Boat propeller
First Claim
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1. A boat propeller having a longitudinal axis, comprising:
- an inner hub assembly defining a longitudinally extending bore having an inner surface, wherein the bore extends substantially rearward concentrically about the longitudinal axis, and wherein the inner surface of the bore comprises at least one longitudinally extending slot having opposed edge surfaces, the slot extending outwardly away from the longitudinal axis; and
a central hub member having a proximal end, an opposed distal end, and an exterior surface, the exterior surface of the central hub member defining at least one longitudinally extending male rib having opposed side surfaces, wherein the exterior surface of the central hub member is sized and shaped for disposition therein the bore of the inner hub assembly such that a plurality of longitudinally extending cavities are defined, each cavity being defined by a portion of each edge surface of the slot of the inner hub assembly that faces and is spaced from a portion of a respective side surface of the rib of the central hub member; and
a plurality of resilient spacer members, wherein at least a portion of one resilient spacer member is adapted to mount therein at least a portion of one cavity such that the exterior surface of the central hub member is spaced from the inner surface of the bore.
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Abstract
A boat propeller comprising a central hub member and an inner hub assembly that defines a longitudinally extending bore having an inner surface. The exterior surface of the central hub member is sized and shaped for disposition therein the bore of the inner hub assembly in a complementary fashion. In one aspect, the propeller may also comprise a plurality of resilient spacer members positioned such that that the exterior surface of the central hub member is spaced from the inner surface of the bore.
57 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A boat propeller having a longitudinal axis, comprising:
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an inner hub assembly defining a longitudinally extending bore having an inner surface, wherein the bore extends substantially rearward concentrically about the longitudinal axis, and wherein the inner surface of the bore comprises at least one longitudinally extending slot having opposed edge surfaces, the slot extending outwardly away from the longitudinal axis; and
a central hub member having a proximal end, an opposed distal end, and an exterior surface, the exterior surface of the central hub member defining at least one longitudinally extending male rib having opposed side surfaces, wherein the exterior surface of the central hub member is sized and shaped for disposition therein the bore of the inner hub assembly such that a plurality of longitudinally extending cavities are defined, each cavity being defined by a portion of each edge surface of the slot of the inner hub assembly that faces and is spaced from a portion of a respective side surface of the rib of the central hub member; and
a plurality of resilient spacer members, wherein at least a portion of one resilient spacer member is adapted to mount therein at least a portion of one cavity such that the exterior surface of the central hub member is spaced from the inner surface of the bore. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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- 12. The boat propeller of claim 12, wherein the side surface of each rib has a curved cross-sectional shape.
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13. The boat propeller of claim 13, wherein at least a portion of each resilient spacer member has a circular cross-sectional shape.
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21. A boat propeller for a boat having a rotatable drive shaft and having a longitudinal axis, comprising:
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an inner hub assembly defining a longitudinally extending bore having an inner surface, wherein the bore extends substantially rearward concentrically about the longitudinal axis, and wherein the inner surface of the bore comprises at least one longitudinally extending slot having opposed edge surfaces, the slot extending outwardly away from the longitudinal axis; and
a central hub member having a proximal end, an opposed distal end, an interior surface, and an exterior surface, the exterior surface of the central hub member defining at least one longitudinally extending male rib having opposed side surfaces, wherein the exterior surface of the central hub member is sized and shaped for disposition therein the bore of the inner hub assembly such that a plurality of longitudinally extending cavities are defined, each cavity being defined by a portion of each edge surface of the slot of the inner hub assembly that faces and is spaced from a portion of a respective side surface of the rib of the central hub member, and wherein the central hub member further defining a longitudinally extending conduit, the conduit extending substantially rearward concentrically about the longitudinal axis;
a plurality of resilient spacer members, wherein at least a portion of one resilient spacer member is adapted to mount therein at least a portion of one cavity such that the exterior surface of the central hub member is spaced from the inner surface of the bore; and
a rotatable drive shaft sized and shaped for engagement with the conduit of the central hub member, such that rotation of the drive shaft about the longitudinal axis imparts rotation of the propeller about the longitudinal axis.
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Specification