Patent US3796177A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3796177A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Watercraft
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-12-06
•
Granted: 1974-03-12
•
Expires: 1991-12-06
Abstract
Abstract A watercraft is disclosed having an upwardly and aftwardly sloping central hull with a plurality of longitudinally-spaced drives located on parallel, distinct, longitudinally-extending axes to provide an efficient propeller arrangement with reduced drag from water turbulence. A pair of pontoons flank the central hull to compensate for the aftwardly-progressive reduction in the central hull displacement due to the upwardly-sloped hull and to provide efficient planing surfaces.
Inventors
- 👤 J Szpytman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 06:32
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B1/00; B63B1/16; B63B1/18; B63B1/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A craft which is at least partially water borne when forwardly propelled along the longitudinal axis of the craft including in combination: a hull having a longitudinally extending central portion and longitudinally extending side portions in cooperative relationship,; and propulsion means for propelling said craft including a plurality of longitudinally disposed drive means spaced sidewardly from each other and from the front to the rear of said central hull portion, said central portion being defined in part by upwardly and aftwardly sloping surfaces with a pair of said plurality of drive means being horizontally and vertically spaced adjacent to the ends of said surfaces with the vertical offset of said plurality of drive means being in accordance with said upwardly sloping longitudinally spaced surfaces.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
A craft which is at least partially water borne when forwardly propelled along the longitudinal axis of the craft including in combination: a hull having a longitudinally extending central portion and longitudinally extending side portions in cooperative relationship,; and propulsion means for propelling said craft including a plurality of longitudinally disposed drive means spaced sidewardly from each other and from the front to the rear of said central hull portion, said central portion being defined in part by upwardly and aftwardly sloping surfaces with a pair of said plurality of drive means being horizontally and vertically spaced adjacent to the ends of said surfaces with the vertical offset of said plurality of drive means being in accordance with said upwardly sloping longitudinally spaced surfaces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
A craft according to claim 1 wherein said upwardly and aftwardly sloping surfaces are such as to establish an aftwardly-progressive decrease in buoyant displacement of said central portion when propelled forwardly, said pair of side portions being so configured as to correspondingly compensate for said aftwardly-progressive decrease in buoyancy in said central portion so that said watercraft has a substantially horizontal attitude when water borne.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A craft according to claim 2 wherein said hull side portions each further include a generally horizontally extending planing surface for providing an upwardly-directed lifting force when said craft attains planing speeds.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A craft according to claim 3 wherein said side portions are pontoons which are adapted for removal from each side of said central portion for replacement therEof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
A craft according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of drive means includes pairs of drives with each pair being disposed at substantially the same longitudinal locations and each drive of each pair being laterally separated so as to be on opposite sides of the longitudinal center of said central portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A craft according to claim 1 wherein each of said drive means includes a propeller and each of said propellers circumscribes a mutually extensive area out of any substantial interference with each other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
A craft according to claim 6 wherein said plurality of drive means includes pairs of said drives having propellers with each pair being disposed at substantially the same longitudinal location and each propeller of each drive pair being laterally spaced the same distance from the longitudinal centerline of the hull.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
A craft according to claim 7 wherein said pairs are vertically offset.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
A craft according to claim 8 wherein said drives of sequential pairs are laterally spaced to a different amount so that the combination of said vertical offset and said different amount of lateral spacing is sufficient so that said propellers circumscribe mutually exclusive areas in a vertical projected plane.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A craft according to claim 1 wherein said side portions are pontoons which are releasably secured beneath the side edges of the hull.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A craft according to claim 10 wherein said side pontoons are hollow and are filled with styrofoam.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A craft according to claim 10 wherein said side portions have runners on the inner edge providing directional stability to the hull.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A portion according to claim 10 wherein an outer upwardly extending portions on the pontoons provide protection to the sides of the hull.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-11 | 1977-09-10 | 1978-03-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-11 | 1981-09-10 | 1982-03-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-11 | 1985-09-10 | 1986-03-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |