WO2022040703A1

WO2022040703A1 - Steering and throttle system for a jet boat

Info

Publication number: WO2022040703A1
Application number: PCT/ZA2020/050043
Authority: WO
Inventors: Philip Otto
Original assignee: Philip Otto
Priority date: 2020-08-21
Filing date: 2020-08-21
Publication date: 2022-02-24

Abstract

A steering wheel and throttle system (10) for a jet boat (12), includes: (a) a steering column (14); (b) a steering wheel (16) secured to the steering column (14); (c) a first lever (18) hingedly connected to the steering wheel (16) or the steering column (14), the first lever (18) being movable between: (i) a first position, and (ii) a second position in which the first lever (18) is located closer to the steering wheel (16); (d) the first lever (18) being biased towards the first position; (e) a throttle associated with the first lever (18), such that when the first lever (18) is in the: (i) first position, the throttle is at a predetermined minimum throttle; and (ii) second position, the throttle is at a predetermined maximum throttle; (f) a reverse bucket (20); and (g) an actuator for moving the reverse bucket (20) into a neutral position when the first lever (18) is in the first position. In use, when a user releases the first lever (18), the first lever (18) moves to the first position, reducing the throttle to the predetermined minimum throttle and actuating the reverse bucket (20) into the neutral position.

Description

STEERING AND THROTTLE SYSTEM FOR A JET BOAT

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a steering and throttle system for a jet boat. More particularly, the present invention relates to a jet boat throttle control that is integrated with the jet boat’s steering wheel.

Most jet boats include a steering wheel and a separate throttle control that requires a user to remove his hand from the steering wheel to operate the throttle control. As a safety feature, many throttle controls include a kill switch that is attached to the user, such that if the user falls overboard, the skill switch is triggered, killing the motor. However, in practice, many users fail to secure the kill switch to their person.

Combining a throttle system with a steering wheel is known. For instance, W001/35047 “Device for manually driving a go-kart for people with lower-limb handicap and go-kart equipped with same”, EP0681938 “Device for transmitting acceleration, braking and like manual controls” and US4,143,734 “Manual control device for automotive vehicle” describe a steering wheel with a throttle paddle for controlling a vehicle, which paddle is biased towards a no-throttle position.

The prior art systems are not particularly suited to jet boats, as merely reducing the throttle to a minimum will still cause the jet boat to move. To limit movement of a jet boat to an acceptable degree, the jet stream has also to be redirected.

The steering and throttle mechanism according to the present invention aims to address the drawbacks of prior art and make an integrated steering wheel and throttle control system suitable for application in jet boats.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a steering wheel and throttle system for a jet boat includes: a steering column; a steering wheel secured to the steering column; a first lever hingedly connected to the steering wheel or the steering column, the first lever being movable between: (i) a first position, and (ii) a second position in which the first lever is located closer to the steering wheel; the first lever being biased towards the first position; a throttle associated with the first lever, such that when the first lever is in the: (i) first position, the throttle is at a predetermined minimum throttle; and (ii) second position, the throttle is at a predetermined maximum throttle; a reverse bucket; and an actuator for moving the reverse bucket into a neutral position when the first lever is in the first position, such that, in use, when a user releases the first lever, the first lever moves to the first position, reducing the throttle to the predetermined minimum throttle and actuating the reverse bucket into the neutral position.

Typically, the steering wheel is rotationally biased towards a neutral position in which the steering wheel, in use, steers the jet boat forward.

Generally, the steering wheel includes a second lever hingedly connected to the steering wheel or the steering column, the second lever being angularly offset about the axis of the steering wheel relative to the first lever by between 90 degrees and 270 degrees.

Preferably, the second lever is movable between: (i) a first position, and (ii) a second position in which the first lever is located closer to the steering wheel.

Typically, the second lever is biased towards the first position. Generally, the actuator moves the reverse bucket into: (i) a forward condition when the second lever is in the first position and the first lever is not in the first position; (ii) a neutral position when the second and first levers are in the first position; and (iii) a reverse condition when the second lever is in the second position.

Preferably, (i) the first lever is on the operative right of the steering wheel so as, in use, to be operable by the right hand of a user; and (ii) the second lever is on the operative left of the steering wheel so as to be operably by the left hand of a user.

Typically, the first and second levers are spaced less than 13cm from the steering wheel when the levers are in both the first and second positions, so as, in use, to be accessible to a user’s fingers while the user holds the steering wheel with both hands.

Generally, the steering wheel is D-shaped, having a flattened part along the operative top of the steering wheel when the steering wheel is in the neutral position.

Preferably, the steering wheel includes a trim and tilt button for, in use, adjusting the trim and tilt position of the jet nozzle.

Typically, the trim and tilt button is located less than 7cm radially inwards from the radial perimeter of the steering wheel.

Generally, the steering wheel and throttle system further includes a sensor for sensing when: (i) the first lever is in the first position; or (ii) the throttle is at the predetermined minimum throttle, which sensor causes the actuator to move the reverse bucket into the neutral position in response to such condition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a steering wheel and throttle lever system according to the invention; Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the steering wheel and throttle lever system in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a side view of a jet boat with the steering wheel and throttle system according to the invention;

Figure 3a is an enlarged view of a the reverse bucket in Figure 3 in the forward condition;

Figure 3b is an enlarged view of a the reverse bucket in Figure 3 in the neutral condition; and

Figure 3c is an enlarged view of the reverse bucket in Figure 3 in the reverse condition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to Figures 1 to 3, a steering wheel and throttle system 10 for a jet boat 12 includes a steering column 14, a steering wheel 16, a first lever 18 and a reverse bucket 20.

The jet boat 12 is a standard jet boat with a jet nozzle 22 for ejecting water to power the boat 12. The nozzle 22 directs water towards the back of the boat 12. The speed of the water ejecting the jet nozzle 22 is controlled by a throttle - the greater the throttle, the greater the acceleration or speed of the jet boat 12. The throttle is set between two positions: (i) a minimum throttle position, which provides for minimum flow of water through the jet nozzle 22 without stalling the jet boat 12 engine (not shown); (ii) and a maximum throttle position, which provides for maximum flow of water through the jet nozzle 22 without over-straining the jet boat 12 engine.

The reverse bucket 20 is associated with the jet nozzle 22 and is hingedly movable (as shown in Figured 3a to 3c) to redirect water flow from the nozzle 22. When the reverse bucket 20 is in the forward condition (as shown in Figure 3a), the reverse bucket permits the water to flow from the jet nozzle 22 without interruption, thereby driving the jet boat 12 forward. When the reverse bucket 20 is in the reverse condition (as shown in Figure 3c), the reverse bucket redirects the water exiting the jet nozzle 22 180 degrees. By reversing the direction of discharge from the jet nozzle 22, the reverse bucket 20 causes the jet boat 12 to drive in reverse. And, when the reverse bucket 20 is in the neutral position, the jet bucket 20 either directs water exiting the jet nozzle 22: (i) operatively downwards (as shown in Figure 3b); or (ii) substantially 50% in a first direction (e.g. backwards) and substantially 50% in a direction opposite to the first direction (e.g. forward) so as substantially to cancel out the forces generated by both jets of water and yield substantially a zero resultant force.

An actuator 23 moves the reverse bucket 20 between the forward condition, the neutral position and the reverse condition.

The first lever 18 is hingedly connected to either the steering column 14 or the steering wheel 16. Figures 1 and 2 show the first lever 18 connected to the steering wheel 16 and extending radially outwards from near the axis of rotation of the steering wheel 16. The first lever 18 is movable between a first position and a second position. As the first lever 18 moves from the first position towards the second position, the end of the first lever 18 distal the hinged connection moves closer towards the radial periphery of the steering wheel 16. A biasing means (not shown) biases the first lever 18 towards the first position.

The first lever 18 is associated with the throttle so as to increase the throttle as the first lever 18 moves from the first position towards the second position. When the first lever 18 is in the first position, the throttle is at the predetermined minimum throttle; and when the first lever 18 is in the second position, the throttle is at the predetermined maximum throttle. Furthermore, when the first lever 18 is in the first position, the actuator causes the reverse bucket 20 to move to the neutral position.

The steering wheel and throttle system 10 could include a sensor (not shown) for sensing when: (i) the first lever 18 is in the first position; or (ii) the throttle is at the predetermined minimum throttle, which sensor causes the actuator to move the reverse bucket 20 into the neutral position in response to such condition.

In use, when a user (not shown) releases the first lever 18, the first lever 18 moves to the first position, reducing the throttle to the predetermined minimum throttle and actuating the reverse bucket 20 into the neutral position. This reduces the speed of the jet boat 12 with the aim of bringing the jet boat 12 to a stop.

It will be appreciated that this system is preferable as a safety system to a kill switch attached to a user, as users frequently do not attach the kill switch to their person. The steering wheel 16 is D-shaped, having a flat portion at its operative top end (when the steering wheel 16 is in the neutral position, i.e. the dead forward position). The steering wheel 16 is rotationally biased towards the neutral position. As such, should a user release the steering wheel 16 during a turn, the steering wheel 16 will return to the neutral position, directing the jet boat 12 straight forward. Preferably, angular rotation of the steering wheel 16 is limited to 60 degrees on either side of the neutral position, so as not to require hand movement during maximum turning.

A second lever 24 is hingedly connected to either the steering column 14 or the steering wheel 16. The second lever 24 is angularly offset about the axis of rotation of the steering wheel 16 relative to the first lever 18 by between 90 degrees and 270 degrees (preferably, closerto 180 degrees). Figures 1 and 2 show the second lever 24 connected to the steering wheel 16 and extending radially outwards from near the axis of rotation of the steering wheel 16. The second lever 24 is movable between a first position and a second position. As the second lever 24 moves from the first position towards the second position, the end of the second lever 24 distal the hinged connection moves closer towards the radial periphery of the steering wheel 16. A biasing means (not shown) biases the second lever 24 towards the first position.

The second lever 24 is associated with the reverse bucket 20 to actuate the reverse bucket 20 between the reverse condition, the neutral position and the forward condition. When the second lever 24 is in the second position, the reverse bucket 20 is moved into the reverse condition, so as to reverse the jet boat 12. Releasing the second lever 24 causes the second lever 24 to move towards the first position, which actuates the reverse bucket to: (i) the neutral position, where the first lever 18 is in the first position; or (ii) the forward condition, where the first lever 18 is not in the first position. It will also be appreciated that:

• if the second lever 24 is moved to and maintained in the second position (i.e. with the reverse bucket 20 in the reverse condition) while the first lever 18 is moved to the second position, the jet boat 12 will accelerate in reverse; and

• if the second lever 24 is in the first position with the first lever 18 in the second position (full throttle), and the second lever 24 is then moved to the second position, the jet boat 12 will effect an emergency stop.

Although, the first and second levers 18 and 24 have been described as being connected to either the steering column 14 or the steering wheel 16, it is preferred that the first and second levers 18 and 24 are connected to the steering wheel 16, so as to maintain alignment with a user’s hands on the steering wheel 16. The first lever 18 is mounted on the operative right side of the steering wheel 16 so as to be operated by the right hand of a user, whereas the second lever 24 is mounted to the operative left side of the steering wheel 16 so as to be operated by the left hand of a user. Furthermore when both the first and second levers 18 and 24 are in their first and second positions, the ends of the levers 18 and 24 distal their hinged connections are spaced less than 13cm from the radial perimeter of the steering wheel 16, thereby ensuring that the levers 18 and 24 are accessible to a user’s fingers while holding the steering wheel 16 with both hands.

The steering wheel 16 also includes a rocker switch 26, which operates as a trim and tilt button for, adjusting the trim and tilt positions of the jet nozzle 22. This button 26 is located less than 7cm radially inwards from the radial perimeter of the steering wheel 16, so as to be accessible to a user’s thumb while holding onto the steering wheel 16. It will be appreciated that the single rocker switch 26 could be substituted with two buttons - a first for adjusting trim and a second for adjusting tilt.

Claims

1 . A steering wheel and throttle system for a jet boat, including: a steering column; a steering wheel secured to the steering column; a first lever hingedly connected to the steering wheel or the steering column, the first lever being movable between: (i) a first position, and (ii) a second position in which the first lever is located closer to the steering wheel; the first lever being biased towards the first position; a throttle associated with the first lever, such that when the first lever is in the: (i) first position, the throttle is at a predetermined minimum throttle; and (ii) second position, the throttle is at a predetermined maximum throttle; a reverse bucket; and an actuator for moving the reverse bucket into a neutral position when the first lever is in the first position, such that, in use, when a user releases the first lever, the first lever moves to the first position, reducing the throttle to the predetermined minimum throttle and actuating the reverse bucket into the neutral position.

2. A steering wheel and throttle system according to claim 1 , wherein the steering wheel is rotationally biased towards a neutral position in which the steering wheel, in use, steers the jet boat forward.

3. A steering wheel and throttle system according to claim 2, wherein the steering wheel includes a second lever hingedly connected to the steering wheel or the steering column, the second lever being angularly offset about the axis of the steering wheel relative to the first lever by between 90 degrees and 270 degrees.

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4. A steering wheel and throttle system according to claim 3, wherein the second lever is movable between: (i) a first position, and (ii) a second position in which the first lever is located closer to the steering wheel.

5. A steering wheel and throttle system according to claim 4, wherein the second lever is biased towards the first position.

6. A steering wheel and throttle system according to claim 5, wherein the actuator moves the reverse bucket into: (i) a forward condition when the second lever is in the first position and the first lever is not in the first position; (ii) a neutral position when the second and first levers are in the first position; and (iii) a reverse condition when the second lever is in the second position.

7. A steering wheel and throttle system according to claim 6, wherein: (i) the first lever is on the operative right of the steering wheel so as, in use, to be operable by the right hand of a user; and (ii) the second lever is on the operative left of the steering wheel so as to be operably by the left hand of a user.

8. A steering wheel and throttle system according to claim 7, wherein the first and second levers are spaced less than 13cm from the steering wheel when the levers are in both the first and second positions, so as, in use, to be accessible to a user’s fingers while the user holds the steering wheel with both hands.

9. A steering wheel and throttle system according to claim 8, wherein the steering wheel is D-shaped, having a flattened part along the operative top of the steering wheel when the steering wheel is in the neutral position.

10. A steering wheel and throttle system according to claim 9, wherein the steering wheel includes a trim and tilt button for, in use, adjusting the trim and tilt position of the jet nozzle.

11 . A steering wheel and throttle system according to claim 10, wherein the trim and tilt button is located less than 7cm radially inwards from the radial perimeter of the steering wheel.

12. A steering wheel and throttle system according to claim 11 , further including a sensor for sensing when: (i) the first lever is in the first position; or (ii) the throttle is at the

9 predetermined minimum throttle, and causing the actuator to move the reverse bucket into the neutral position in response to such condition.

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