EP0769449B1 - Verbindung für Steuerausleger - Google Patents

Verbindung für Steuerausleger Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0769449B1
EP0769449B1 EP19960116516 EP96116516A EP0769449B1 EP 0769449 B1 EP0769449 B1 EP 0769449B1 EP 19960116516 EP19960116516 EP 19960116516 EP 96116516 A EP96116516 A EP 96116516A EP 0769449 B1 EP0769449 B1 EP 0769449B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
ball
tiller
claw
support component
connection according
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP19960116516
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0769449A1 (de
Inventor
John Robert Owen
Stephen Roy Atkins
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
RWO Marine Equipment Ltd
Original Assignee
RWO Marine Equipment Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GBGB9521557.0A external-priority patent/GB9521557D0/en
Application filed by RWO Marine Equipment Ltd filed Critical RWO Marine Equipment Ltd
Publication of EP0769449A1 publication Critical patent/EP0769449A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0769449B1 publication Critical patent/EP0769449B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
    • B63H25/00—Steering; Slowing-down otherwise than by use of propulsive elements; Dynamic anchoring, i.e. positioning vessels by means of main or auxiliary propulsive elements
    • B63H25/06—Steering by rudders
    • B63H25/08—Steering gear

Definitions

  • THE PRESENT INVENTION relates to a tiller connection and more particulary relates to a tiller connection for use in connecting an extension arm to the main part of a tiller in a yacht or dinghy.
  • a tiller in a yacht or dinghy is connected to the rudder used to steer the vessel. It has been proposed previously to provide an extension arm which is connected to the tiller, permitting the yachtsman to control the yacht or dinghy from a position which is, relatively, a long way from the tiller.
  • a tiller connection which provides a substantially universal action, to enable the position of the tiller extension to be readily adjusted relative to the position of the tiller, but which provides a secure connection between the tiller extension and the tiller. Furthermore there is a requirement for a tiller connection where, if the tiller extension is released, it does not fall to a position in which it is inaccessible.
  • the present invention seeks to provide a tiller connection of this type.
  • a tiller connection to connect a tiller extension arm to a tiller
  • the tiller connection comprising a support component to be connected to the tiller, a ball with means to connect the ball to the support component and means to engage the ball and to be connected to the tiller extension arm
  • the means to engage the ball comprise a claw having two components to engage the ball to exert a substantial frictional force on the ball
  • the support component incorporating a ring element located above a base of the support component, the ring element being co-axial with the connection between the ball and the support component and defining a support surface adapted to engage the claw, or the tiller arm to prevent the tiller arm from moving beneath a predetermined limiting position
  • the ball and the claw forming components being made of a self-lubricating plastics material.
  • the two claw-forming components are secured together by a bolt.
  • the ring element lies in a single plane. In another embodiment the ring element has a portion in a plane and a further region off-set from the plane.
  • the ring element is carried by the base of the support component, the base of support component defining a hollow spigot adapted to receive a pin carried by the ball to connect the ball to the support component.
  • the ball has a pin to be received in the hollow spigot, the pin carrying retractable protruding elements that engage the spigot to retain the ball whilst permitting rotation of the ball, and which can be retracted to permit the ball to be separated from the support component.
  • the plastic materials utilised to form the ball and the claw contains between 10 and 20% PTFE, conveniently substantially 15% PTFE.
  • the plastics material utilised to form the ball and the claw is fibre reinforced, advantageously is carbon fibre reinforced.
  • the proportion of carbon fibre in the plastic comprises between 20 and 40% by weight, preferable substantially 30% by weight.
  • a major component of the plastics used to form the ball and the claw may comprise nylon 66.
  • the claw may comprise two substantially identical components which are interconnected to define the claw.
  • a tiller connection in accordance with invention comprises three elements namely a support component 1, a ball 2 and a claw 3.
  • the support component 1 comprises a substantially planar base 4 provided with two screw holes to enable the base to be secured to a tiller.
  • a hollow tubular spigot 5 which incorporates a metal tube 6.
  • the upper part of the annulus 9 is provided with a groove 10 which receives a rubber ring 11.
  • the rubber ring defines an upper surface which performs a support function as will become clear hereinafter.
  • the ring 11 is co-axial with the hollow spigot 5.
  • the main part of the support component 1 may be made of any appropriate plastic material.
  • the ball 2 as can be seen in Figure 1 and in Figure 3, comprises a substantially spherical outer surface 20, and has depending from it a cylindrical spigot 21. Projecting axially from the spigot 21 is a stainless steel pin 22.
  • the pin 22 is hollow, and has two ball bearings, only one of which, 23, is visible in figure 3, projecting from the lower part of the pin 22, through apertures formed in the pin at diametrically opposed positions.
  • the upper part of the ball 2 is hollowed out, and the upper most part of the ball 2 is open 24.
  • an actuating button 25 Within the upper open part 24 of the ball 2 is an actuating button 25.
  • the actuating button 25 can be depressed, causing an element (not shown) which extends down the hollow pin 22 to move axially.
  • the element within the pin has cam faces that act on the ball bearings. As the element within the hollow pin moves axially as a consequence of movement of the actuating button, the two opposed ball bearings 23 may retract within the pin 22.
  • the pin 22 is dimensioned to be snugly received within the hollow interior of the spigot 5 of the support component 1.
  • the buttons 23 are retracted within the pin 22 enabling the pin to be inserted into the hollow spigot 5.
  • the button 25 is released, the balls 23 are moved outwardly, thus preventing the ball 2 from being separated from the support component 1.
  • the ball With the button 25 depressed the ball may connected to, or released from, the support component 1.
  • the ball 2 When connected to the support component 1 the ball 2 may freely rotate, the ball bearings 23 projecting from the pin 22 at a position beneath the lower end of the spigots, thus preventing the ball 2 from moving upwardly.
  • the claw 3, as can be seen from Figures 1 and 4 comprises two mirror-image claw-forming components 30, 31 which are secured together by means of a bolt 32 which passes through co-aligned apertures formed in the two claw-forming components.
  • the claw-forming components 30, 31 define two arcuate arms which have opposed part spherical inner faces 34, which, as can be seen from Figure 1, engage the outer surface 20 of the ball 2.
  • the arrangement is such that the claw exerts a substantial frictional force against the ball but, nevertheless, the claw can be moved relative to the ball if sufficient force is applied.
  • the claw 30 is rotationally mounted at end of a tiller extension arm 40, as can be seen in Figure 4.
  • the combination of the claw 3 and the ball 2 may be connected to the support component 1 by introducing the pin 22 into the hollow interior of the spigot 5.
  • the ball may then freely rotate relative to the support component 1.
  • the angle of inclination of the tiller extension arm 40 may be readily adjusted simply by moving the free end of the tiller extension arm up and down. The claw will move frictionally relative to the ball to permit this adjustment.
  • the support element provides a support surface (defined by the upper part of the ring 12) which engages the claw associated with the tiller extension arm, to prevent the tiller extension arm from moving downwardly beyond a predetermined limiting position.
  • the ring 11 may be of a greater diameter, with the support surface then engaging the tiller extension arm rather than engaging the claw.
  • both the ball 20 and the claw-forming components 30 and 31 are made of a plastics material which is selected to have certain desirable properties.
  • the plastic material is selected to be a self-lubricating material. In order to have self-lubricating properties the plastic preferably contains between 10 and 20% (and most preferably substantially 15%) PTFE (Poly- Tetra-Fluoro-Ethylene).
  • the plastic material is preferably also fibre reinforced to have high strength. Whilst glass fibre reinforcement may be utilised, carbon fibre reinforcement is preferred. The carbon fibre reinforcement may comprise between 20 and 40% of the total weight of the plastic, but preferably comprises substantially 30% of the weight of the plastic.
  • the rest of the plastic may be any appropriate plastic material, but it has been found advantageous to use a nylon material, in particular nylon 66.
  • Such a plastic material is strong and durable and provides the desirable self-lubrication properties.
  • Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a modified embodiment of the invention. Whilst the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4 is quite satisfactory when used with a straight conventional tiller, since the limiting position for the tiller extension arm is horizontal, regardless of the orientation of the tiller, it has been found that a modified embodiment is appropriate for use on a cranked or swan neck tiller.
  • the annulus 9 In the modified embodiment there is only one arcuate wall 7 supporting the annulus 9.
  • the annulus 9 In the region 12, diametrically opposed to the arcuate wall 7, the annulus 9 is connected directly to the base 4, and thus in that region the upper surface of the annulus is at a lower level than in the region 13 supported by the arcuate wall 7 and the support arms 8.
  • the upper surface of the annulus dips.
  • the annulus or ring element has a portion 13 in a plane and a further region, namely the region 12 off-set from the plane.
  • the support surface engages the claw or the tiller arm to prevent the tiller arm moving beneath a predetermined limiting position.
  • the limiting position is not the same for each orientation of the tiller. If the tiller is aligned with the region 12 of the annulus, the predetermined limiting position is lower than if the tiller is in a different orientation.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Pivots And Pivotal Connections (AREA)

Claims (10)

  1. Verbindung für Steuerausleger zum Verbinden eines Steuerauslegerarms (40) mit einem Steuer, wobei die Verbindung für Steuerausleger eine mit dem Steuer zu verbindende Haltekomponente (1), eine Kugel (2) mit Mitteln (22, 23) zum Verbinden der Kugel mit der Haltekomponente und Mittel (30, 31), um die Kugel zu erfassen und mit dem Steuerauslegerarm (40) verbunden zu werden, umfaßt, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Mittel zum Erfassen der Kugel eine Klaue mit zwei Komponenten (30, 31) zum Ergreifen der Kugel umfassen, um eine im wesentlichen Reibungskraft auf die Kugel auszuüben, wobei die Haltekomponente (1) ein über einer Basis (4) der Haltekomponente (1) angeordnetes Ringelement (9) einschließt, das Ringelement (9) koaxial mit der Verbindung zwischen der Kugel (2) und der Haltekomponente (1) ist und eine Haltefläche definiert, die gestaltet ist, um die Klaue (30) oder den Steuerauslegerarm (40) zu erfassen und den Steuerauslegerarm (40) am Bewegen unter eine vorab festgelegte Grenzposition zu hindern, wobei die Kugel (2) und die eine Klaue bildenden Komponenten (30, 31) aus einem selbstschmierenden Kunststoffmaterial hergestellt sind.
  2. Verbindung für Steuerausleger nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die zwei klauenbildenden Komponenten (30, 31) durch einen Bolzen (32) gemeinsam gesichert sind.
  3. Verbindung für Steuerausleger nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Ringelement (9) von der Basis (4) der Haltekomponente getragen wird, wobei die Basis (4) der Haltekomponente einen hohlen Zapfen (5) definiert, der gestaltet ist, um einen von der Kugel (2) getragenen Stift (22) aufzunehmen und die Kugel mit der Haltekomponente zu verbinden.
  4. Verbindung für Steuerausleger nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Kugel einen in dem hohlen Zapfen aufzunehmenden Stift (22) aufweist, wobei der Stift einziehbare vorragende Elemente (23) trägt, die den Zapfen (5) erfassen, um die Kugel (2) zu halten, während sie eine Drehung der Kugel erlauben, und die zurückgezogen werden können, um die Kugel von der Haltekomponente (1) zu trennen.
  5. Verbindung für Steuerausleger nach irgendeinem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das zum Bilden der Kugel (2) und der Klaue (30, 31) verwendete Kunststoffmaterial zwischen 10 und 20 % PTFE enthält.
  6. Verbindung für Steuerausleger nach irgendeinem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das zum Bilden der Kugel (2) und der Klaue (30, 31) verwendete Kunststoffmaterial faserverstärkt ist.
  7. Verbindung für Steuerausleger nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das zum Bilden der Kugel (2) und der Klaue (30, 31) verwendete Kunststoffmaterial kohlefaserverstärkt ist.
  8. Verbindung für Steuerausleger nach Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Anteil von Kohlefaser im Kunststoff zwischen 20 und 40 Gew.% umfaßt.
  9. Verbindung für Steuerausleger nach irgendeinem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß eine Hauptkomponente des zum Bilden der Kugel und der Klaue verwendeten Kunststoffes Nylon 66 umfaßt.
  10. Verbindung für Steuerausleger nach irgendeinem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Klaue zwei im wesentlichen identische Komponenten (30, 31) umfaßt, die miteinander verbunden sind, um die Klaue zu definieren.
EP19960116516 1995-10-20 1996-10-15 Verbindung für Steuerausleger Expired - Lifetime EP0769449B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB9521557.0A GB9521557D0 (en) 1995-10-20 1995-10-20 Improvements in or relating to a tiller connection
GB9521557 1995-10-20
GB9602501 1996-02-07
GBGB9602501.0A GB9602501D0 (en) 1995-10-20 1996-02-07 Improvements in or relating to a tiller connection

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0769449A1 EP0769449A1 (de) 1997-04-23
EP0769449B1 true EP0769449B1 (de) 2002-01-16

Family

ID=26307985

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19960116516 Expired - Lifetime EP0769449B1 (de) 1995-10-20 1996-10-15 Verbindung für Steuerausleger

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0769449B1 (de)
DE (1) DE69618526T2 (de)

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4228756A (en) * 1979-02-01 1980-10-21 Sailing Systems, Inc. Catamaran tiller-crossbar connector
DE2946158A1 (de) * 1979-11-15 1981-05-21 Wolfram 8000 München Hauser Gelenk mit arretierung fuer pinnenausleger
SE8007174L (sv) * 1980-10-14 1982-04-15 Gunnar Hedman Kulkoppling for styrpinne till segelbatar
US4553496A (en) * 1984-01-06 1985-11-19 Robert Foresman Quick release tiller extension
US4802430A (en) * 1987-10-26 1989-02-07 The B. F. Goodrich Company Composite rudder seal
WO1991017082A1 (en) * 1990-05-04 1991-11-14 Stafast Products, Incorporated Sailboat hiking stick assembly

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69618526T2 (de) 2002-08-29
EP0769449A1 (de) 1997-04-23
DE69618526D1 (de) 2002-02-21

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