US4694770A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Watercraft stabilizing flotation structure
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1984-07-30
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Granted: 1987-09-22
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Expires: 2004-07-30
Abstract
Abstract A watercraft stabilizing flotation structure comprising two hulls (23) (25) that surround the outside perimeter of a single-person ski-type powered watercraft to extend the surface area in contact with the water. A seat (36) located at the stern allows the operator to sit during operation of the craft. A removable pin (34) secures the placement of the watercraft at the bow and a pair of straps and buckles (27) hold the hulls (23) and (25) together. The hulls are hollow and watertight providing a flotation chamber for the structure. In another embodiment a set of running lights (48), (50) and (52) are provided for operation in navigable waters. The lights are wired integral with the structure and are energized either by the watercraft's ignition system or an independent battery. A mechanically operated thrust reverser (54) may also be incorporated adjacent to the back of the seat assembly (36), behind the water discharge, to allow the watercraft to reverse direction or add braking capability.
Inventors
- 👤 William M. Kitner
- 👤 James B. Hart
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 17:32
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B34/00; B63B34/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
A watercraft stabilizing floatation structure attached to a self-propelled watercraft comprising: (a) a forward hull having a front, rear, sides and a floatation chamber therein, said rear having a female recess, (b) an aft hull having a front, rear, sides with a floatation chamber therein, said front having a raised male boss in alignment with said female recess and said rear having an integral seat connecting the sides in bridge fashion, (c) side attaching means disposed upon each side of said forward and aft hull in such a manner as to compressibly couple them together when mating male boss and corresponding female recesses are aligned, and, (d) a recessed channel integral with said hulls on a horizontal plane contiguous to and of a shape conforming to a outwardly extending separation rail on said watercraft for retention of said hulls on said sides, said hulls adapted to be retained to said watercraft along each side and front for increasing stability to said watercraft when stationary within the water by extending the lateral floatation surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
173 words
A watercraft stabilizing floatation structure attached to a self-propelled watercraft comprising: (a) a forward hull having a front, rear, sides and a floatation chamber therein, said rear having a female recess, (b) an aft hull having a front, rear, sides with a floatation chamber therein, said front having a raised male boss in alignment with said female recess and said rear having an integral seat connecting the sides in bridge fashion, (c) side attaching means disposed upon each side of said forward and aft hull in such a manner as to compressibly couple them together when mating male boss and corresponding female recesses are aligned, and, (d) a recessed channel integral with said hulls on a horizontal plane contiguous to and of a shape conforming to a outwardly extending separation rail on said watercraft for retention of said hulls on said sides, said hulls adapted to be retained to said watercraft along each side and front for increasing stability to said watercraft when stationary within the water by extending the lateral floatation surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The structure as specified in claim 1 wherein said hulls are hollow and watertight.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The structure as specified in claim 1 wherein the inside surface of said hulls are shaped to conform to the respective outside surface of said watercraft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The structure as specified in claim 1 wherein the inner section of the underside of said hulls are configured to blend into the existing hull design of said watercraft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The structure as specified in claim 1 wherein said side attaching means further comprises a thermoplastic webbing disposed upon each side of said forward hull and aft hull in parallel relationship and a buckle with an over-center latch removably connected therebetween.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The structure as specified in claim 1 further comprising a manually operated thrust reverser or braking device positioned directly behind the watercraft discharge outlet of the propulsion system in such a manner that the discharge pressurized water impinges thereupon reversing the direction of said watercraft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
The structure as specified in claim 1 wherein said forward and aft hulls further comprise an integral sponson type rib formed away from the bottom corner of said watercraft on each side leaving a vertical gap the entire length of the structure in tunnel hull fashion providing stabilization and lift while propelled upon the water.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
The structure as specified in claim 1 further comprising a hollow wedge box in rectangular shape having a width and height that allows said box to securely fit under said integral seat, said box includes a wedge box lid having box locking means that securely maintains said lid to said box.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The structure of claim 8 wherein said box locking means further comprises an attachment boss protruding upwardly from top surface of said box and a mating female recess within the bottom side of said integral seat in communication therebetween.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The structure of claim 8 wherein said wedge box lid further comprises a lid beverage well on its top surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
174 words
A watercraft stabilizing floatation structure attached to a watercraft comprising: (a) a pair of opposed hulls having a front, rear, sides and floatation chambers therein adapted to be affixed to said watercraft along each side and front for increasing stability to said watercraft when stationary within the water by extending the lateral floatation surface, (b) a front attaching means for securing said hulls together at said front, coupling said watercraft at the bow thereof, (c) a recessed channel integral with said hulls on a horizontal plane contiguous to and of a shape conforming to a outwardly extending separation rail of said watercraft (body) for retention of said hulls on said sides, (d) a seat having a bottom, and legs with rear attaching means removably joining said hulls together at said rear connecting the floatation structure together, also furnishing a surface allowing an operator to be seated at a level above said watercraft, and, (e) a set of running lights mounted to said structure for position indication and safety protection while operating within controlled waters.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
174 words
A watercraft stabilizing floatation structure attached to a watercraft comprising: (a) a pair of opposed hulls having a front, rear, sides and floatation chambers therein adapted to be affixed to said watercraft along each side and front for increasing stability to said watercraft when stationary within the water by extending the lateral floatation surface, (b) a front attaching means for securing said hulls together at said front, coupling said watercraft at the bow thereof, (c) a recessed channel integral with said hulls on a horizontal plane contiguous to and of a shape conforming to a outwardly extending separation rail of said watercraft (body) for retention of said hulls on said sides, (d) a seat having a bottom, and legs with rear attaching means removably joining said hulls together at said rear connecting the floatation structure together, also furnishing a surface allowing an operator to be seated at a level above said watercraft, and, (e) a set of running lights mounted to said structure for position indication and safety protection while operating within controlled waters.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The structure as specified in claim 11 wherein said hulls are hollow and watertight.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The structure as specified in claim 12 wherein said hollow hulls are filled with a rigid foam.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The structure as specified in claim 11 wherein the inside surface of said hulls are shaped to conform to the respective outside surface of said watercraft.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The structure as specified in claim 11 wherein the underside of said hulls are configured to blend into the existing hull design of said watercraft.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
The structure as specified in claim 11 wherein said front attaching means further comprises a removable pin, having retention means, positioned within each of the pair of hulls and said watercraft providing manual detachment thereof.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
61 words
The structure as specified in claim 11 further characterized in that said seat with rear attaching means includes a bracket having a surface contiguous with each hull, at the rear, integral with said seat removably attached therewith providing structural connection between said hulls, with said seat further containing a back that is connected to said bottom and legs for operators comfort.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
The structure as specified in claim 11 wherein said set of running lights are electrically connected to said watercraft utilizing the ignition system thereof, and are located on the front and back of said structure.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The structure of claim 11 wherein said lights are powered by an independent separate battery.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
52 words
The structure as specified in claim 11 further comprising a manually operated thrust reverser positioned directly behind the watercraft discharge outlet of the propulsion system in such a manner that the discharge pressurized water impinges thereupon allowing the direction of said watercraft to be reversed and/or serves as a watercraft braking device.
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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) | 1990-09-21 | 1991-03-23 | 1991-09-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-09-21 | 1995-03-23 | 1995-09-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-09-21 | 1999-03-23 | 1999-09-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |