RUDDER APPARATUS FOR A WATERCRAFT

Abstract

According to an aspect of the disclosure, a rudder apparatus for steering a watercraft includes a housing for being coupled to a stern of the watercraft. A blade casing is coupled to the housing. A blade is coupled to the blade casing. The blade casing is pivotally connected to the housing and pivotable with the blade between a deployed position in which the blade extends vertically downwardly into the water, and a stowed position in which the blade extends perpendicularly relative to the deployed position. The blade is pivotable relative to the blade casing from the deployed position to deflected positions to permit the blade to deflect when the blade impacts debris or the bed of the body of water.

Claims

1. A rudder apparatus for steering a watercraft, comprising: a housing for being coupled to a stern of the watercraft; a blade casing coupled to the housing; a blade coupled to the blade casing; the blade casing pivotally connected to the housing and pivotable with the blade between a deployed position in which the blade extends vertically downwardly into the water, and a stowed position in which the blade extends perpendicularly relative to the deployed position; and the blade pivotable relative to the blade casing from the deployed position to deflected positions to permit the blade to deflect when the blade impacts underwater debris or the bed of the body of water.

2. The rudder apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the blade casing presents a first tab, and wherein the blade presents a second tab in alignment with the first tab of the blade casing to cause rotation of the blade in response to rotation of the blade casing while still permitting the blade to rotate independently of the blade casing.

3. The rudder apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further including a first spring connected to the blade casing and the blade and biasing the blade toward the deployed position.

4. The rudder apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further including a housing positioned about the blade casing, and a second spring connected to the blade casing and the housing and configured to bias the blade casing toward the stowed position.

5. The rudder apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein a tension handle is selectively fixed to the housing, and wherein the second spring is fixed to the tension handle to effectuate the connection between the blade casing and the housing.

6. The rudder apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein the tension handle is rotatable relative to the second spring and the housing.

7. The rudder apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein the housing, the blade casing and the blade define a series of connection passages aligned with one another along a pivot axis, and wherein the blade and the blade casing are pivotable about the pivot axis, wherein the tension handle has a dial portion for being rotated by a user, and a face opposite the dial portion, wherein a cylinder extends from the face and through the connection passages, and wherein the second spring is fixed to the cylinder.

8. The rudder apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein the second spring does not exert a biasing force on the blade and the blade casing when the blade and blade casing are in the stowed position, and wherein the second spring exerts a biasing force on the blade and blade casing toward the stowed position when the blade and the blade casing are in the deployed position.

9. The rudder apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the housing, the blade casing and the blade define a series of connection passages aligned with one another along a pivot axis, and wherein the blade casing and the blade are pivotable about the pivot axis.

10. The rudder apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein the blade defines a first recess about the connection passage of the blade, wherein the blade has a first notch that extends radially into the first recess, wherein a first spring is received in the first notch and is connected to the blade casing and the blade and biases the blade toward the deployed position, and wherein the first spring has a first internal arm engaging the first notch.

11. The rudder apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein the blade casing has a first casing side and a second casing side coupled to one another on opposite sides of the blade, the second casing has a tube that extends into the connection passage of the blade, wherein the tube defines the connection passage of the second casing side, and wherein the first spring has an external arm connected to the tube of the second casing.

12. The rudder apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein the second casing side defines a second recess on an opposite side of the second casing side as the tube, wherein the second casing has a second notch that extends radially into the second recess, wherein a second spring is received in the second recess and is connected to the second casing side and the housing and biases the blade casing toward the stowed position, wherein a tension knob is selectively fixed to the housing, and wherein the second spring is fixed to the tension knob to effectuate the connection between the connection between the blade casing and the housing.

13. The rudder apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the blade casing has a ramp along a perimeter of the blade casing, and where a cable extends along the ramp and is fixed to the blade casing to effectuate rotation of the blade casing in response to the cable being pulled to rotate the blade into the deployed position.

14. The rudder apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein a cable guide is connected to the tiller plate, wherein the cable guide defines a cable passage receiving the cable for guiding the cable toward the ramp of the blade casing.

15. The rudder apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the blade is configured to pivot 270 degrees between the deployed position and the stowed position.

16. The rudder apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein a cable is connected to the blade casing, and wherein the blade casing and blade are configured to pivot in response to a user pulling on the cable.

17. A rudder apparatus for a watercraft, comprising: a blade; a blade casing secured to the blade; a housing coupled to the blade casing; and first and second springs biasing the blade in opposite directions, the second spring biasing the blade to retract from a deployed position for operational use to a stowed position adjacent to a stern of the watercraft in a horizontal configuration and, in the deployed position, the blade configured to be vertical and extend downward to act as a rudder for the watercraft when in operation and, in the deployed position, the first spring configured to allow the blade to pivot and deflect rearwardly away from the deployed position when the blade contacts underwater debris or the bed of the body of water, and then return the blade to the deployed position.

18. The rudder apparatus as set forth in claim 17, wherein a single cable is connected to the blade casing and configured to pivot the blade from the stowed position to the deployed position in response to pulling on the cable away from the blade.

19. The rudder system as set forth in claim 18, wherein the blade casing presents at least one ramp along a portion of the outer circumference of the blade casing, and wherein the cable overlies the ramp to provide rotation of the blade casing and blade in response to movement of the cable.

20. The rudder apparatus as set forth, in claim 17, further including a tension knob coupled to the second spring and configured to adjust a biasing force exerted by the second spring biasing the blade toward the deployed position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Other advantages of the present disclosure will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rudder apparatus for a watercraft, illustrating the rudder apparatus coupled to an example watercraft;

[0015] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the rudder apparatus positioned in a deployed position;

[0016] FIG. 3 is a right side view of the rudder apparatus positioned in a stowed position;

[0017] FIG. 4 is a rear, perspective view of the rudder apparatus positioned in the stowed position;

[0018] FIG. 5 is a perspective, left side view of the rudder apparatus positioned in the stowed position;

[0019] FIG. 6 is a right side view of a first blade casing component and associated cable of the rudder apparatus;

[0020] FIG. 7 is a left side view of the first blade casing component and the cable of the rudder apparatus;

[0021] FIG. 8 is a perspective, right side, exploded view of the rudder apparatus;

[0022] FIG. 9 is a perspective, left side, exploded view of the rudder apparatus;

[0023] FIG. 10 is a front perspective, right side view of the rudder apparatus; and

[0024] FIG. 11 is a perspective, rear view of the rudder apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ENABLING EMBODIMENT

[0025] Referring to the figures, wherein like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, embodiments of a rudder apparatus 20 for steering a watercraft 22 are provided. With initial reference to FIG. 1, the rudder apparatus 20 is configured to be connected to a stern 24 of the watercraft 22 and has a blade 48 which is pivotable about a vertical steering axis A in two directions for altering an angle of water flow relative to the stern 24 to cause the watercraft 22 to turn. The rudder apparatus 20 according to the shown embodiment is connected to a kayak 22, but could be used with other types of watercrafts 22, like canoes and boats.

[0026] The blade 48 of the rudder apparatus 20 is also configured to pivot along a pivot axis B, which extends in a direction that is perpendicular to the steering axis A between a stowed position (FIG. 3), and a deployed position (FIGS. 1 and 2) in a convenient manner via the user of a single cable 52. While in the stowed position, the blade 48 is positioned substantially horizontally flush over the stern 24 of the watercraft such that the blade 48 is not susceptible to damage, and while the blade 48 is in the deployed position, the blade 48 extends vertically downwardly into the water for steering the watercraft 22. According to the shown embodiment the blade 48 pivots approximately 270 degrees between the stowed and deployed positions, but other angles could be used. Furthermore, while in the deployed position, the rudder apparatus 20 is designed to pivot or deflect the blade 48 backward. This feature helps to prevent damage to the blade 48 from impacts with the bed of the body of water and underwater debris, such as rocks and stumps. Because the blade 48 lies substantially horizontally over the watercraft 22 while in the stowed position, it is less susceptible to being damaged than designs in which the blade 48 extends vertically while stowed.

[0027] As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 8-9, the rudder apparatus includes a tiller plate 26 that is configured to be pivotally connected to the stern 24 of the watercraft 22 along the steering axis A for turning the blade 48. The tiller plate 26 is substantially planar, and has a central portion 30, a left portion 32 and a right portion 34. The left and right portions 32, 34 taper inwardly as they extend away from the central portion 30. The central portion 30 has a front region 36 and a rear region 38. The front region 36 defines a steering bore 39 along the steering axis A, and the rear region 36 defines a rectangular slot 40 that extends toward the steering bore 38. The tiller plate 26 may have various shapes and sizes.

[0028] A bayonet pin 42 extends along the steering axis A and has a threaded end 44 threadedly connected to the steering bore 38. The bayonet pin 42 also has cylindrical region 46 that is configured to be rotatably coupled to a bracket 25 at the stern 24 of the watercraft 22. The left portion 30 and the right portion 32 of the tiller plate 26 each define a line slot 50, each for receiving a steering line to permit a user to pivot the tiller plate 26 about the steering axis A in response to pulling on the steering lines to steer the blade 48. Other arrangements may be used to pivotally connect the rudder assembly 20 to the stern of the watercraft 22.

[0029] As best shown in FIGS. 8-9, a block base 54 is coupled to a top of the tiller plate 26. The block base 54 has a forward portion 56 and a rearward portion 58, with the rearward portion 58 extending downwardly beyond the forward portion 56 and received by the rectangular slot 40 of the tiller plate 26. The forward portion 56 of the block base 54 defines a block slot (not shown) along the steering axis A that is configured to threadedly receive the threaded end 44 of the bayonet pin 42, and defines a cylindrical channel 62 about the block slot. A washer 64 and nut 66 are disposed about and connected to the threaded end 44 of the bayonet pin 42 in the cylindrical channel 62 for securing the block base 54 to the bayonet pin 42. A cap 68 is positioned over the washer 64 and nut 66 in the cylindrical channel 62. A cable guide 72 overlies and is connected to a top of the block base 54. A bottom of the cable guide 72 defines a cable channel 74 for receiving the cable 52. A guide cap 73 is coupled to a top of the cable guide 72 for covering the cable guide 72. A top of the guide cap 73 defines a support recess 67 for supporting and aligning the blade in the stowed position.

[0030] The blade 48 has a connecting region 76 at its top and extends downwardly along an edge region 78. The connecting region 76 has a first side 80 and a second side 82 opposite the first side 80 relative to the pivot axis B. The connecting region 76 further defines a connection passage 84A that extends therethrough along the pivot axis B. The first side 80 of the connecting region 76 defines a substantially circular first recess 86 about the connection passage 84. The first side 80 of the connecting region 76 also presents a first shelf 88 that extends radially into the first recess 86.

[0031] A blade casing 90A, 90B has a first blade casing component 90A that overlies the first side 80 of the connecting region 76 of the blade 48. The blade casing 90A, 90B also has a second blade casing component 90B that overlies the second side 82 of the connecting region 76 of the blade 48 and is coupled to the first blade casing component 90A via one or more fasteners 113, with the connecting region 76 of the blade 48 located between the first and second blade casing components 90A, 90B relative to the pivot axis B. The first and second blade casing components 90A, 90B each define a connection passage 84B, 84C.

[0032] The second blade casing component 90B has an inner side 92 that faces the blade 48, and an outer side 94 opposite the inner side 92. A tube 96 extends along the pivot axis B from the inner side 92 and through the connection passage 84A of the blade 48 such that the blade 48 is pivotable relative to the first and second blade casing components 90A, 90B about the pivot axis B along the tube 96. The tube 96 defines a connection passage 84C along the pivot axis B. Furthermore, an end of the tube 96 defines a tube notch 97 that extends in the direction of the pivot axis B.

[0033] The first and second blade casing components 90A, 90B each have an arc-shaped ramp 98A, 98B that extends partially along an outer perimeter of the blade casing component 90A, 90B. Each of the ramps 98A, 98B circumferentially terminates at a first pivot tab 100A, 100B. The connecting region 76 of the blade 48 presents a second pivot tab 102 along an edge of the blade 48 which is in circumferential alignment with the first pivot tab 100A, 100B of the blade casing 90A, 90B relative to the pivot axis B. As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 6-7, the cable 52 is attached to one of the first and second blade casing components 90A, 90B near the first pivot tab 100A, 100B and overlies an outer circumference of the ramps 98A, 98B while in the stowed position. When the blade 48 is in the stowed position and cable 52 is pulled, the blade casing 90A, 90B rotates around pivot axis B toward the deployed position. This movement is due to the cable's 52 arrangement around ramps 98A, 98B, which causes the cable 52 to uncoil from these ramps 98A, 98B during rotation. Rotation back to the stowed position causes the cable 52 to coil along the ramps 98A, 98B again.

[0034] As will be discussed in further detail below, a second spring 130 biases the blade casing 90A, 90B about the pivot axis B from the deployed position to the stowed position. Engagement of the first pivot tabs 100A, 100B of the blade casing 90A, 90B against the second pivot tabs 102 of the blade 48 causes the blade 48 to pivot with the blade casing 90A, 90B back to the stowed position. However, as will be discussed below, the blade 48 is pivotable from the deployed position into deflected positions independently of blade casing 90A, 90B to provide deflecting of the blade 48 during impacting of the blade 48 against the bed of the body of water or underwater debris. This independent deflecting is possible because the pivot tabs 100A, 100B, 102 only engage one another when the blade casing 90A, 90B rotates toward the stowed position. A first torsion spring 104 biases the blade 48 back to the deployed position.

[0035] More particularly, the first torsion spring 104 is received in the first recess 86 of the connecting region 76 of the blade 48. The first torsion spring 104 has an internal arm 106 and an external arm 108. The internal arm 106 is received in the tube notch 97 of the tube 96 of the second blade casing component 90B. The external arm 108 is aligned with the first shelf 88 for engaging the first shelf 88 in response to rotation of the first torsion spring 104. During assembly, the arms 106, 108 of the first torsion spring 104 are connected in a manner such that the first torsion spring 104 does not exert a biasing force when the blade 84 is in the deployed position, but rotationally biases the blade 84 toward the deployed position relative to the blade casing 90A, 90B when the blade 84 back pivots relative to the blade casing 90A, 90B into the deflected positions. This permits the blade 84 to return to the deployed position after deflecting during contact with the bed of the body of water or underwater debris. According to embodiments, a desired biasing force applied by the first torsion spring 104 could be established by winding the first torsion spring 104 during installation.

[0036] A housing 110A, 110B has a first housing plate 110A that overlies the first blade casing component 90A, and a second housing plate 110B that overlies the second blade casing component 90B such that the first and second blade casing components 90A, 90B are located between the first and second housing plates 110A, 110B. The first and second housing plates 110A, 110B are fixed to the block base 54 with a plurality of block fasteners 112. The first and second housing plates 110A, 110B define connection passages 84D, 84E along the pivot axis B. The housing 110A, 110B may alternatively be integrally connected to the block base 54. For example, both components may be injection molded as one component.

[0037] The outer side 94 of the second blade casing component 90B defines a second recess 114 that is substantially circular-shaped. The outer side 94 of the second blade casing component 90B also presents a second shelf 116 that extends radially into the second recess 114.

[0038] A tension handle 118 has a dial 120 for being gripped by a user to permit the user to rotate the tension handle 118, and a planar face 122 opposite the dial 120. The tension handle 118 also has a cylinder 124 that extends from the planar face 122 and is received by the connection passages 84A-E of the housing 110A, 110B, blade casing 90A, 90B and blade 84 along the pivot axis B. A pair of tension fingers 126 extend from the planar face 122 of the tension handle 118 on circumferentially opposite sides of the cylinder 124 and are configured to be received by tension orifices 127 on the first housing plate 110A to rotationally fix the tension handle 118 to the first housing plate 110A at a desired position. An end of the cylinder 124 defines a spring slot 128 that extends axially therein.

[0039] A second torsion spring 130 is received in the second recess 114 of the second blade casing component 90B. The second torsion spring 130 has an internal arm 132 and an external arm 134. The internal arm 132 is received in the spring slot 128 of the cylinder 124 of the tension handle 118, and the external arm 134 is aligned with, and in engagement with the second shelf 116 of the second blade casing component 90B. During assembly, the blade 48 is initially positioned about relative to the blade casing 90A, 90B in the stowed position. The cylinder 124 of the tension handle 118 is then inserted into the connection passages 84A, B, C of the blade 48 and blade casing 90A, 90B with the internal arm 132 of the second torsion spring 130 in the spring slot 128 of the cylinder 124. The tension fingers 126 of the tension handle 118 are inserted into the tension orifices 129 of the first housing plate 110A to rotationally fix the tension handle 118. Accordingly, in stowed position, there is no rotational biasing force applied by the second torsion spring 130, but a tension force is created as the cable 52 is pulled and the blade 48 and blade casing 90A, 90B are rotated into the deployed position.

[0040] A pin 136 is receivable by a passage at the end of the cylinder 124 to axially secure the tension handle 118 in place. A blade hook 138 is configured to overlie the blade 48 when the blade 48 is in the stowed position to inhibit movement of the blade 48 away from the stowed position. A line and block 140 are connected to the blade hook 138 and are configured to be fixed to the cable guide 72 for limiting movement of the cable 52. It should be appreciated that other mechanisms could be used to hold the blade 48 in the stowed position.

[0041] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms a, an, and the may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms comprises, comprising, including, and having, are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in that particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

[0042] When an element or layer is referred to as being on, engaged to, connected to, or coupled to another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or later, or intervening element or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being directly on, directly engaged to, directly connected to, or directly coupled to another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., between versus directly between, adjacent versus directly adjacent, etc.). As used herein, the term and/or includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0043] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to described various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as first, second, and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

[0044] Spatially relative terms, such as inner, outer, beneath, below, lower, above, upper, and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as below or beneath other elements or features would then be oriented above the other elements or features. Thus, the example term below can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0045] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in any embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.