GB2044706A

GB2044706A - Improvements in or Relating to Rowing Rigs

Info

Publication number: GB2044706A
Application number: GB8008109A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1979-03-14
Filing date: 1980-03-11
Publication date: 1980-10-22
Also published as: GB2044706B

Abstract

A rowing rig for use with a fixed seat 14 comprises a stretcher 16 slidably mounted in guides 15, an outrigger 17 having a rowlock 22 at its free end and, in use, being pivotably mounted on a craft 10 about a vertically extending axis 21 and a coupling element 24 which couples the outrigger 17 to the stretcher 16 whereby as the stretcher is moved fore-and-aft during rowing the outrigger 17 is pivoted about axis 21. The coupling position of element 24 to outrigger 17 is adjustable. In an alternative embodiment the outrigger 17 is provided with an interconnecting member (33) (not shown) which assists raising of the blade of an oar. Forms of the invention for conventional rowing boats are also described in which a rowlock moves fore and aft in unison with movement of a stretcher. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements In or Relating To Rowing Rigs This invention relates to rowing rigs for rowing vessels and to outriggers for such rowing rigs.

According to the present invention there is provided a rowing rig for a boat comprising a rowlock mountable on the boat for fore-andaft movement relative to the boat and a stretcher mountable on the boat for fore-and-aft movement relative to the boat, the rowlock and the stretcher being drivingly connected.

According to the present invention there is provided a rowing rig for a rowing vessel having a fixed seat, the rig comprising a stretcher, guide means mountable on the vessel to define, in use, a path of travel for the stretcher, the path of travel extending along the vessel, means for limiting the movement of the stretcher along its path of travel, at least one arm having means for pivotably supporting an oar at one end thereof, means for pivotably mounting the arm on the boat adjacent the seat, and means for drivingly coupling a stretcher to the arm whereby, in use, backwards and forwards movement of the stretcher along its path of travel causes corresponding rotation of the arm.

The rig may further comprise a plurality of arms which may be mountable alternately on opposite sides of the vessel.

The or each arm may be an outrigger. Each outrigger may be pivotably mounted about an axis extending, in use, vertically through the vessel.

Alternatively the or each arm may extend vertically upwardly to support an oar adjacent the gunwales of the boat. In this case the or each arm is mounted in line for pivotable movement about a generally horizontally extending axis. The or each arm may pass through a slot extending, in use, along the side of the boat in which case the ends of the slot limit the movement of the arm.

The coupling means may be adjustable to adjust the extent of arc swept by the arm per unit length of movement of the stretcher along its path of travel.

The coupling means may include means for varying the point of connection of the coupling means to the arm along at least a part of the arm.

The means for limiting movement of the stretcher along its path of travel may comprise elongate resilient means having one end securable to the vessel adjacent the seat and the other end connected to the stretcher and arm assembly. Alternatively the means for limiting movement of the stretcher may be constituted by stops mounted on the guide means.

The coupling means may comprise an elongate member collapsible transversely when it experiences a force above a pre-determined level.

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided an outrigger for supporting an oar comprising a member mountable on a vessel to extend upwardly therefrom, an elongate member having one end pivotally connected to the first mentioned member and extending away therefrom, a further member pivotably mounted at the other end of the elongate member to depend therefrom, means interconnecting the further member at a point below the other end of the elongate member to the first mentioned member at a point above the one end of the elongate member, the further member having means for supporting an oar between the ends thereof the arrangement being such that when, in use, a force is applied to the oar in a sense to upwardly pivot the blade of the oar the apparent point of pivot lies between the means for supporting the oar and the grip of the oar.

The interconnecting means may pass through the elongate member.

The invention may further include a rowing rig having an outrigger as set out above.

The invention may still further include a rowing boat having a fixed seat and a rowing rig as set out about above.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the sternmost seat of a pair; Figure 2 is a schematic view from above of a single scull; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a pair; Figure 4a is a perspective view from above of a rowing boat; Figure 4b is a scrap view of Figure 4A showing an alternative embodiment of a rowing rig; and Figure 5 is an enlarged side view of the rowing rig of Figure 4a with a movement of the rig in use indicated in chain line.

Figure 1 shows a part of a pair, generally indicated at 1 0. As is well known such vessels comprise an elongate hull 11 having decked-inportions at their bow and stern (the stern portion is indicated at 12) and an open cockpit indicated at 13 extending between these deck portions. In a pair two seats are provided in this cockpit and in traditional pair these seats are slidable. In the pairs of Figure 1 the seat 14 is fixed relative to the bow 11, although in certain circumstances the seat 14 may be capable of limited movement.

Channel shaped guide tracks 1 5 are secured by means of screws 1 5a either side of the cockpit 11, sternwards of seat 14 and adjacent the gunwales of the vessel 1 0. The guide tracks 1 5 are aligned and parallel and are arranged to slidably receive the ends of stretcher 1 6. A return spring 1 spa may be connected between stretcher 1 6 and a part of the boat adjacent seat 14, to assist the return of the stretcher to the forward end of the guides 1 5.

An outrigger generally indicated at 1 7 comprises a cranked portion 18 and an arm 19, which are joined together by a friction joint 20.

The free end of crank portion 18 is mounted on a vertically extending axle 21, which is secured to the hull 11 beneath the seat 14.

The arm 1 9 extends tranversely out from the pair 10 and has a rowlock 22 mounted at its free end. A number of spaced locating holes 23 are formed in the mid-portion of arm 1 9. Preferably the locating holes 23 lie between the limits 0.4 and 0.6 times the length of the outrigger arm measured from an axle 21.

The locating holes 23 provide means for securing one end of a coupling element 24 to the arm 14, the other end of the element 24 being secured to the stretcher.

The coupling element 24 is preferably provided with means for folding or collapsing transversely in the manner of a jack-knife, in order harmlessly to relieve the force on the outrigger arm 1 9 in the case of a collision or other mishap. For example such means may be constituted by a hinge joint, having a vertical axis, at 25 in combination with a spring or catch of moderate strength to hold it in the normal operating position. The same mechanism may be released when it is desired to swing the outrigger arm 1 9 into a longitudinal position for convenience in transport or storage.

In use a rower mounts an oar (not shown) on rowlock 22 and rows with a normal action.

However, in this case the stretcher 1 6 slides up and down guide tracks 1 5 whilst seat 14 remains practically stationary. The forward and aft movement of the stretcher during each stroke drives by means of coupling element 24 arm 19 and hence rowlock 22 through the arc indicated in Figure 1. The effect of this arrangement is twofold. First, as will be better seen in Figure 2, which shows a single scull, the pivoting of arm 19 about axle 21 allows a longer pull to occur through water for each stroke and hence increases available driving power. The size of the arc of movement of arm 19 and hence the length of pull can be varied by altering the locating hole 23 into which the one end of coupling means 24 is secured.The nearer the selected hole 23 is to axle 21 the greater the arc per unit length of movement of stretcher 1 6.

The second effect of the assembly comprising outrigger 17, coupling means 24 and the slide portion stretcher 1 6 is that as the seat 1 4 is fixed and the stretcher 1 6 is movable the propulsive force is at least partially transmitted through the backrest 14. For this reason it is desirable to have at least some padding or air-cushioning on seat 14. It will also be appreciated that as seat 14 is fixed the transference of weight bow-to-stern during the rowing action is greatly reduced and hence there is a reduction of fore-and-aft oscillation of the boat.

Figure 2 shows a single scull generally indicated at 26. It will be noted that there is a rowing rig 27 on either side of seat 14 and that each outrigger arm 1 9 is connected to a vertical axle 28 adjacent the backrest of seat 14 and on its respective side thereof. The increase in pull length gained from the rigs 27 is clearly shown by Figure 2.

Figure 3 shown an alternative form of outrigger 1 7. In this embodiment arm 1 9 is secured to an upstanding flange portion 29 of crank portion 1 8 by means of a hinge 30. Hinge 30 has a horizontal extending axis. A depending flange 31 is hingediy secured to the free end of arm 1 9 by means of hinge 32, which again has a horizontal extending axis. Flanges 29 and 31 are further interconnected by means of a member 33 which extends from the top of flange 29 to the bottom of flange 31 through a channel (not shown) in arm 1 9. Each end connection of member 33 is free to pivot. A further flange 34 is hinged to flange 31 about a generally vertical axis and in turn has an oar 35 hinged thereon.The oar is hinged at 34a about a generally horizontal axis extending parallel to the axis of the oar.

The two hinges secured to flange 34 provide the oar with movement about both vertical and horizontal axes. It will be appreciated that other means of connecting the oar 35 to the flange 31, which provided this degree of freedom of movement would be suitable. Preferably the connection of the oar to flange 34 should allow the oar to be releasable from flange 34. A spring 1 9a may be connected between flange 29 and arm 19 to counterbalance the weight of the oar.

In use, when it is desired to raise the blade of the oar 35 from the water a downward force is applied to the other end of the oar 35 by the rower. This downward force causes flange 31 to be drawn away from the end of the end of arm 19 and hence pulling on member 33. The pull on member 33 lifts the outward end of arm 19 and thus the oar apparently pivots about the fulcrum indicated at 36, rather than about hinge 32.

Therefore for a given effort the blade of the oar is lifted from the water more quickly. It is envisaged that such an arrangement would be particularly useful in a hydrofoil vessel.

In either of the above arrangments the channel-shaped guide tracks may be replaced by two or more spaced parallel guide tubes (not shown) in which case the stretcher may be mounted on the tubes by P.T.F.E. or low friction bushes mounted on the tubes. In addition a further guide may be located on or adjacent the bottom of the boat extending axially.

Figures 4a and 5 showing a rowing rig for a conventional rowing boat. In this embodiment the stretcher 37 is supported on depending arms 38 by means of an inner rod 37a to allow fore-andaft movement in the manner of a swing or trapeze. The rod 37a is rigidly connected to arms 38 on either side of the boat. Arm 39 is suspended between the stretcher 37 and a further depending arm 40, which is pivotally secured adjacent seat 41. Stretcher 37 is rigidly connected to arm 39. The arm 39 extends upwardly to the gunwales of the boat through a guide 42, which allows limited horizontal movement of the arm 39 in the manner shown in Figure 5. A return spring 43 extends from the boat to stretcher 36. Alternatively the return spring may be constituted by a torque rod or by a coil spring in one of the joints of the rig. The rigid connection of the stretcher 37 and rod 37a to arms 39 and 38 respectively on either side of the boat maintain rowlocks 39a, connected at the free ends of arms 39, in phase.

Figure 4b shows an alternative embodiment in which the arm 39 is extended and hinged above the gunwales of the boat so as to form a horizontal outrigger. The arm 39 is free to move up and down and is provided with a counterbalancing spring to prevent the arm 39 from disengaging the oar. In use the oar rests on the guide 42, which may be suitably modified for this purpose. Thus the oar pivots at the rowlock 39a during horizontal or driving motion and at the guide during vertical or lifting motion.

In both these embodiments movement of the rowlock by the stretcher increases the length of the pull of the blade and also power is transmitted through the fixed seat 41 on the boat.

It will be noticed that the invention provides connecting means between the movable foot stretcher and the rowlock which generate a mechanical advantage or velocity ratio between the longitudinal movements of said two parts. In the Figure 1 embodiment this connecting means comprises the pivoted connecting or coupling element 24 attached to a pivot point 50 on the arm 1 7 inboard of the rowlock 22. In the embodiment of Figure 5 the connecting or coupling element means comprises the bell crank arm 39 combined with the pivoting connecting link 40. In the illustrated embodiments the mechanical advantage or velocity ratio is at least about 1.5:1.

Claims

1. A rowing rig for a rowing vessel having a fixed seat, the rig comprising a stretcher, guide means mountable on the vessel to define, in use, a path of travel for the stretcher, the path of travel extending along the vessel, means for limiting the movement of the stretcher along its path of travel, at least one arm having means for pivotably supporting an oar at one end thereof, means for pivotably mounting the arm on the boat adjacent the seat, and means for drivingly coupling the stretcher to the arm whereby, in use, backwards and forwards movement of the stretcher along its path of travel causes corresponding rotation of the arm.

2. A rowing rig as claimed in claim 1 comprising a plurality of arms.

3. A rowing rig as claimed in claim 2, wherein the arms are mounted alternately on opposite sides of the vessel.

4. A rowing rig as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the or each arm is an outrigger and wherein each outrigger is pivotably mounted about an axis extending, in use, vertically or horizontally through the vessel.

5. A rowing rig as claimed in claims 1 to 3, wherein the or each arm extends vertically upwardly to support, in use, an oar adjacent the gunwales of the boat and wherein the or each arm is mounted, in use, for pivotable movement about a generally horizontally extending axis.

6. A rowing rig as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling means are adjustable to adjust the extent of arc swept by the arm per unit length of movement of the stretcher along its path of travel.

7. A rowing rig as claimed in claim 6, wherein the coupling means include means for varying the point of connection of the coupling means to the arm along at least a part of the length of the arm.

8. A rowing rig as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for limiting the movement of the stretcher along its path of travel comprise elongate resilient means having one end securable to the vessel adjacent the seat and the other end connected to the stretcher and arm assembly.

9. A rowing rig as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling means comprises an elongate member collapsible transversely when it experiences a force above a predetermined level.

10. An outrigger for supporting an oar comprising a member mountable on a vessel to extend upwardly therefrom, an elongate member having one end pivotably connected to the first mentioned member and extending away therefrom, a further member pivotably mounted at the other end of the elongate member to depend therefrom, and means interconnecting the further member at a point below the other end of the elongate member to the first mentioned member at a point above the one end of the elongate member, the further member having means for supporting an oar between the ends thereof the arrangement being such that when, in use, a force is applied to the oar in a sense to upwardly pivot the blade of the oar the apparent point of pivot lies between the means for supporting the oar and the grip of the oar.

11. An outrigger as claimed in claim 10, wherein the interconnecting means passes through the elongate member.

12. A rowing rig as claimed in claim 4 or claims 6 to 8 as dependent in claim 4 including an outrigger as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11.

13. A rowing rig for a boat comprising a rowlock mountable on the boat for fore-and-aft movement relative to the boat and a stretcher mountable on the boat for fore-and-aft movement relative to the boat, the rowlock and the stretcher being drivingly coed.

14. A rowing rig as claimed in claim 13 in which the stretcher and rowlock are connected by connecting means constructed to provide mechanical advantage or velocity ratio between the longitudinal movements of said rowlock and said stretcher.

1 5. A rowing rig substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 1, Figure 2, Figures 1 or 2 as modified by Figure 3. Figures 4a and 5 or Figures 4a and 5 as modified by Figure 4b.

1 6. A rowing boat having a fixed seat and a rowing rig as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 or claims 13 to 14.