Draft adjustable watercraft

Abstract

A watercraft has a hull with a central portion which selectively raises from a lower position to a recessed position within a tunnel of the boat hull with a hydraulically controlled means. The hydraulically controlled means is disposed within the hull and adjacent the tunnel. A motor mount is in mechanical communication with the adjustable portion of the boat hull and raises or lowers correspondingly with the adjustable portion of the boat hull.

Claims

1. A watercraft, comprising: a hull having an exterior hull channel within a hull bottom and adjacent a watercraft stem; and, an adjustable hull adjustably secured within said hull channel in mechanical communication with a hull adjustment assembly; wherein said hull adjustment assembly permits a user to selectively raise or lower said adjustable hull within said hull channel; wherein said hull adjustment assembly comprises a manual lifting mechanism; and wherein said manual lifting mechanism comprises a central shaft secured at a central shaft first end to said adjustable hull.

2. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein said manual lifting mechanism further comprises a handle secured to said central shaft at a central shaft second end.

3. The watercraft of claim 2, wherein said manual lifting mechanism further comprises a locking mechanism.

4. The watercraft of claim 3, wherein said locking mechanism is adjustable.

5. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein when said user moves said manual lifting mechanism in a first direction said adjustable hull is raised.

6. The watercraft of claim 5, wherein when said user moves said manual lifting mechanism in a second direction said adjustable hull is lowered.

7. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein said hull channel comprises a polygonal cuboid shape.

8. The watercraft of claim 1, where said adjustable hull comprises a polygonal cuboid shape.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a side view of a watercraft 10, showing a cut away section of the stern 55 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is cross-section rear view of the watercraft 10, along the line I-I of FIG. 1, showing the adjustable hull 30 in a raised configuration;

(4) FIG. 3 is cross-section rear view of the watercraft 10, along the line I-I of FIG. 1, showing the adjustable hull 30 in a lowered configuration; and,

(5) FIG. 4 is cross-section rear view of the watercraft 10 in an alternate embodiment, along the line I-I of FIG. 1, showing the adjustable hull 30 with a manual lifting means 80 in a raised tunnel hull configuration.

DESCRIPTIVE KEY

(6) 10 watercraft 15 starboard side hull 20 hydraulic piston 21 hydraulic cylinder 25 adjustable hull channel 30 adjustable hull 35 port side hull 45 watercraft deck 50 bow 55 stern 65 hull bottom 70 switch 75 pivot point 80 manual lifting means 85 central shaft 90 top handle 95 adjustable locking means 100 offset section

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(7) The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within FIGS. 1 through 4. However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention and that any such work around will also fall under the scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one (1) particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope.

(8) The terms a and an herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one (1) of the referenced items.

(9) Referring now to FIG. 1, is a side view of a watercraft 10 (watercraft), showing a cut away section of the stern 55 on the starboard side 15 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. The watercraft 10 comprises a hull having a starboard side 15, a port side 35 (See FIGS. 2-4), a bow 50, a stern 55, and a hull bottom 65.

(10) Located within the hull bottom 65 adjacent the stern 55 is an adjustable hull channel 25 configured to moveably retain therein an adjustable hull 30. The adjustable hull channel 25 and adjustable hull 30 are shown as being polygonal cuboids having a generally flat shape for purposes of illustration. However, it is understood that other configurations including some curved features, any pair of nesting shapes, or the like could be accommodated by the teachings of the present invention, and as such, should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the present invention. There are hydraulic mechanisms positioned in the middle of the adjustable hull 30. A hydraulic piston 20 is movable in a hydraulic cylinder 21 The cylinder 21 is connected to an underside of the deck 45 in the hull channel 25 and the piston 20, is mounted to the adjustable hull 30 (See FIGS. 2-3). The hydraulic mechanism is in mechanical and electrical communication with a switch 70 which permits an operator to actuate the hydraulic mechanism thereby raising or lowering the adjustable hull 30 inside or outside the adjustable hull channel 25. It is appreciated that a single switch 70 exists to operate the hydraulic piston or in another embodiment a first switch could activate the hydraulic mechanism in a first direction and a second switch could activate the hydraulic mechanism in a second, or opposite direction.

(11) Referring next to FIG. 2, a cross-section rear view of the watercraft 10, along the line I-I of FIG. 1, showing the adjustable hull 30 in a raised configuration is disclosed. This view discloses the central nature of the hydraulic cylinder 21 and the associated hydraulic piston 20. The hydraulic piston is connected to the adjustable hull 30 via a pivot point 75 to allow for angular displacement during the raising and lowering process. This configuration would be utilized in shallow water.

(12) Referring now to FIG. 3, a cross-section rear view of the watercraft 10, along the line I-I of FIG. 1, showing the adjustable hull 30 in a lowered configuration is depicted. This view once again discloses the central nature of the hydraulic cylinder 21 and the associated hydraulic piston 20, as well as the pivot point 75. This configuration would be utilized in deeper water, typically in conjunction with an outboard engine to allow for improved boat handling and higher rates of speed.

(13) Referring finally to FIG. 4, a cross-section rear view of the watercraft 10 in an alternate embodiment, along the line I-I of FIG. 1, showing the adjustable hull 30 with a manual lifting means 80 in a raised tunnel hull configuration is shown. The alternate arrangement is similar to that disclosed in FIG. 2, except with the replacement of the hydraulic cylinder 21 and the associated hydraulic piston 20 with the manual lifting means 80. The manual lifting means 80 consists of a central shaft 85, a T-shaped top handle 90, and an adjustable locking means 95. During use, the operator of the watercraft 10 would grasp the top handle 90 and lift it up or down corresponding to a respective height adjustment of the adjustable hull 30 via the central shaft 85. The central shaft 85 is provided with an offset section 100, to allow for within the watercraft 10. Once proper height of the adjustable hull 30 has been obtained, the operator would secure the central shaft 85 in place via adjustable locking means 95, such as a locking pin, a locking collar, a clamp system or the like. The use of any particular style of adjustable locking means 95 is not intended to be a limiting factor of the present invention. Operation and benefits of the draft adjustable watercraft remain the same as aforementioned described in FIGS. 1 through 3.

(14) The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. It is envisioned that the watercraft 10 would be constructed in general accordance with FIGS. 1-4.

(15) The watercraft 10 would be manufactured primarily of fiberglass, wood and or metal. An operator of the watercraft 10 would assess the need for a planing hull, a flat-bottom hull or a tunnel hull depending on the depth and intended use of the watercraft 10. Should the operator desire a flat-bottom hull or tunnel hull, the operator would actuate the switch 70 in a first position (not shown), thereby actuating each hydraulic mechanism in unison and raising the adjustable hull 30 into the interior void of the adjustable hull channel 25. Should the operator desire a planing hull, the operator would actuate the switch 70 in a second position (not shown), thereby actuating each hydraulic mechanism in unison and lowering the adjustable hull 30 out of the interior void of the adjustable hull channel 25. A similar operation would be required of the alternate embodiment by manipulation of the central shaft 85, the top handle 90, and the adjustable locking means 95.