US20040031428A1

US20040031428A1 - Personal watercraft tri-hull system

Info

Publication number: US20040031428A1
Application number: US10/224,862
Authority: US
Inventors: Daniel Prevost
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-08-19
Filing date: 2002-08-19
Publication date: 2004-02-19

Abstract

A personal watercraft tri-hull system for improving stability and handling of a personal watercraft at relatively high velocities. The personal watercraft tri-hull system includes a center hull, a first wing and a second wing extending from opposing sides of the center hull, a first hull connected to the distal portion of the first wing and a second hull connected to the distal portion of the second wing. The first hull and the second hull are preferably positioned within the forward portion of the personal watercraft tri-hull system for providing increased stability during high velocity travel. The first hull and second hull include a first inner portion and a second inner portion respectively which are angled inwardly to provide deceleration when the personal watercraft velocity is reduced.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

A United States design patent application will be filed before/simultaneously/after the present United States utility patent application. The applicant is currently unaware of the design patent application's serial number.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable to this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to personal watercraft and more specifically it relates to a personal watercraft tri-hull system for improving stability and handling at relatively high velocities.

2. Description of the Related Art

Personal watercrafts have been in use for years and are manufactured by companies such as BOMBARDIER and YAMAHA. A conventional personal watercraft utilizes a single hull design that provides increased maneuverability at lower velocities within the water.

Single hull designs for personal watercraft are inherently not stable at relatively high velocities (e.g. velocities greater than 40 miles per hour). In addition, single hull designs for personal watercraft do not provide adequate handling at relatively high velocities. Because of the relative instability and lack of maneuverability at high velocities, most personal water craft are limited to velocities of less than 65 miles per hour thereby limiting the usage and attractiveness of personal watercraft within racing events.

The powerboat racing industry has realized the benefits of a dual hull design for stability and handling at relatively high velocities. Powerboats are capable of reaching velocities greater than 125 miles per hour while maintaining adequate control over the boat. Hydroplanes and other types of powerboats utilize powerful motors in conjunction with a dual hull design for increased stability and handling.

Examples of patented devices which are related to the present invention include U.S. Pat. No. 340,221 to Krieger et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 342,052 to Schoell et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 444,761 to Momoi et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 401,212 to Tapolsky et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,582,529 to Montgomery; U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,254 to Jacques; U.S. Pat. No. 5,199,373 to Mardikian; U.S. Pat. No. 370,455 to Wiegert; U.S. Pat. No. 399,182 to Lapointe et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 350,324 to Miller; U.S. Pat. No. 359,469 to Yoshida et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,760,810 to Kobayashi.

While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for improving stability and handling at relatively high velocities. Conventional personal watercraft single hull designs are inherently unstable and are difficult to control at higher velocities.

In these respects, the personal watercraft tri-hull system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of improving stability and handling of a personal watercraft at relatively high velocities.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of personal watercraft now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new personal watercraft tri-hull system construction wherein the same can be utilized for improving stability and handling of a personal watercraft at relatively high velocities.

The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new personal watercraft tri-hull system that has many of the advantages of the personal watercraft mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new personal watercraft tri-hull system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art personal watercraft, either alone or in any combination thereof.

To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a center hull, a first wing and a second wing extending from opposing sides of the center hull, a first hull connected to the distal portion of the first wing and a second hull connected to the distal portion of the second wing. The first hull and second hull include a first inner portion and a second inner portion respectively which are angled inwardly to provide deceleration when the personal watercraft velocity is reduced.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a personal watercraft tri-hull system that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices.

A second object is to provide a personal watercraft tri-hull system for improving stability and handling of a personal watercraft at relatively high velocities.

Another object is to provide a personal watercraft tri-hull system that utilizes a tri-hull structure.

An additional object is to provide a personal watercraft tri-hull system that allows a personal watercraft to travel at higher velocities.

A further object is to provide a personal watercraft tri-hull system that increases stability and low and high velocities.

Another object is to provide a personal watercraft tri-hull system that increases fuel efficiency.

An additional object is to provide a personal watercraft tri-hull system that softens and improves the control upon a water landing.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: [0026]
FIG. 1 is a front view of the present invention disclosing the tri-hull structure. [0027]
FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the present invention. [0028]
FIG. 3 is an upper perspective view of the present invention. [0029]
FIG. 4 is a side view of the present invention. [0030]
FIG. 5 is a top view of the present invention. [0031]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 through 5 illustrate a personal watercraft tri-hull [0032] system 10, which comprises a center hull 80, a first wing 22 and a second wing 24 extending from opposing sides of the center hull 80, a first hull 30 connected to the distal portion of the first wing 22 and a second hull 40 connected to the distal portion of the second wing 24. The first hull 30 and the second hull 40 are preferably positioned within the forward portion of the personal watercraft tri-hull system 10 for providing increased stability during high velocity travel. The first hull 30 and second hull 40 include a first inner portion 32 and a second inner portion 42 respectively which are angled inwardly to provide deceleration when the personal watercraft velocity is reduced.
As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, a [0033] frame 20 includes the first wing 22 and the second wing 24. As is well known in the personal watercraft industry, a seat 12 is attached to the upper portion of the frame 20 along with a set of handlebars 14 extending upwardly from a forward portion of the frame 20 for controlling the personal watercraft tri-hull system 10. The handlebars 14 are mechanically connected to the jet nozzle 70 for controlling the direction of travel of the personal watercraft tri-hull system 10. A motor is positioned within the frame 20 for powering a water turbine that receives water through an intake 72 and disperses the water at a high velocity through the jet nozzle 70. Various other structures may be utilized to construct and operate the personal watercraft tri-hull system 10 which are well known.
As further shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, the [0034] first wing 22 and the second wing 24 include a first lower surface 26 and a second lower surface 28 respectively that ride upon the water at lower velocities. When the personal watercraft tri-hull system 10 is traveling at higher velocities, the lower surfaces 26, 28 of the wings 22, 24 engage the water surface in a limited manner thereby reducing drag within the water. A first stabilizer 50 and a second stabilizer 60 are preferably attached to the rear portions of the first lower surface 26 and the second lower surface 28 respectively for increasing performance of the invention.
As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the [0035] first hull 30 is attached to the distal portion of the first wing 22. The first hull 30 has a sufficient volume for providing increased buoyancy of the personal watercraft tri-hull system 10. The first hull 30 is preferably constructed of a lightweight material such as but not limited to fiberglass, plastic, composite or metal. The first hull 30 may include a volume filling material that is buoyant within water such as a foam material. The lower surface of the first hull 30 has a gradual curvature outwardly from an inner portion thereof as best shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. During travel at high velocities, only the inner portion of the first hull 30 is preferably engaging the water surface. A plurality of first ribs 34 preferably extend substantially parallel to one another along the lower surface of the first hull 30 for increasing handling during travel.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the [0036] first hull 30 includes a first inner portion 32 that is angled inwardly towards the second inner portion 42 of the second hull 40. The first inner portion 32 is preferably comprised of a curved structure for directing the water inwardly at lower velocities thereby decelerating the personal watercraft tri-hull system when the first hull 30 and the second hull 40 are extended a finite distance within the water. The vertical portion of the first inner portion 32 preferably is preferably angled within an approximately one-hundred-eighty degree curvature. The horizontal portion of the first inner portion 32 is preferably angled within an approximately ninety degree curvature as further shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the [0037] second hull 40 is attached to the distal portion of the second wing 24. The second hull 40 has a sufficient volume for providing increased buoyancy of the personal watercraft tri-hull system 10. The second hull 40 is preferably constructed of a lightweight material such as but not limited to fiberglass, plastic, composite or metal. The second hull 40 may include a volume filling material that is buoyant within water such as a foam material. The lower surface of the second hull 40 has a gradual curvature outwardly from an inner portion thereof as best shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. During travel at high velocities, only the inner portion of the second hull 40 is preferably engaging the water surface. A plurality of second ribs 44 preferably extend substantially parallel to one another along the lower surface of the second hull 40 for increasing handling during travel.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the [0038] second hull 40 includes a second inner portion 42 that is angled inwardly towards the first inner portion 32 of the first hull 30 as described previously. The second inner portion 42 is preferably comprised of a curved structure for directing the water inwardly at lower velocities thereby decelerating the personal watercraft tri-hull system when the first hull 30 and the second hull 40 are extended a finite distance within the water. The shape of the second inner portion 42 preferably mirrors the shape and structure of the first inner portion 32 as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. The vertical portion of the second inner portion 42 preferably is preferably angled within an approximately one-hundred-eighty degree curvature. The horizontal portion of the second inner portion 42 is preferably angled within an approximately ninety degree curvature as further shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the [0039] center hull 80 extends centrally from the frame 20. The center hull 80 has a front surface 82 that is preferably angled downwardly for providing lift upon the front of the personal watercraft tri-hull system 10 during forward travel. The center hull 80 further includes a first surface and a second surface 86 in opposition to one another and angled outwardly as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings. The first surface and the second surface 86 preferably are angled inwardly toward a lower portion of the center hull 80. A first side 88 and a second side 89 are connected to the first surface and the second surface 86 respectively extending rearwardly substantially parallel to one another. A plurality of center ribs 85 are attached to the bottom surface of the center hull 80 for increasing performance upon the water surface.
As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. [0040]
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed to be within the expertise of those skilled in the art, and all equivalent structural variations and relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. [0041]
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. [0042]

Claims

I claim:

1. A personal watercraft tri-hull system, comprising:

a frame having a first wing and a second wing;

a center hull connected to a center of said frame;

a first hull attached to a distal portion of said first wing; and

a second hull attached to a distal portion of said second wing.

2. The personal watercraft tri-hull system of claim 1, wherein said first wing and said second wing are attached to a front portion of said frame.

3. The personal watercraft tri-hull system of claim 1, wherein said first hull and said second hull each include an inner portion, wherein said inner portion is angled inwardly.

4. The personal watercraft tri-hull system of claim 3, wherein said inner portion is curved.

5. The personal watercraft tri-hull system of claim 4, wherein said inner portion is curved approximately 90 degrees horizontally.

6. The personal watercraft tri-hull system of claim 5, wherein said inner portion is curved approximately 180 degrees vertically.

7. The personal watercraft tri-hull system of claim 1, wherein said center hull includes a front surface having a downward angle.

8. The personal watercraft tri-hull system of claim 7, wherein said center hull includes a first surface and a second surface on opposing sides of said center hull, wherein said first surface and said second surface are angled outwardly.

9. The personal watercraft tri-hull system of claim 8, wherein said center hull includes a first side and a second side extending rearwardly from said first surface and said second surface respectively.

10. The personal watercraft tri-hull system of claim 9, wherein said first side and said second side are substantially parallel to one another.

11. A personal watercraft tri-hull system, comprising:

a frame having a first wing and a second wing;

a center hull connected to a center of said frame;

a plurality of center ribs attached to center hull;

a first hull attached to a distal portion of said first wing;

a plurality of first ribs attached to said first hull;

a second hull attached to a distal portion of said second wing; and

a plurality of second ribs attached to said second hull.

12. The personal watercraft tri-hull system of claim 11, wherein said first wing and said second wing are attached to a front portion of said frame.

13. The personal watercraft tri-hull system of claim 11, wherein said first hull and said second hull each include an inner portion, wherein said inner portion is angled inwardly.

14. The personal watercraft tri-hull system of claim 13, wherein said inner portion is curved.

15. The personal watercraft tri-hull system of claim 14, wherein said inner portion is curved approximately 90 degrees horizontally.

16. The personal watercraft tri-hull system of claim 15, wherein said inner portion is curved approximately 180 degrees vertically.

17. The personal watercraft tri-hull system of claim 11, wherein said center hull includes a front surface having a downward angle.

18. The personal watercraft tri-hull system of claim 17, wherein said center hull includes a first surface and a second surface on opposing sides of said center hull, wherein said first surface and said second surface are angled outwardly.

19. The personal watercraft tri-hull system of claim 18, wherein said center hull includes a first side and a second side extending rearwardly from said first surface and said second surface respectively.

20. The personal watercraft tri-hull system of claim 19, wherein said first side and said second side are substantially parallel to one another.