US4008677A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Retractible rudder
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-10-02
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Granted: 1977-02-22
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Expires: 1995-10-02
Abstract
Abstract A transom mounted retractible rudder for sailboats or other small vessels. A rudder blade is pivotally mounted on a lower portion of a rudder stock. By means of a handle located adjacent the stern of the boat and connected through a linkage to the rudder blade, a crew member can raise and lower the rudder blade between a fully retracted position and a fully extended position. The handle and a dial on the rudder stock cooperate to provide an indication of the attitude and depth of the rudder blade at any given time.
Inventors
- 👤 David Hazard Wordell, Sr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 13:17
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63H; B63H25/00; B63H25/06; B63H25/38; B63H25/382; B63H2025/384; B63H2025/385
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
In combination with a rudder stock secured against vertical movement and mounted for yaw movement adjacent the stern of a vessel, the improvement comprising: a rudder blade pivotally mounted on a lower portion of said rudder stock; pivot means mounting said rudder blade for movement about an axis transverse to the plane of said rudder stock for movement between a retracted and an extended position; operative means mounted on said rudder stock and rigidly connected to said rudder blade for moving said rudder blade between said retracted and extended positions; first stop means defining said retracted position and second stop means defining said extended position; and fastening means associated with said pivot means for releasably fixing said rudder blade in any one of an infinite number of positions intermediate said retracted and extended positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
In combination with a rudder stock secured against vertical movement and mounted for yaw movement adjacent the stern of a vessel, the improvement comprising: a rudder blade pivotally mounted on a lower portion of said rudder stock; pivot means mounting said rudder blade for movement about an axis transverse to the plane of said rudder stock for movement between a retracted and an extended position; operative means mounted on said rudder stock and rigidly connected to said rudder blade for moving said rudder blade between said retracted and extended positions; first stop means defining said retracted position and second stop means defining said extended position; and fastening means associated with said pivot means for releasably fixing said rudder blade in any one of an infinite number of positions intermediate said retracted and extended positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 including indicating means remote from said rudder blade for continuously indicating all positions assumed thereby between and including said retracted and extended positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said operative means includes a crank pivotally mounted on said rudder stock; and a rod extending between said crank and said rudder blade and pivotally mounted, respectively, to said crank and said rudder blade whereby rotation of said crank between a first and a second position results in movement of said rudder blade between said retracted and extended positions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein said crank includes an integral foot member having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to a primary axis of said rudder blade whereby said foot member indicates all positions assumed by said rudder blade between said retracted and extended positions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination as set forth in claim 4 including a handle removably attached with said foot member for rotation of said crank and resulting movement of said rudder blade between said retracted and extended positions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
The combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein said crank includes an integral foot member having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to a primary axis of said rudder blade and including a calibrated dial fixed to said rudder stock, said foot member responsive to the position of said rudder blade for indicating on said dial the position and the depth of said rudder blade.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
184 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said rudder stock has a trailing edge and wherein said operative means includes a crank pivotally mounted on said rudder stock; a rod extending between said crank and said rudder blade and positioned aft of said rudder stock but lying substantially in the plane thereof; a crank pin having an axis transverse of the plane of said rudder stock fixed to said crank and pivotally connected to one end of said rod, the other end of said rod being pivotally connected to said rudder blade adjacent the trailing edge thereof; the relationship between said trailing edge of said rudder blade and said rudder stock being such that when said rudder blade is in said retracted position, the trailing edge of said rudder blade engages said rudder stock preventing further movement of said rudder blade; and the relationship between said crank pin and said rudder blade being such that when said rudder blade is in said extended position, said crank pin engages the trailing edge of said rudder stock preventing further movement of said rudder blade.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
The combination as set forth in claim 7 wherein said crank includes an integral foot member having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the trailing edge of said rudder blade and including a calibrated dial fixed to said rudder stock, said foot member responsive to the position of said rudder blade for indicating on said dial the position and the depth of said rudder blade.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination as set forth in claim 8 including a handle removably attached with said foot member for rotation of said crank and resulting movement of said rudder blade between said retracted and extended positions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination as set forth in claim 7 including fastening means associated with said pivot means for releasably fixing said rudder blade in selected positions intermediate said retracted and extended positions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-02-22 | 1980-08-23 | 1981-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-02-22 | 1984-08-23 | 1985-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-02-22 | 1988-08-23 | 1989-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |