Boat propeller
DCFirst 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, wherein the bore has a first end having a first diameter and an opposed second end having a second diameter, the first diameter being greater than the second diameter, wherein the bore tapers from the first end towards the second end, 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.
56 Citations
25 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, wherein the bore has a first end having a first diameter and an opposed second end having a second diameter, the first diameter being greater than the second diameter, wherein the bore tapers from the first end towards the second end, 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, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. 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 a top surface and 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, wherein the top surface of each rib defines a longitudinally extending groove that is configured for mounting of a bottom portion of one resilient spacer member therein such that a top portion of the resilient spacer member extends upwardly away from the top surface of the rib. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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22. 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 a top surface and 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; 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 at least one resilient band overlying a portion of the top surface of each rib and contacting adjacent members, the resilient band being positioned therebetween the interior surface of the inner hub assembly and the top surface of the rib of the central hub member. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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Specification