of the elongate body to increase the effective bearing area thereof against the bed.

7. An accessory according to claim 5 and claim 6, wherein the foot is extensible by hydraulic means.

8. A boat comprising a hull, two mounting tubes secured to the hull adjacent the stern thereof, one arranged on each lateral side of the centre of the boat, a flange on the lower end of the tube secured to the lower surface of the hull, with the tube extending upwardly within the hull, an elongate body mounted in each mounting tube, and an operating mechanism for lowering and raising the body, so that the foot can be engaged with the bed of the water on which the boat is floating.

9. A boat according to claim 8, wherein the or each foot is pivotally mounted on the lower end of the body.

10. A boat according to claim 8 or 9, wherein each flange includes an external recess shaped to accommodate, at least in part, a foot, so that the lower surface of the foot can be substantially flush with the lower surface of the hull.

11. A boat according to any one of claims 8, 9 or 10, wherein the operating mechanism comprises a rack on said body engaged by a pinion rotatable by a manually operable handle, by an electric motor or by an hydraulic motor.

12. A boat according to any one of claims 8, 9 or 10, wherein said operating mechanism includes a fluid pressure operated piston and cylinder arrangement.

13. A boat according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the foot is extensible in a direction transverse to the length of the elongate body to increase the effective bearing area thereof adjacent the bed.

14. A boat according to claim 12 and claim 13, wherein the foot is extensible by hydraulic means.

1 5. An accessory for a boat substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

16. A boat substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.