Rudder system

• US 8,276,536 B2
• Filed: 02/04/2008
• Issued: 10/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James Winsky, Merle W. Winsky
• Original Assignee: James Winsky, Merle W. Winsky
• Inventors: Winsky, James, Winsky, Merle W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Olson, Lars A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Polay, Andrew
• Application Number:
  US12/025,118
• Publication Number:
  US 20090198395A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,702 Days
• Field of Search: 114/162, 114/144.A, 114/347, 440/6, 440/7, 440/21, 440/51, 440/53, 440/25
• US Class Current: 114/347
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 34/20 Canoes, kayaks or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 34/26 Accessories for canoes, kayaks or the like effecting propulsion by muscle power B63H16/00; outboard propulsion units B63H20/00
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 21/17 by electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 25/06 Steering by rudders by rudders carrying propellers B63H25/42

Abstract

A rudder system for a kayak includes a rudder configured for pivotal attachment to the kayak and a propeller housed in and extending from the rudder. A battery is in electrical communication with the propeller to selectively power the propeller. The kayak system includes an input in electrical communication with the propeller to operatively actuate the propeller, the input being accessible from inside the kayak. A sensor is operatively coupled to the kayak to determine a relative speed thereof. A processor is in data communication with the sensor and propeller, the processor including programming to determine a necessary propeller speed. The processor is in data communication with the input so as to establish the desired relative speed of the kayak. The propeller includes at least two blades and the propeller motor is housed in the rudder.

Claims

1. A rudder system for a kayak, said rudder system comprising:

a rudder configured for pivotable attachment to said kayak;

a propeller coupled to said rudder;

a battery in electrical communication with said propeller to selectively power said propeller;

an input in electrical communication with said propeller and configured to operatively actuate said propeller, said input being accessible from inside said kayak;

first and second pedal assemblies;

each said pedal assembly having a stationary rail configured for attachment to said kayak, an adjustable rail slidably coupled to said stationary rail, and a pedal fixedly coupled to said adjustable rail;

a first linkage coupled to said rudder and at least one of said adjustable rail and said pedal of said first pedal assembly;

a second linkage coupled to said rudder and at least one of said adjustable rail and said pedal of said second pedal assembly, whereby movement of one said pedal relative to a respective stationary rail causes said rudder to move to one side and movement of another said pedal relative to a respective stationary rail causes said rudder to move to another side;

said rudder is configured to move about a horizontally situated pivot bolt between an upwardly retracted configuration and a downwardly extended configuration;

a pulley operatively coupled to said kayak and having a rope attached to said rudder that is configured to selectively move said rudder between said upwardly retracted and said downwardly extended configurations;

said first linkage is at least one of a cable, a chain, and a rod; and

said second linkage is at least one of a cable, a chain, and a rod;

a sensor operatively coupled to said kayak and configured to determine a relative speed of said kayak;

a processor in data communication with said sensor and said propeller;

wherein said processor is in data communication with said input to establish said desired relative speed of said kayak;

programming in said processor that, when executed, causes said sensor to determine a relative speed of said kayak;

programming in said processor that, when executed, causes said processor to determine a necessary propeller speed to achieve a desired relative speed of said kayak;

programming in said processor that, when executed, causes said processor, to actuate said propeller to rotate at said necessary propeller speed;

programming in said processor that, when executed, determines said necessary propeller speed at predetermined time intervals; and

wherein said input includes a plurality of settings corresponding to respective desired propeller speeds to operatively actuate said propeller at said respective desired propeller speeds.

2. The rudder assembly of claim 1, wherein said input includes a plurality of settings corresponding to respective desired propeller speeds to operatively actuate said propeller at said respective desired propeller speeds.

3. The rudder assembly of claim 2, wherein:

said propeller includes a motor and at least two blades selectively rotated by said motor;

said propeller motor is housed in said rudder;

said propeller blades extend from said rudder;

said battery is located outside said rudder;

wiring extends through said rudder to allow electrical communication between said battery and said propeller motor;

said rudder includes a steering portion extending in a generally vertical direction and a linkage attachment portion extending bilaterally to said steering portion; and

said first and second linkages are coupled to said linkage attachment portion.

4. The rudder assembly of claim 3, wherein:

said pedal of said first pedal assembly is movably coupled to said adjustable rail of said first pedal assembly; and

said pedal of said second pedal assembly is movably coupled to said adjustable rail of said second pedal assembly.

5. The rudder assembly of claim 1, wherein:

said pedal of said first pedal assembly is movably coupled to said adjustable rail of said first pedal assembly; and

said pedal of said second pedal assembly is movably coupled to said adjustable rail of said second pedal assembly.