US3568618A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Trim tab
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-04-29
•
Granted: 1971-03-09
•
Expires: 1989-04-29
Abstract
Abstract A pair of spaced trim tabs are supported at the bottom of the transom of a boat to extend therebelow when the boat is at rest and when operating at a low speed. Each tab is pivotally supported by a bracket and is urged by a spring to a lowered position below the boat bottom limited to an angular position by a stop engagement between the tabs and the brackets.
Inventors
- 👤 William A Bedford Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 15:41
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B39/00; B63B39/06; B63B39/061
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
In a trim tab for a boat, a bracket securable to the lower bottom portion of the boat transom, a tab pivoted to said bracket, and metal spring means of U-shape having a fixed and a free leg, the free leg being located between the bracket and tab providing direct engagement with the tab for urging said tab downwardly and for resisting the upward pivotal movement of the tab with a predetermined force.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
73 words
In a trim tab for a boat, a bracket securable to the lower bottom portion of the boat transom, a tab pivoted to said bracket, and metal spring means of U-shape having a fixed and a free leg, the free leg being located between the bracket and tab providing direct engagement with the tab for urging said tab downwardly and for resisting the upward pivotal movement of the tab with a predetermined force.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
In a trim tab for a boat as recited in claim 1, wherein stop means are provided between the tab and bracket for limiting the downward hinging movement of the tab by said spring means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
In a trim tab for a boat as recited in claim 2, wherein the bracket has sleeves at the ends and wherein the tab has sleeve means and a projecting lip disposable between the bracket sleeves, said lip being engaged by the free leg of said spring means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
In a trim tab as recited in claim 3, wherein the spring means is made from a strip of spring steel with one leg supported on the bracket and the opposite leg extending rearwardly in spaced relation thereto in engagement with said lip.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
In a trim tab as recited in claim 4, wherein the bottom edge of the rearwardly extending free leg engages the top of the lip for retaining the tab in maximum upward position when manually moved thereto.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
In a trim tab as recited in claim 5, wherein the side edges of the U-shaped spring means taper toward each other to change the spring rate of the free leg.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
In a trim tab as recited in claim 6, wherein a maximum resistance is provided between the free leg of the spring means and the lip when the tab engages the stop means which resistance reduces as the tab pivots upwardly.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3200782A
Cited
US3404651A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-03-08 | 1974-09-07 | 1975-03-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-08 | 1978-09-07 | 1979-03-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-08 | 1982-09-07 | 1983-03-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |