The present invention relates to an improvement in classical trim-tab technology to enhance the general hydrodynamic performance of a marine craft inclusive of the fuel efficiency thereof.
So-called boat leveling devices of the trim-tab type have been known for many years and various forms of them have been developed in an effort to maximize attitude control, stability of the marine craft and general hydrodynamic efficiency inclusive of decrease of flow velocity under the hull and fuel efficiency.
It is known in the art to provide a trim-tab with a physical coupling takes place at the hinging point between the flat surface of the trim-tab and the hull of a watercraft to which it attaches. This physical coupling has come in the form of a pivoting hinge, as can be seen in the prior art shown in
The prior art shown in
The prior art shown in
There are significant differences between the prior art and the current invention. Primarily, the use of a living hinge as in the prior art of Arnseson U.S. Pat. No. 4,909,175 and Weiler, U.S. Pat. No. 3,463,109, do not allow an extent of slidability for the trim tabs it connects. Arnseson uses a living hinge 7.4, which is a thin flexible hinge made from the same material as the two rigid pieces it connects. Weiler uses a pivot hinge 1.3, which allows its trim tab 2.3 to raise and lower, but is limited to pivoting around its connection point. Thus, there exists a need for a fluid-hinge to allow slidability of the trim tab it connects.
These hinges in the prior art make changing a trim tab a difficult task. If a trim tab is damaged, or needs to be replaced, the operator removing the tab may further cause damage or destroy the trim-tab, as well as damage the hull of the watercraft it attaches to.
Further, an aspect that is prevalent in the prior art is the need to drill into the bottom surface of the hull of the watercraft. Not only is it a very precise process to tap holes into the bottom surface of the hull, but it requires sufficiently strong sealant to create buffers between the inside of the hull and the water. The present invention eliminates the need to drill holes in the bottom surface of the hull of a watercraft.
The present inventor has obtained patents in the general area of marine technology, such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 10,035,571 B1, and 10,005,527 B2.
The instant invention relates to hinging mechanisms in a trim-tab system. The invention provides at least one mounting plate that is connected at a lower distal end to a horizontal bracket portion. The horizontal bracket portion extends forward and aft of the transom of a watercraft in a bow to stern axial displacement. The horizontal bracket abuts the underside of the hull of a watercraft sitting flush with the underside of the watercraft. At least one fluid hinge receiver is secured to the back side of the horizontal bracket portion on which the back of the substantially planar surface of the trim tab may rest, the at least one fluid hinge receiver contains the substantially planar surface in a position of the planar surface resting about parallel to the hull of the watercraft; and the at least one fluid hinge receiver is without any load from the planar surface except at rest keeping the planar surface from descending below a horizon parallel to that of a horizon of the hull.
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an improved trim tab system which overcomes the various hydrodynamic limitations of the prior art, the same having utility with leisure as well as naval vessels.
It is also accordingly an object of the invention to eliminate any drilling or tapping into the bottom surface of the hull of a watercraft to secure the planar surface.
The present invention also seeks to increase efficiency of removing and replacing a trim tab, for various reasons including replacement and cleaning, by allowing the user to disconnect the actuator from the trim tab, and slide the trim tab out of the capture of the fluid hinge, and thereby lessoning time-consumption and damage to the watercraft or trim tab due to removal as a result.
The above and yet other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the hereinafter set forth Brief Description of the Drawings, Detailed Description of the Invention and Claims appended herewith.
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The fluid hinge receiver 30 can be further defined as a shelf-like bracket, hereinafter referred to as a “shelf-bracket” meaning that the receiver is substantially a bracket that holds and supports the planar surface, like a shelf, but does not fix it to one pivoting position.
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While there has been shown and described above the preferred embodiment of the instant invention it is to be appreciated that the invention may be embodied otherwise than is herein specifically shown and described and that, within said embodiment, certain changes may be made in the form and arrangement of the parts without departing from the underlying ideas or principles of this invention as set forth in the Claims appended herewith.
The application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 15/617,365, filed Jun. 8, 2017, which is a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 14/997,244, filed on Jan. 15, 2016, now abandoned. All prior related patents and patent applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
3371642 | Joy | Mar 1968 | A |
3399643 | Bennett | Sep 1968 | A |
3463109 | Weiler | Aug 1969 | A |
3628487 | Bennett | Dec 1971 | A |
3678874 | Flink | Jul 1972 | A |
3977349 | Hummel | Aug 1976 | A |
4896622 | Thomas | Jan 1990 | A |
4909175 | Arnseson | Mar 1990 | A |
4967682 | O'Donnell | Nov 1990 | A |
6167830 | Pilger | Jan 2001 | B1 |
7188581 | Davis | Mar 2007 | B1 |
10005527 | Langlois | Jun 2018 | B2 |
10035571 | Langlois | Jul 2018 | B1 |
10315737 | Langlois | Jun 2019 | B2 |
10358195 | Langlois | Jul 2019 | B1 |
10513312 | Langlois | Dec 2019 | B2 |
20080257247 | Crews | Oct 2008 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20190300122 A1 | Oct 2019 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 16375453 | Apr 2019 | US |
Child | 16432393 | US | |
Parent | 16032653 | Jul 2018 | US |
Child | 16375453 | US | |
Parent | 15617365 | Jun 2017 | US |
Child | 16032653 | US | |
Parent | 14997244 | Jan 2016 | US |
Child | 15617365 | US |