Patent US1114160A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5859683A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4294184A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4294184A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multi-hull steering system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1979-04-06
•
Granted: 1981-10-13
•
Expires: 1999-04-06
Abstract
Abstract A multi-hull craft steering system having a plurality of hulls made from flexible envelopes inflated to maintain buoyancy. One of the hulls is located between the remaining hulls and is pivotally mounted for controlling the angular variation in azimuth. The hull is located ahead of the remaining hulls to permit rotation without interference. The hulls have a variable track wherein the distance between the outer hulls may be selected and locked. The craft is provided with a means for angularly rotating the outer hulls with respect to the longitudinal axis of the craft to permit first working position and a second stowed position.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernd Heinrich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 06:19
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B1/00; B63B1/02; B63B1/10; B63B1/12; B63B1/125; B63B1/14; B63B2001/145
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
211 words
A multi-hull craft steering system comprising: a frame member; a plurality of hulls each constructed from flexible envelopes pneumatically inflated to obtain buoyancy, said hulls being supported by a trunion mounted to said frame member, each of said trunions having a hollow body enveloping one of said flexible envelopes near a mid-region of said envelopes, the upper surface of each of said hollow bodies extending longitudinally to a greater extent than the remainder of said bodies, wherein one of said hulls is a middle steering hull pivotally mounted for controlled angular variation in azimuth, said middle hull located ahead of the remaining hulls to at least an extent sufficient to permit rotation of said middle hull to avoid interference with the bows of the remaining hulls during such angular variation whereby said craft is steered; said outer hulls having a variable track therebetween, whereby said hulls are selectivley locatable in a discrete number of locations; a locking means for maintaining said hulls at one of said locations; and means for angularly rotating the outer hulls away from the longitudinal axis of said craft about a hinge means connected to said frame from a first working position to a second stowed position, said stowed position permitting transportation and storage of said craft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
211 words
A multi-hull craft steering system comprising: a frame member; a plurality of hulls each constructed from flexible envelopes pneumatically inflated to obtain buoyancy, said hulls being supported by a trunion mounted to said frame member, each of said trunions having a hollow body enveloping one of said flexible envelopes near a mid-region of said envelopes, the upper surface of each of said hollow bodies extending longitudinally to a greater extent than the remainder of said bodies, wherein one of said hulls is a middle steering hull pivotally mounted for controlled angular variation in azimuth, said middle hull located ahead of the remaining hulls to at least an extent sufficient to permit rotation of said middle hull to avoid interference with the bows of the remaining hulls during such angular variation whereby said craft is steered; said outer hulls having a variable track therebetween, whereby said hulls are selectivley locatable in a discrete number of locations; a locking means for maintaining said hulls at one of said locations; and means for angularly rotating the outer hulls away from the longitudinal axis of said craft about a hinge means connected to said frame from a first working position to a second stowed position, said stowed position permitting transportation and storage of said craft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A multi-hull craft steering system as claimed in any one of claim 1, wherein each said hull comprises a unitary hollow envelope.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A multi-hull craft steering system as claimed in any one of claim 1, wherein each said hull cmprises an outer protective casing enclosing therein an inner inflatable tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A multi-hull craft steering system as claimed in any one of claim 1, wherein each said hull has a stiffening ferrule, formed from rigid material, applied fittingly to the leading end thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
A multi-hull craft steering system as claimed in any one of claim 1, wherein each said hull is adapted to be repalced by a road wheel temporarily lockable with respect to said frame to thereby convert said craft to a land yacht.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A mult-hull craft as claimed in claim 1, having three of said hulls, to thereby constitute a trimaran.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2162134A
Cited
US2351542A
Cited
US3172134A
Cited
US3395664A
Cited
US3593684A
Cited
US3846858A
Cited
US3870004A
Cited
DE2649557A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-10-12 | 1985-04-13 | 1985-10-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-10-12 | 1989-04-13 | 1989-10-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-10-12 | 1993-04-13 | 1993-10-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |