US3961590A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Catamaran watercraft
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-09-19
•
Granted: 1976-06-08
•
Expires: 1994-09-19
Abstract
Abstract A catamaran watercraft having a pair of parallel pontoons which pivot along their respective longitudinal axes. The pontoons are each preferably triangular in cross section, having a planar bottom surface and a linear top surface forming the longitudinal axis of rotation. A deck is hingedly supported by the linear top surface of each pontoon so as to be pivotable about the longitudinal axis of the pontoon. A control bar member or control wheel is included for simultaneously pivoting the pontoons relative to the deck. The rotational movement of the pontoons provides directional control of the watercraft without the use of a rudder.
Inventors
- 👤 Gust Kefalos
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 18:00
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B1/00; B63B1/02; B63B1/10; B63B1/14; B63B2001/145
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A watercraft of the catamaran type comprising: a pair of parallel pontoons, each pontoon having a substantially linear top surface forming a longitudinal axis of rotation, and widening downwardly and outwardly to a larger substantially planar bottom surface, with the bow portion of the bottom surface curving upward; a deck supported by the top surface of each of the pontoons and secured to each pontoon so as to be pivotable about the longitudinal axis of that pontoon; and control means attached to the pontoons for pivoting the pontoons relative to the deck such that rotational movement of either pontoon about its longitudinal axis causes a correlative rotational movement of the other pontoon about its longitudinal axis, whereby the rotation of the pontoons serves as the primary steering means for the watercraft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
A watercraft of the catamaran type comprising: a pair of parallel pontoons, each pontoon having a substantially linear top surface forming a longitudinal axis of rotation, and widening downwardly and outwardly to a larger substantially planar bottom surface, with the bow portion of the bottom surface curving upward; a deck supported by the top surface of each of the pontoons and secured to each pontoon so as to be pivotable about the longitudinal axis of that pontoon; and control means attached to the pontoons for pivoting the pontoons relative to the deck such that rotational movement of either pontoon about its longitudinal axis causes a correlative rotational movement of the other pontoon about its longitudinal axis, whereby the rotation of the pontoons serves as the primary steering means for the watercraft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A watercraft as defined in claim 1 wherein each of the pontoons is of triangular cross-section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A watercraft as defined in claim 1 wherein the pontoons are relatively displaced longitudinally.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A watercraft as defined in claim 1 wherein the deck remains substantially horizontal when the pontoons are pivoted relative to the deck.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
A watercraft as defined in claim 1 wherein the control means comprises a pair of elongated members, each of which is attached to one of the pontoons, and extends upward perpendicular to the axis of rotation of that pontoon, and a third member interconnecting the pair of elongated members.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
A watercraft as defined in claim 1 wherein the control means comprises an elongated member, attached to one of the pontoons and extending upward perpendicular to the axis of that pontoon, and a rigid coupling member interconnecting the pontoons.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A watercraft as defined in claim 1 wherein the control means comprises a wheel, and flexible coupling means secured to the wheel and to the pontoons such that rotation of the wheel causes rotational movement of both pontoons.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2106432A
Cited
US2984845A
Cited
US3116708A
Cited
US3265026A
Cited
US3232261A
Cited
US3310019A
Cited
US3566819A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-06-08 | 1979-12-08 | 1980-06-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-06-08 | 1983-12-08 | 1984-06-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-06-08 | 1987-12-08 | 1988-06-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |