Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6691633
-
Patent Number
6,691,633
-
Date Filed
Tuesday, August 20, 200221 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, February 17, 200420 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
- Leydig, Voit & Mayer, Ltd
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 114 611
- 114 162
- 440 26
- 440 27
- 440 29
- 440 31
- 440 32
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A collapsible pontoon paddle boat that includes inflatable pontoons that may be deflated, and a series of frame pieces that may be disassembled. The frame structure includes metal tubes that snap into anchors that are integrally formed on the sides of the pontoons. A removable seat is provided for the boat that is supported by a series of cinch straps that allows fore and aft sections of the seating surface to be adjusted up and down relative to the pontoons. A plurality of mounting locations may be provided for removable cranks and paddle wheels so that their position may be adjusted relative to the seat. A rudder for the pontoon paddle boat is connected to the frame for the pontoon paddle boat by a friction connection and includes a pivot mechanism that permits folding to a position where it extends parallel to the boat.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to small watercrafts, and more specifically to a pontoon boat having paddle wheels.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Small boats are popular for a number of reasons. First, they may provide entertainment in the form of activities such as fishing and recreational boating. In addition, the small boats may provide an alternate form of exercise. Small boats are convenient in that they usually can be removed from the water after use, and can typically be lifted by one or two people and carried to a storage location.
One downside to small boats is that they often require a large storage space when not in use. To provide adequate support for people, the boats are typically long and wide. In addition, because the holes and other components of the boat must be seaworthy, they are typically heavy and cumbersome. Therefore, transport of small boats is often difficult, and many times requires a pickup truck or a trailer of some sort.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a collapsible pontoon paddle boat. The pontoon paddle boat includes inflatable pontoons that may be deflated and a series of frame pieces that may be disassembled and stored with the deflated pontoons in a compact configuration. The broken-down pontoon may be conveniently stored or transported, for example in a carrying bag.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the frame structure includes metal tubes that snap into anchors that are integrally formed in the sides of the pontoons. The anchors or the tubes may include snap connectors that allow quick disassembly of the frame from the pontoons.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a seat is provided for the pontoon paddle boat that is removable and collapsible. The seat is supported by a series of cinch straps that allows fore and aft sections of the seating surface to be adjusted up and down relative to the pontoons. In addition, the entire seating surface may be lowered or raised using the cinch straps. The seat also includes a back that is attached by straps. The straps may be adjusted so as to provide a comfortable seating posture for a user.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the paddle wheels and cranks for the paddle wheels are connected to front anchors on the pontoons. The paddle wheels may disconnect from the cranks to provide compact storage of the paddle wheels. Also, if desired, a plurality of mounting locations may be provided for the cranks and paddle wheels so that their position may be adjusted relative to the seat. In this manner, the cranks may be situated so that they conveniently fit against the feet of a user seated on the seat, regardless of the size of the user.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a rudder for the pontoon paddle boat is connected to the frame for the pontoon paddle boat by a friction connection. The friction in the connection may be overcome, for example, when the rudder contacts the ground or other objects located underneath the boat. In this manner, the rudder is not damaged in shallow water.
The rudder also includes a pivot mechanism that allows the rudder to be folded to a position where it extends parallel to the pontoon paddle boat. The storage position allows the pontoon paddle boat to be pulled up on shore, without dragging the rudder into the ground.
The pontoon paddle boat of the present invention provides many benefits over prior art small boats. It may be folded into a compact configuration, and may be adjusted so as to fit a variety of different sized users. Other features may be employed to make the pontoon paddle boat more comfortable. For example, cup holders may be formed integrally into the frame, and a cargo net may also be provided.
Other advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a front, perspective view of a pontoon paddle boat embodying the present invention;
FIG. 2
is a side view of the pontoon paddle boat of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 3
is a top view of the pontoon paddle boat of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 4
is a rear view of the pontoon paddle boat of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 5
is a cutaway perspective view of a front portion of the pontoon paddle boat of
FIG. 1
, with paddle wheels removed for detail;
FIG. 6
is a perspective view of a seat for the pontoon paddle boat of
FIG. 1
; and
FIG. 7
is a front perspective view of a pontoon paddle boat having two seats in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In the following description, various aspects of the present invention will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the present invention.
Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views,
FIG. 1
shows a pontoon paddle boat
20
incorporating the present invention. Briefly described, the pontoon paddle boat
20
includes left and right pontoons
22
,
24
. A seat
26
is mounted between the pontoons
22
,
24
at an upper surface of the pontoons. Paddle wheels
28
are mounted on the front of the pontoon paddle boat
20
. The paddle wheels
28
may be rotated by user's leg using cranks
102
, as described further below.
Although shown as having two pontoons
22
,
24
, an alternate embodiment of the pontoon paddle boat
220
, shown in
FIG. 7
, may be designed using the concepts of the present invention and having more than two pontoons. For example, the example shown in
FIG. 7
includes three pontoons
222
,
224
, and
225
, and two seats
226
,
227
, with a crank
202
,
204
for each rider to drive the paddle wheels
228
.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the pontoons
22
,
24
are inflatable. If desired, each of the pontoons
22
,
24
may include a separate air chamber inside the pontoon so that puncturing of the outside of one pontoon does not result in the pontoon paddle boat
20
rolling over or flipping.
The pontoons
22
,
24
are preferably tapered along their length so that they are larger in diameter at their rear portions. In this manner, the pontoons
22
,
24
may support the weight of a rider leaning back in the pontoon paddle boat
20
without the rider's weight causing the front end of the boat to rise too much out of the water. Otherwise, the paddle wheels
28
may not make adequate contact with the water.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, as further described below, the pontoon paddle boat
20
includes a number of metal frame members that may be attached to the pontoons
22
,
24
. The metal frame members provide support and structure for the pontoon paddle boat
20
, and may be detached for storage of the pontoon paddle boat.
To aid in attachment of the metal frame members, each of the pontoons
22
,
24
includes front and rear outside anchors
30
,
32
(FIG.
2
). The pontoons
22
,
24
also include front and rear inside anchors
34
,
36
. The front and rear inside and outside anchors
30
-
36
preferably are all permanently affixed to the outside walls of the pontoons
22
,
24
, such as by sewing or by an adhesive. Each of the front and rear inside and outside anchors
30
,
32
,
34
,
36
includes upwardly facing cylinders
33
having snap connectors
35
(best shown in FIG.
5
), the function of which is described in detail below.
In addition, as can best be seen in
FIG. 5
, each of the pontoons
22
,
24
includes a top, front anchor
38
. The top, front anchors
38
include a pair of upwardly extending plates
40
,
42
having a series of holes
44
,
46
extending therethrough. Rearwardly extending cylinders
45
having snap connectors
47
are located on the back portion of the top, front anchors
36
. Eyelets
48
are also attached to the rear of the pontoons
22
,
24
. The top, front anchor
38
and the rear eyelets
48
may also be attached by adhesive, sewing, or in other suitable manners.
As can best be seen in
FIG. 3
, the frame structure includes a pontoon frame piece
50
aligned along the top of each of the pontoons
22
,
24
. The pontoon frame piece
50
includes an elongate central element and front and rear U-shaped elements
52
,
54
extending perpendicularly downward from the central frame piece. A front extension
56
extends forward from the central frame piece and into the rearwardly extending cylinder
45
on the top, front anchor
38
. A pair of T-attachments
58
is located at the front and rear portions of the pontoon frame piece
50
adjacent to the front and rear portions of the seat
26
. The leg of the T-attachments includes a snap connector
57
. A short rear extension
60
extends rearwardly from the pontoon frame piece
50
, and also includes a snap connector
61
.
Pontoon frame piece
50
is attached to one of the pontoons
22
,
24
by snapping the ends of the front and rear U-shaped elements
52
,
54
into the upwardly extending cylinders
33
on the front and rear inside and outside anchors
30
-
36
. The snap connectors
35
hold these pieces together, and may be, for example, spring clips that snap into holes on the respective U-shaped elements
52
,
54
. In addition, the forward end of the front extension
56
is inserted into rearwardly extending cylinder
45
and snapped into place in a similar manner by the snap connector
47
. These five connections of the front pontoon frame piece
50
to the respective pontoon
22
or
24
provide a stable base for the pontoon frame piece
50
to the pontoon.
The spring clips or connectors described are known in the tube connection art, and their operation and structure are simplified in order to not obscure the present invention. Other connection mechanisms may be used so that frame pieces may be easily attached and disconnected from the pontoons
22
,
24
. For example, the frame pieces may include spring clips that snap into the anchors on the pontoons
22
,
24
.
A front crossbar
62
(
FIG. 1
) extends between the front T attachments
58
of the opposite pontoon frame pieces
58
of the opposite pontoon frame pieces
50
, and is similarly snapped into place on the snap connectors
57
. The front cross bar
62
extends downward along the sloped surface of the pontoon
22
or
24
and then across to the opposite pontoon. In this manner, the front crossbar
62
is U-shaped, and is out of the way of the seat
26
. A similar bar, such as a rear metal cross bar
64
(
FIG. 4
) extends between the rear T-attachments
58
on the two pontoon frame pieces
50
, and may also be snapped into the snap connections
57
.
A rear crossbar
66
(
FIG. 3
) extends along the back of the pontoon. The rear crossbar
66
includes a pair of L-attachments
68
at its ends. The L-attachments
68
may include snap connectors
69
. Two forward extensions
70
extend out of the L-attachments
68
. When installed on the pontoon paddle boat
20
, the forward extension
70
extends through the rear top eyelets
48
and into snap connector
61
on the short rear extensions
60
of the pontoon frame pieces
50
. The rear crossbar
66
may be disconnected from the L-attachments
68
for disassembly, if desired. The rear crossbar
66
and the forward extensions
70
form a U-shaped rear frame for the pontoon paddle boat
20
.
The pontoon frame pieces
50
, the front crossbar
62
, the metal crossbar
64
, and the rear cross bar
66
are preferably formed of metal, such as tubular steel, and provide a stable, rigid frame for the pontoon paddle boat
20
. The rear crossbar
60
and its connection to the pontoon frame pieces
50
provide a rigid rear frame for the pontoon paddle boat
20
, and prevent the rear of the boat from rotating upward when a user is in the seat
26
. In addition, because of the snap connectors
61
, the snap connectors
47
on the top, front anchor
38
, and the snap connectors
35
on the front and rear inside and outside anchors
30
-
36
, each of these frame pieces may be easily removed and taken apart so that the frame members may be stored in a compact configuration.
The pontoon boat
220
may similarly be attached to frame members that may break down in separate parts, such as is shown in FIG.
7
. Each of the pontoons
222
,
224
, and
226
may include similar anchors for attaching the frame members. Alternatively, the center pontoon
224
or one or more of the outer pontoons
222
,
225
may be additionally or alternatively be attached by straps that attach to anchors on the sides of the pontoons
222
,
224
, and
226
. The straps may add additionally stability for the extra weight that must be carried by a two-seater pontoon boat. The handle
212
for the rudder (not shown in
FIG. 7
, but similar to the rudder
112
) may extend between the two seats
226
,
227
.
Turning now to
FIG. 6
, the seat
26
includes a lower seating surface
80
. The U-shape of the front and rear cross bars permits the lower seating surface to be lowered below a top line of the pontoons
22
,
24
. This feature provides more stability for a user of the pontoon paddle boat
20
. The lower seating surface
80
includes a pair of parallel bars
82
that are stitched into side edges of the lower seating surface. A plurality of cinch straps
82
,
84
,
86
extend between the pontoon frame piece
50
and the bars
82
for each respective pontoon
22
and
24
. In the embodiment shown, three cinch straps
84
,
86
,
88
are used. The cinch straps
84
,
86
,
88
are spaced along the bars
82
so that they are located at the front, middle, and rear of the bars. The cinch straps
84
,
86
,
88
each include a cinching mechanism, such as a webbing end buckle, that permits the cinch strap to be tightened or loosened, and allows the cinch strap to be locked into position.
In use, a user may selectively cinch any of the straps
84
,
86
,
88
so as to raise a selective portion of the lower seating surface
80
relative to other portions of the seating surface. For example, the front cinch straps
84
may be tightened, and the rear cinch straps loosened, to raise a front of the lower seating surface
80
relative to a rear of the lower seating surface. In addition, all of the cinch straps
84
,
86
,
88
may be cinched so as to raise the entire lower seating surface
80
. Likewise, each of the cinch straps
84
,
86
,
88
may be loosened so as to lower the seating surface
80
. This feature allows the lower seating surface
80
to be arranged so that it is comfortable for a user. The U-shaped of the front and rear cross bars permits the lower seating surface to be lowered below a top line of the pontoons
22
,
24
. This feature provides more stability for a user of the pontoon paddle boat
20
.
The seat
26
also includes a back
90
. The back
90
includes a U-shaped post
92
that extends upward from pivoting supports
94
that are attached to the ends of the metal crossbars
64
. The pivoting supports
94
are pivotally attached to metal crossbar
64
so that the U-shaped post
92
may rotate or pivot relative to the metal cross bar
64
and the pontoon paddle boat
20
. Each of the pivoting supports
94
may include a snap connector
95
for releasing and attaching the seat back
90
. A pair of cinch straps
96
extends between the front crossbar
62
and upper portions of the U-shaped post
92
. The cinch straps
96
may be tightened or loosened to adjust the angle of the back
90
relative to the lower seating surface
80
. Buckles
98
may be provided on the cinch straps
96
for detaching the cinch straps from the front cross bar
62
when disassembling the pontoon paddle boat
20
.
The front portion of the pontoon paddle boat
20
can best be seen in FIG.
5
. The paddle wheels
28
are removed to show detail. The paddle wheels
28
are attached to ends of rods
100
. The rods
100
thread into the paddle wheels
28
and form part of the shaft for the paddle wheel
28
and crank assembly of the pontoon paddle boat. The threads on the rods
100
are preferably aligned so that they tighten as a user rotates the paddle wheels
28
. If desired, the paddles wheels
28
may be attached to the rods
100
in another suitable manner, such as by snap connectors.
Opposite ends of rods
100
are attached to the cranks
102
. The cranks
102
include rotatably-mounted pedals
104
for a user to pedal the paddle wheels
28
. The cranks
102
include threaded collars
106
for fitting onto threaded ends of the rods
100
. Again, if desired, other attachment mechanisms may be used, such as snap connectors. If threaded, the threads are preferably aligned so that they tighten as a user rotates the paddle wheels
28
.
The rods
100
may be released from the cranks
102
by rotating the threaded collars
106
. The rods
100
may then be released from the holes
44
,
46
in the top, front anchor
38
. The rods
100
may be reinserted in different holes
44
,
46
in the top, front anchor
38
so as to adjust the length of the cranks
102
from the seat
26
. In this manner, the pontoon paddle boat
20
may be adjusted so that it may comfortably fit the length of the legs of a user.
The rods
100
may be released from the paddle wheels
28
and the cranks
102
so that each of these pieces may be stored separately. This feature aids in compactly storing the pontoon paddle boat
20
.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, one or more cup holders
110
may be provided on the pontoon paddle boat
20
. In the embodiment shown, the cup holders
110
are formed integrally on the inside front edges of the front T-attachments
58
of the pontoon frame piece
50
. The cup holders
110
provide a location for a user to place a cup or other items while operating the pontoon paddle boat
20
. The cup holders
110
may be placed in other locations, but are convenient as shown because they are easily accessible by a user. As an example,
FIGS. 1 and 3
show the use of two cup holders
110
, and
FIG. 6
shows only one.
A cargo net
111
may be provided across the back of the pontoon paddle boat. The cargo net
111
may extend between opposite bars on the pontoons
22
,
24
, and may be used to hold various items while a user is paddling the pontoon paddle boat
20
.
A rudder assembly for the pontoon paddle boat
20
can be seen in
FIGS. 3 and 4
. The rudder assembly includes a rudder
112
extending perpendicularly outward from a shaft
114
. The shaft
114
is rotatably connected to a clamp
116
that is mounted on the rear crossbar
66
. The clamp
116
includes a knob
118
that may be threaded and may be used to tighten or loosen a split opening of the clamp
116
onto the rear crossbar
66
. Preferably, tightening the knob
118
onto the rear crossbar
66
does not create a rigid locking connection between the clamp
116
and the rear crossbar
66
, but instead creates a friction grip onto the rear crossbar. In this manner, if the rudder
112
and/or the shaft
114
come into contact with an obstruction while the rudder is downward, the clamp
118
may have its friction grip overcome and the rudder and shaft are free to rotate about the rear crossbar
66
. This feature prevents damage to the rudder
112
.
An extension arm
119
extends perpendicularly and horizontally outward from the top of the shaft
114
. A swivel attachment
120
extends upward from the extension arm
119
and includes a hole therethrough. A bent end of a handle
122
extends through the hole, and may be attached, for example, by placing a nut or other fastener on the end of the bent portion of the handle
122
. The handle
122
extends forward from the swivel attachment
120
through an eyelet
124
(
FIG. 4
) mounted adjacent to the seat
126
.
The swivel attachment
120
permits the handle to be pulled forward, with the swivel attachment rotating, the extension arm
119
being pulled forward, and the rudder rotating to cause a right turn. The handle
122
may similarly be moved rearward to cause the rudder to rotate back in the opposite direction, promoting a left turn. In both of these movements, the handle does not rotate within the swivel attachment, but instead the swivel attachment rotates relative to the extension arm
119
.
The rotatable attachment of the handle
122
to the swivel attachment
120
permits the rudder
112
and the shaft
114
to be folded upward for storage of the pontoon paddle boat
20
. To this end, a user may rotate the knob
117
to release the clamp
116
, and may pull forward on the top part of the shaft
114
to bend the rudder
112
upward. In this motion, the extension arm
118
rocks forward, and the bent end of the handle
122
rotates within the swivel attachment
120
. As such, the handle
122
remains attached to the swivel attachment
120
when the rudder
112
is in the lowered or storage positions.
The pontoon paddle boat
20
of the present invention provides many advantages over prior art boats. The pontoon paddle boat includes inflatable pontoons
20
,
22
that may be deflated, and a series of frame pieces that may be disassembled and stored with the deflated pontoons in a compact configuration. The broken-down pontoon may be conveniently stored or transported, for example in a carrying bag.
The frame structure includes metal tubes that snap into anchors that are integrally formed in the sides of the pontoons. The snap connectors allow quick disassembly of the frame from the pontoons. The seat
26
allows fore and aft sections of the seating surface to be adjusted up and down relative to the pontoons
22
,
24
. The cranks
102
and paddle wheels
28
may be mounted in different location so that their position may be adjusted relative to the seat
26
. The friction connection of the rudder
112
to the frame permits the rudder to fold upward when it encounters an obstacle. The pivoting connection of the rudder
112
to the handle
122
allows the rudder to be folded to a position where it extends parallel to the pontoon paddle boat
20
.
Other variations are within the spirit of the present invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrated embodiment thereof is shown in the drawings and has been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.
Claims
- 1. A pontoon boat comprising:first and second inflatable pontoons, each of the first and second pontoons comprising: front and rear outer side anchors; front and rear inner side anchors; a top rear anchor; and a top front anchor; a first frame member that includes two U-shaped elements extending outward therefrom, the first frame member being configured so that the U-shaped elements are removably attachable to the front and rear outer and inner anchors of the first pontoon; a second frame member that includes two U-shaped elements extending outward therefrom, the second frame member being configured so that the U-shaped elements are removably attachable to the front and rear outer and inner anchors of the second pontoon; a first forward extension extending from the first frame member and removably connectable to the top front anchor of the first pontoon; a second forward extension extending from the second frame member and removably connectable to the top front anchor of the second pontoon; a rear U-shaped frame member, removable attachable to the first and second frame members and the rear anchors of the first and second pontoons; a front frame member removably attachable between the first and the second frame members; and a paddle wheel and crank assembly removably attachable to the front anchors on the first and second pontoons.
- 2. The pontoon boat of claim 1, wherein each of the rear anchors comprises an eyelet through which the rear U-shaped frame extends.
- 3. The pontoon boat of claim 1, wherein each of the front anchors comprises a hole through which a shaft for the paddle wheel and the crank assembly may be extended.
- 4. The pontoon boat of claim 2, wherein each of the front anchors comprises a plurality of holes through which the shaft may be extended, the plurality of holes providing different mounting locations for the paddle wheel and crank assembly.
- 5. The pontoon boat of claim 1, wherein each of the front anchors comprises a rearwardly extending cylinder for receiving the respective forward extension.
- 6. The pontoon boat of claim 1, further comprising a seat mounted between the first and second frame members.
- 7. The pontoon boat of claim 6, wherein the seat comprises a seating surface, the seating surface being mounted below a top line of the pontoons.
- 8. The pontoon boat of claim 7, wherein the front frame member extends below the seating surface.
- 9. The pontoon boat of claim 1, further comprising a third pontoon mounted between the first and second pontoons.
- 10. The pontoon boat of claim 1, further comprising a cup holder mounted on the first frame member.
- 11. The pontoon boat of claim 10, wherein the cup holder is mounted at a juncture of the front frame member and the first frame member.
- 12. The pontoon boat of claim 1, further comprising a cup holder mounted adjacent to one of the pontoons.
- 13. The pontoon boat of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of cup holders.
- 14. A pontoon boat, comprising:first, second, and third pontoons; a first seat mounted between the first and second pontoons; a second seat mounted between the second and third pontoons; and a crank and paddle wheel assembly comprising: at least one paddle wheel; a first set of cranks for use by a user sitting in the first seat; and a second set of cranks for use by a user sitting in the second seat.
- 15. The pontoon boat of claim 14, further comprising detachable frame members that connect the first, second, and third pontoons.
- 16. A boat, comprising:a first elongate fire member, a second elongate frame member extending parallel to the first elongate frame member; a seat, comprising: a flexible seating surface; a first rod connected to the flexible seating surface and extending along one edge of the flexible seating surface; and a second rod connected to the flexible seating surface and extending along an opposite edge of the flexible seating surface; a first plurality of cinch straps attached between the first frame member and the first rod, the cinch straps being spaced along the first frame member and the first rod; and a second plurality of cinch straps attached between the second frame member and the second rod, the cinch straps being spaced along the second frame member and the second rod.
- 17. The boat of claim 16, further comprising a first pontoon attached to the first frame member, and a second pontoon attached to the second frame member, the scat extending between the first pontoon and the second pontoon.
- 18. The pontoon boat of claim 17, wherein the cinching straps may be loosened so as to lower the seating surface below a top line of the pontoons.
- 19. The boat of claim 16, wherein the seat further comprises a seat back, pivotally mounted adjacent a back edge of the flexible seating surface, and a strap extending from the seat back to a position on the boat.
- 20. The boat of claim 19, wherein the strap is a cinch strap.
- 21. The boat of claim 16, wherein the number in the first and second pluralities is three.
- 22. A boat, comprising:a rod mounted horizontally in the boat; a clamp connected to the rod; a shaft extending downward from the clamp; a rudder connected to the shaft below the clamp; wherein the clamp includes a friction connection on the shaft that is sufficient to hold the rudder in water during normal use, but the friction is overcome and the clamp rotates around the shaft when the rudder or shaft come into contact with an obstacle; an extension extending upward from the clamp; an arm attached at one end of the extension and extending outward perpendicular to the extension; a swivel connection attached to the other end of the arm and extending perpendicular to the arm; and a handle rotatably attached to the swivel connection.
- 23. A boat, comprising:a rod mounted horizontally in the boat; a clamp connected to the rod, the clamp comprising a split opening and a knob for tightening the split opening around the rod; a shaft extending downward from the clamp; a rudder connected to the shaft below the clamp; wherein the clamp includes a friction connection on the shaft that is sufficient to bold the rudder in water during normal use, but the friction is overcome and the clamp rotates around the shaft when the rudder or shaft come into contact with an obstacle.
US Referenced Citations (23)