GB2490717A - A pivoting rigger arrangement for a rowing boat - Google Patents

Abstract

Riggers are used with rowing or sculling boats to provide pivot points for oars. The invention provides an alternative rigger 30 to those typically known in that it comprises two arms 40 and 50 each including a pivoting means 42 and 52 for pivoting each arm between an extended position and a retracted position relative to a boat 10. The rigger also includes locking means for adjustably locking each arm in any desired position at, and between, the extended and retracted positions. The locking means may comprise a clamping means using interlocking teeth (143 and 145, Fig 6) or means for squeezing a ball (345, Fig 8) and socket (343, Fig 8) together to restrict movement therebetween. A boat provided with the rigger is also disclosed.

Description

A rigger The present invention relates generally to a rigger and finds particular, although not exclusive, utility in riggers for fine boats.

Tn this specification, the term fine boats is taken to mean ones with hulls which are substantially semi-circular in section (when viewed along their longitudinal length) such that they are inherently unstable in water. This means that they tend to be only used on inland waters. Fine boats are relatively slender ong and thin -disproportionately so) and are rowed or sculled by one or more people. They can be up to 8 metres in length, or greater. When there is more than one person on board such a fine boat, they sit in a line one behind each other along the longitudinal length of the boat and not with more than one abreast, \vidth-wise. Fine boats are also known as racing shells, or shells, and are often only single-skinned. The oars, or blades, are relatively long (e.g. between approximately 2.8 m and 3.5 m). Riggers are used to maintain the oarlocks (or gates/swivels) away from the boat and comprise of at least two arms extending laterally away from the boat either side.

Each rigger tends to extend somewhere in the region of 75 to 85 cm measured from an imaginary central longitudinal line (of the liull) to the pin at the distal end of the rigger about which the oarlock is rotatable (this distance is known as the "span").

The riggers are often removable to improve storage or transportation of the fine boats. These type of riggers tend to be in one piece (known as "wing riggers") and are affixed by the likes of nuts and bolts to the boat. Other types exist which have separate rigger arms, both of \vhich are also affixed by the likes of nuts and bolts to the boat.

The removal and fitting of riggers is time consuming and increases the risk of damage to the riggers and the boat.

One known system (from a company called Echo Rowing LLC) produces folding riggers. The riggers are approximately triangular in shape with a flat profile.

They are hinged to the side of the boat and may fold inwards to a stowed position, and outwards to an extended position. The type of boats to which these folding riggers are attached are open water leisure/coastal craft with substantially flat bottomed hulls which are therefore relatively stable in water. They are not racing shells.

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Furthermore, the riggers only have two positions, a stowed (retracted) position and an operational (extended) position. In their stowed position the two riggers cross over one another inside the boat.

It is desirable to have an improved rigger.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a rigger for a rowing or sculling boat comprising two arms each including a pivoting means for pivoting each arm between an extended position and a retracted position relative to a boat, the rigger also including locking means for adjustably locking each arm in any desired position at, and between, the extended and retracted positions.

In this way the position of the distal end of each rigger (when not in the stowed position) may be infinitely adjusted relative to the boat. This allows for improved ergonomic performance which is desirable for use with novices and/or people with disabilities @nenta1 and/or physical).

The end of each arm proximal the boat, when in their extended positions, may include a first substantially planar surface rotatable on, and relative to, a second substantially planar surface, a pivot means being provided between each first and second planar surface linking the two and allowing movement of the first planar surface relative to the second planar surface. The pivot means may be an axle or pin.

In this way, the two surfaces may slide over one another. The locking means may comprise a clamping means for squeezing the two surfaces together to restrict sliding therebetween. Alternatively or additionally the locking means may comprise opposing teeth provided on each of the first and second surfaces. Other means are contemplated.

The end of each arm proximal to the boat, when in their extended positions, may include one of a ball and a socket, the other of the ball and socket being arrangeable on a boat, in use, the ball and socket being movable relative to one another.

In this regard the other of the ball and socket may be arranged on, or form, another part of the rigger, or may be integral with, or attached directiy to, the boat.

The locking means may comprise a clamping means for squeezing the ball and socket together to restrict sliding therebetween. Alternatively or additionally the locking means may comprise opposing teeth provided on each of the ball and socket. Other means are contemplated.

Each arm may be unitary without any means for at least partially folding it along its length. This may improve the rigidity and reduce the cost of the riggers.

In the retracted position the longitudinal length of each arm may lie substantially parallel with the longitudinal length of a hull of the boat, in use. The arms may not cross over one another in the retracted/stowed position.

The rigger may be removably attachable to the boat. This may allow repairs and replacements to be undertaken relatively easily. Nuts and bolts, screws and other such fixings may be used to attach it to the boat.

The rigger may include a gate at the end of each arm for receiving an oar or blade. These may be standard type gates which may he bolted on.

Each gate may be removably attachable to the end of each arm.

Each arm may be pivotable about an axis substantially vertical in use.

Alternatively oriented axes are contemplated such as one oriented substantially 45 degrees from the horizontal and across the width of the boat. The axes may not be oriented substantially horizontal and parallel with the longitudinal length of the boat. In this regard the term parallel includes a range of 44 degrees, or 22 degrees, either side of the longitudinal axis of the boat.

Each arm may be pivotable about an axis substantially horizontal in use, the axis being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the boat. In this regard the term perpendicular includes a range of 45 to 135 degrees, or 67 to 113 degrees, from the longitudinal axis of the boat.

The riggers may comprise carbon-fibre.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a boat including a rigger according to the first aspect. The boat may be a fine hulled boat. The boat may include one, two, or three hulls.

The above and other characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. This description is given for the sake of example only, without hmiting the scope of the invention. The reference figures quoted below refer to the attached drawings.

Figure 1 is a plan schematic view of a boat including a first set of riggers in their extended positions; Figure 2 is a partial view of Figure 1 with the riggers in their retracted positions; Figure 3 is a similar view to Figure 2 but with an alternatively arranged set of riggers; Figure 4 is a plan view of a set of riggers; Figure 5 is an elevational view of the riggers in Figure 4; Figure 6 is an elevational partially cut-away view of part of a set of riggers; Figure 7 is an elevational partially cut-away view of part of another set of riggers; Figure 8 is an elevational partially cut-away view of part of a different set of riggers; and Figure 9 is an elevational view of part of yet another set of riggers.

The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.

Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other orientations than described or illustrated herein.

It is to be noticed that the term cccomprising used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It is thus to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components as referred to, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or groups thereof. Thus, the scope of the expression "a device comprising means A and B" should not be limited to devices consisting only of components A and B. It means that xvith respect to the present invention, the only relevant components of the device are A and B. Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may refer to different embodiments.

Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics of any embodiment or aspect of the invention may he combined in any suitable manner, as \vould be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

Similarly it should be appreciated that in the description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamhning the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form yet further embodiments, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth.

However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practised without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of

this description.

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In the discussion of the invention, unless stated to the contrary, the disclosure of alternative values for the upper or lower limit of the permitted range of a parameter, coupled with an indication that one of said values is more highly preferred than the other, is to be construed as an implied statement that each intermediate value of said parameter, lying between the more preferred and the less preferred of said alternatives, is itself preferred to said less preferred value and also to each value lying between said less preferred value and said intermediate value.

The invention will now be described by a detailed description of several embodiments of the invention. It is clear that other embodiments of the invention can be configured according to the knowledge of persons skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit or technical teaching of the invention, the invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

In Figure 1 a fine boat 10 is depicted schematically, having a relatively slender hull 20. A set of riggers 30 comprising two arms 40, 50 are shown, one on each side of the hull 20. They are lockably pivoted to the hull 20 by pivot means 42, 52 respectively.

The ends of the riggers arms 40, 50 proximal the hull 20 meet at a point on an imaginary longitudinally central line of the hull.

The rigger arms 40, 50 are show'n in their extended positions.

Each rigger arm 40, 50 comprises a central substantially rectilinear section with two opposite ends each end being oriented differently to the central section. The ends proximal the hull 20 are oriented at approximately 135 degrees to the length of the central section. The ends 44, 54 distal from the hull 20 are also oriented approximately degrees to the central section, although in the opposite, clockivise, sense (when viewed in plan).

Oarlocks (not shown) may be attached to the distal ends of each arm 40, 50 and be pivoted thereto about an substantially vertical axis.

In use, an oar is placed into each oarlock such that one end of each extends away from the side of the boat 10, one each side. The other end of each oar is held by the rower sitting in the boat 10. The oars (not shown) may therefore he pivoted about the distal ends of each rigger arm 40, 50 in the oarlocks. With an oar (blade) of 2.8m length, 800mm may be in-board of the oarlock.

In Figure 1 the bow is at the top of the tigure and the stern is at the bottom. In use, the rower has the rigger pivot points 42, 52 located behind his/her back such that the distal ends of the rigger arms extend towards the stern from the pivot points. Also, in use, the maximum force applied to the riggers (during the time the distal end of the oar is in the water and being pulled towards the bow) is transmitted generally towards the pivot points 42, 52. This helps to maintain the position of the riggers relative to the hull.

However, it is contemplated that the rigger may be positionable in front of a rower in use. In this possibility the riggers may extend in the opposite direction (i.e. towards the bow) from their pivot points.

Figure 2 shows the rigger arms 40, 50 in the retracted or stowed position. Each arm 40, 50 has been rotated about its respective pivot point 42, 52 such that the distal ends lie above and inside the gunwale (saxboard) of the boat. The substantially rectilinear central section of each arm 40, 50 now lies substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the hull 20.

An alternative arrangement of riggers arms 40, 50 is shown in Figure 3. Here, the ends of the arms proximal the hull 20 are spaced apart as opposed to being substantially immediately adjacent one another as they are in Figures 1 and 2.

This arrangement may result in shorter rigger arms being required which may save space and be more cost effective. Other advantages may result from this arrangement too.

Figure 4 shows a plan view of the rigger arms 40, 50 of Figures 1 and 2. The right hand rigger 40 is sho\vn in two positions. The first position (solid lines) is in the fully extended position. The second position (broken lines) is in the partially retracted position. The arrow referenced "41" sho\vs the direction in which the arms 40 has been moved from the first position.

Figure 5 shows an elevational view (from the stern or bow) of the rigger arms 40, 50 in their fully extended positions. Each arm is pivotable about the axes 42, 52 shown. These axes are substantially vertical in that they are angled away from the vertical by approximately 10 to 30 degrees. The ends of the arms 40, 50 proximal the hull 20 are shown resting on a support 60. The support has an appropriately shaped upper surface for supporting the arms such that they rise from their proximal ends to their distal ends at an angle of approximately 10 degrees above the horizontal. This shaped upper surface has two substantially planar portions which meet in the middle and extend laterally and upwardly away from one another from the middle outwardly.

A central projection 62 is shown extending upwardly from the support 60 and between the proximal ends of the two arms 40, 50. This is approximately triangular in profile such that its two exposed sides rest against the proximal ends of the two arms 40, 50 and support them. It may aid in positioning the two arms in their fully extended positions.

Although not shown, locking means are provided for locking the position of the arms in their fully extended positions. Moreover, the two arms may be locked at any other desired position between their fully extended positions and their fully retracted positions. Such means may comprise opposing and engagable sets of teeth provided on the underside of the proximal end of the arm and on the upper surface of the support 60.

In Figure 6 one way of locking the arms 140, 150 to a boat is shown. The arm on the left includes a set of teeth 145 on the underside of the proximal end which interact with an opposing set of teeth 143 provided on the upper side of the support 160. The arm 140 is pivotable about an axis 142 as before. The axis takes the form of a bolt affixed at one end 144 into the support 160 and extending through the proximal end of the arm 140. The upper end of the bolt includes a knob 146 which may be screwed on and off. As it is screwed off the bolt the arm may be moved slightly away from the support 160 such that the two sets of teeth 143, 145 disengage. The arms may then be rotated about the axis 142 to the desired position. The knob 146 may then be tightened up again such that the two sets of teeth 143, 145 engage. The combination of the engaged teeth and the compressional force of the knob 146 hold the arm in place.

The teeth 145 on the arm 140 are provided on a hemi-spherical convex member and the teeth 143 on the support 143 are provided in a matching hemi-spherical concavity in the support 160. However, other arrangements are contemplated such as planar surfaces including corresponding teeth.

The right hand arm 150 may include a similar arrangement although it is not shown.

A catch 170 may also be used to lock the two arms to one another.

The triangular support 162 between the proximal ends of the two arms 140, 150 is more clearly seen in this figure.

In one embodiment it is possible for the two rigger arms to include inter-engaging teeth at their proximal opposing ends such that as one arm is moved the other

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arm moves commensurately. Means for disengaging the teeth may be provided (not shown such that one arm may he set at a different angle to the longitudinal axis of the hull compared to the other arm.

Figure 7 shows a different arrangement for locking the arm 240 to the support 260. It has the same hemi-spherical convex member with teeth 245 interlocking with teeth 243 provided in a matching hemi-spherical concavity in the support 260, as shown in Figure 6. However, instead of a knob 146 the arrangement includes an over-centre cam arrangement at the end of the bolt. This cam arrangement is similar to that of quick-release clamps found on modern bicycles for clamping and releasing a wheel from the frame.

The cam sits in a slight depression on the upper surface of the arm 240.

Another alternative arrangement is shown in Figure 8. This includes a rigger arm 340 having an at least partial sphere (a ball) 345 located at its proximal end. The sphere 345 rests inside a matching at least partially spherical socket 343 in a support 360.

The at least partially spherical socket inside the support 360 is not completely within the support. Rather, it "extends" outside the support such that a hole is seen on the side of the support. The support 360 may include means for splitting it in half to insert the sphere 345 initially and then for locking the two halves together again. This may occur during manufacture. In this way the sphere 345 at the proximal end of the rigger arm may move within the socket 343 such that the orientation of the arm relative to the hull is adjustable and selectable.

Locking means @ot shown) may releasably fix the selected position of the arm relative to the support 360 and hull. For example a way of squeezing the wall of the socket 343 around the sphere 345 may be provided in the form of a tightenable band.

Alternatively, or additionally, opposing teeth may be provided in a similar manner to that described and shown with regard to the embodiments described above.

The support 360 includes a base 320 which allows it to be removably affixed to the hull.

Yet another way of adjusting the orientation of the rigger arms 440, 450 to the boat is shown in Figure 9. This is an elevational view from the stern or bow. This arrangement comprises two rigger arms 440, 450 each having at its proximal end a planar surface 410, 480 oriented at an angle not perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the central section of the arms.

A support 460 is provided between the proximal ends of the two arms 440, 450.

This support has a planar surface 420, 470 on each side immediately adjacent the planar surfaces 410, 480 provided at the proximal ends of the arms. The orientation of each of the planar surfaces 420, 470 on the support 460 is substantially parallel with the orientation of each of the planar surfaces 410, 480 on the arms respectively. An imaginary intersection between each planar surface 410, 420, 470, 480 and a vertical plane lying parallel with the longitudinal length of the hull may have an orientation in the range of 25 to 75 degrees above the horizontal. The angle of each planar surface 410, 420, 470, 480 below the horizontal may he in the range 25 to 75 degrees, as measured perpendicularly away from a vertical plane lying parallel with the longitudinal length of the hull.

The arms 440, 450 are pivoted to the support 460 by pins 442, 452. These pins are rectihnear and oriented substantially horizontal.

In this figure the arms 440, 450 are shown fully extended. However, each arm may he independently rotated relative to the support 460 about its axis pin 442, 452. As this occurs because of the orientation of the two opposing planar surfaces 410, 420; 470, 480 lying in a plane parallel \vith the longitudinal axis of the hull, the distal end of the attn will move relative to the hull both vertically and horizontally (i.e. in two planes). If the orientation of the two opposing planar surfaces 410, 420; 470, 480 lie in a plane which is not parallel with the longitudinal axis of the hull the distal end of the arm will move in three planes relative to the hull if the arm is rotated about its pivot pin 442, 452.

By careful selection of the orientation of the planar surfaces it is possible to retract the arms to positions above and within the hull.

Claims (19)

1. Claims 1. A rigger for a rowing or sculling boat comprising two arms each including a pivoting means for pivoting each arm between an extended position and a retracted position relative to a boat, the rigger also including locking means for adjustably locking each arm in any desired position at, and between, the extended and retracted positions.
2. 2. The rigger of claim 1, wherein the end of each arm proximal the boat, when in their extended positions, includes a first substantially planar surface rotatable on, and relative to, a second substantially planar surface, a pivot means being provided between each first and second planar surfaces linking the two and allowing movement of the first planar surface relative to the second planar surface.
3. 3. The rigger of claim 2, wherein the locking means comprises a clamping means for squeezing the two surfaces together to restrict sliding thereb etween.
4. 4. The rigger of either one of claims 2 and 3, wherein the locking means may comprise opposing teeth provided on each of the first and second surfaces.
5. 5. The rigger of claim 1, wherein the end of each arm proximal the boat, when in their extended positions, includes one of a ball and a socket, the other of the ball and socket being arrangeable on a boat, in use, the ball and socket being movable relative to one another.
6. 6. The rigger of claim 5, wherein the locking means comprises a clamping means for squeezing the ball and socket together to restrict sliding therebetween.
7. 7. The rigger of either one of claims 5 and 6, wherein the locking means comprises opposing teeth provided on each of the ball and socket.II
8. 8. The rigger of any preceding claim, wherein each arm is unitary without any means for at least partially folding it along its length.
9. 9. The rigger of any preceding claim, wherein in the retracted position the longitudinal length of each arm hes substantially parallel with the longitudinal length of a hull of the boat, in use.
10. 10. The rigger of any preceding claim, being removably attachable to the boat.
11. 11. The rigger of any preceding claim, including a gate at the end of each arm for receiving an oar or blade.
12. 12. The rigger of claim 11, wherein each gate is removably attachable to the end of each arm.
13. 13. The rigger of any preceding claim, wherein each arm is pivotable about an axis substantially vertical in use.
14. 14. The rigger of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein each arm is pivotable about an axis substantially hori2ontal in use, the axis being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the boat.
15. 15. A boat including a rigger according to any preceding claim.
16. 16. The boat of claim 15, being a fine hulled boat.
17. 17. The boat of either one of claims 15 and 16, including one, two, or three hulls.
18. 18. A rigger substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
19. 19. A boat substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.