US3062172A

US3062172A - Motor-driven water ski towing device

Info

Publication number: US3062172A
Application number: US90357A
Authority: US
Inventors: James C Moore
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1961-02-20
Filing date: 1961-02-20
Publication date: 1962-11-06
Anticipated expiration: 1979-11-06

Description

Nov. 6, 1962 J. c. MOORE MOTOR-DRIVEN WATER SKI TOWING D EVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR James C. Moore Nov. 6, 1962 J. c. MOORE MOTOR-DRIVEN WATER SKI TOWING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 20, 1961 INVENTOR James C. Moore ATTORNEY United, S ates Paten 055C? H. 7 v. H -MOTOR-DRIVEN WATER SKITOWING DEVICE James C. Moore ltltltll Brockbank, Dallas, Tex.

ThisinVention' relates to ski towing devices for use'i'n aquatic sports, and it has particular reference to a buoyant, streamlined, motor driven tractor device for towing skis, or other aquatic devices, such as aquaplanes, and the like, and the principal object of the invention resides in the provision of a tractor device having asc'alcd hull,"an'd driven by an internal c'onibustio'rrm'otor arranged within the'hull, and having an' elongated handle rigidly connected to' thehull whereby the device" is adapted to be controlled ty Another object of theinventio'n is thatot providing a tractor device of the character describedin which the bottom of the hull i substantially flat across its forward portion, 'witha recessed rear portion to facilitate arranging the propeller'shaft through the botto'infand'to reduce drag.

' A still further object of the invention resides in the provision of a water tractor device in'which'the forward or nose portion of the hull is curved upwardly to enable the device to plane and pass more easily'over waves, and obstacles in its path, and in which the'for'wa'rd' sides of the hull are angled to provide a soft chineetfect, allowing for atop of maximum width while minimizing the bottom width.

nother water tractor having ahu'll having a unique design, especially adapted to easy control and safe operation at high speeds, having a shielded'propellerfor' the protection of a skier being towed by the device, and'pr'otecting the propeller from floating debris, and other obstacles in the wai r... M p Broadly, the invention contemplate the'provision of an' aquatic tractor which is of'light' construction, yet durable, and possessing novel control features adapting the'same' to stable streamlined operation with a minimum of frictional drag and cavitation, due to its tendency to ride higher in the water and at increased inclination at the rear.

While the foregoing objects are paramount, other and lesser objects will become manifest as the description proceeds, taken in connection with the appended drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the invention showing the broad forward portion and narrow rear portion of the hull, the handle and control' devices, and showing the motor cover broken away to illustrate the motor.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the invention showing the stepped bottom surface, the propeller and propeller housing, and showirig'the m'otorand other parts in dotted lines.

FIGURE 3 is a front elevational view of the invention, showing the upwardly curved bottom, the angular sides, and showing the propeller and propeller housing.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the invention illustrating the driven gears, the flexible coupling on the propeller shaft, the clutch and water pumps, and

FIGURE 5 is a perspective bottom view of the hull, showing the offset bottom, the propeller and propeller housing.

The invention is designed to provide an aqua-tractor which is capable of towing a person on skis at relatively high speeds with safety, having a convenient and dependable system of controls by which the device is easily maneuvered, and sufliciently buoyant to remain afloat, even when upset, without flooding the motor compartment, but automatically stopping the motor.

The invention primarily comprises a hull which is objectof'the invention isthatof providinga prieferably formed of plastic, or other' light material, and has forward and aft 'portio ns ll and The forward portion 11 hascur'ved

sides

13 and 14 and a rou nd ed nose is, defining a semi-ellipsoid, and the bottom lo is curved gradually upwardlyto the nose the transverse surface being planar, thus presenting a minimum of resistance as the tractor moves ov'er'th e surface of the water II M The rear or aftportion 12 of the hull l0 is hr'te'wr" than the forward portion 11 as shown particularly in FIGURE 11, defining an oifset 1 7 on each'side, and is tapered rearwardly to the stern 18' which is angled down wardly and outwardly, as'shown in FIGURES land 2. The sides 13 and ra t the forward onies ii of the hair 16 are angular, inclining inwardly toward the bottom 16, as shown 3, for; further streamlining the structure and enhancing its rnaneuverability time water: The

sides

19 and 20 of the rear or aft portion 12 are also angularlyinclined 'toward the bottom 21 of this portion or the hull in, as shown i'n FI G UR'ES 2" and '5.

Thebottoms

16 and 21 respectively, ofthe forward and aft portions ofthe hull ltl are indifferent plane s, as apparent 2, 4 and 5, safdirset 22 bein g for med transversely of the hull 10 afatight angleithe reto. The offset provides for theekt ensio n of the propeller shaftfiii rearwardly beneath the bottom 21 of the aft portion iz'r the hull 10 and,due to the narrower dimension of the aft portion 12, facilitates the m ove rnent of the tractor in starting, as by pushing down on the handle 2 4 whichis adjustably attached to the stern 18, in the manner sh own in 2. The handle 24 .will be presently described i g a r d v A t. V.

Theforward portion of the hull It) is hollow and is formed with a plurality "of internial pa rtitions 25 to strengthen the same, as shown in dotted lines in FIG- URES l and The partitions ar e arr a nged to define a a plurality of small cells to enhance the buoyancy of the tractor, and each cell has an opening 26 in the longitudinal partitionsZS to lighten thehull 10, as show i1 dotted lines in 2., such arrangemennhowever, is optional and may assume a variety of formsfas desired: An internal combustion motor2 7 is supported in its compartment 28 in the forward portion 11 of the hull 10, and is enclosedbya hatch cover 29 in the top 3tl of th hull 10, a shown in FIGURE 1 andin dotted liiies in FIGURE Z. The motor is preferably ofthe four cyan der type although other types ofmotors may be employed, A battery 31 is arranged in the motor compartmeritfan'd forwardly of the motor 27, providing for an electrical syste m for starting the motor or for suitable illumination for lamps carried by the tractor, Attached to the motor 27 on a panel 32 are an ampmeter 33, a starter button 3 and ignition switch 35,, 'i i i V I The motor exhaust pipe 36 has its outlet 37 in one side of the top 30 and is provided with a flapper type of closure 38 hinged thereto and capable of closing the exhaust 36 to prevent flooding when the tractor is upset in the water, or against spray. An air supply tube 39 is arranged forwardly of the motor compartment to admit air thereto. The tube 39 is open to the top 30 of the hull 10 and is covered by a hood 4% to resist any water running into the motor compartment either from a spray or when the tractor is upset. The fuel tank 41 is arranged in the hollow aft portion 12 of the hull 1t} and has a filled opening covered by a cap 42 on the top 36, as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2.

Attached to the rear of the motor 27 is a housing 43 which encloses the transmission gears, as shown in FIG- URE 4. The main shaft, 44 of the motor 27 is journalled in

non-friction bearings

45 and 46 and has a gear 47 thereon whichis meshed with a reduction gear 48 on a '13 stub shaft 49 journalled at each end in bearings t} and 51. The gear 48 is meshed with a gear 52 on a stub shaft 53 mounted in bearings 54 and S5.

A sleeve 56 is keyed to the outer end of the stub shaft 53 which has a tubular flexible coupling 57 thereon connected at its opposite end to a similar sleeve 53 keyed to the inner end of the propeller shaft 23 which is supported in a thrust bearing 59 in a stuffing box 6:), attached to the offset wall 22, and extends rearwardly along the bottom 21 of the aft portion of the hull It} to be supported near its outer end in a bearing support 61 in a conical shroud 62 which surrounds the propeller 63.

The gear 52 is mounted for free rotation on the shaft 53 and has a clutch face 64 on its inner side engageable by a friction type clutch member 65 which is slidably keyed to the inner portion of the shaft 53 and is operable thereon with respect to the clutch face 64 by a fork 66 on a shaft 67 to which is connected a lever (not shown) by which the fork shaft 67 is oscillated by a cable 68 arranged along the handle 24 and operated by a lever 6? on one of the handle bars 7%, as shown in FIGURES l, 2 and 3.

By the arrangement just described the motor 27 can be started without turning the propeller 63 since the clutch can be disengaged, thus insuring the safety of the operator. It is desirable that the motor 27 cannot be started without removing the hatch cover 29 to minimize the possibility of an explosion through the accumulation of gas fumes, and other hazards. Another cable 71 is arranged along the handle 24 for controlling the speed of the motor 27, and has a lever 72 attached to the handle bar 73. The cable 71 is connected to the carburetor control lever in the usual manner.

Attached to the gear housing 43 is a pump housing 74 having

separate compartments

75 and 76, each having a pump rotor operating therein designated, respectively 77 and 78, and on a common stub shaft 79, one end of which has a driven connection So with the outer end of the main shaft 44 of the motor 27. A suitable packing 81 is provided about the shaft 79 to seal the compartment 76 which is separated from the compartment 75 by a partition 82.

The compartment 76 has inlet and outlet ducts 33 and 84 for the circulation of water through the cooling system (not shown) of the motor 27. Water i pumped by the rotor 78 from outside the hull through the inlet conduit 83 and the motor cooling system to be discharged exteriorly of the hull 10. The opposite rotor 77 operates to pump out the compartment in the aft portion 12 which might leak thereinto, or the motor compartment in the forward portion 11. Inlet and outlet conduits S5 and 36 are connected into the compartment 77 of the pump housing 74.

The conical shroud 62 embracing the propeller 63 is attached to the rear of the bottom 21 of the aft portion 12 of the hull 10 and is flared forwardly, having its forward annular rim 87 inclined downwardly and rearwardly, as best illustrated in FIGURE 2, for freer action in the water.

The shroud 62 serves to scoop the water, protect the propeller 63 against obstructions, and to protect the operator fiom injury by the propeller. The shroud 62 also aids in eliminating cavitation at high speeds.

The shroud 62 has a series of integral radial vanes 88 in its smaller rear open end, and these are set at angles which oppose the angular incidence of the blades of the propeller 63 and function to counteract the torque of the propeller. Another obvious function of the shroud 62 is that of holding down the rear portion of the tractor to cause it to plane at high speeds, as indicated in FIG- URE 2 in which the broken line W designates the water line.

The handle 24 is hinged at 89 to a bracket 90 attached to the rear inclined wall 18 of the hull 1i), and is capable of being folded over the top of the latter for compactness in transportation and storage. The handle 24 may also be adjusted angularly and longitudinally, and locked in the desired positions by a knob 91 on the underside of the handle bar assembly. A speedometer 92 may be arranged in the handle bar assembly, if desired, as shown in FIGURE 1.

The mechanical features and structural design of the invention, as herein described, are obviously capable of certain changes and modifications, by persons skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and intent of the invention or the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

In a water tractor for towing Water skis, and the like, having a buoyant hull having forward and aft portions, and having an offset in the bottom of said hull intermediate its ends whereby the undersurface of said aft portion is in a plane above that of said forward section, the improvements comprising, in combination, a hull having offsets on each side thereof adjacent to the offset in the bottom thereof whereby the said aft portion is narrower and shallower than said forward portion, a motor in said forward portion having a propeller shaft driven thereby, the said shaft extending through said offset in the bottom of said hull and rearwardly thereof beneath the bottom of said aft portion, a propeller on said shaft, a shroud attached to the bottom of said aft portion, and rearwardly thereof embracing said propeller and said shaft, and a handle for controlling said hull in motion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,705,133 Oertz Mar. 12, 1929 1,795,588 Wilson Mar. 10, 1931 2,030,375 Kort Feb. 11, 1936 2,397,683 Nelson Apr. 12, 1946 2,914,018 Schachner et al Nov. 24, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 822,466 France Sept. 20, 1937 488,440 Great Britain July 7, 1938