US3143996A

US3143996A - Watercraft

Info

Publication number: US3143996A
Application number: US295384A
Authority: US
Inventors: William R Chapman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1963-07-16
Filing date: 1963-07-16
Publication date: 1964-08-11
Anticipated expiration: 1981-08-11
Also published as: GB1045904A

Description

A118 11, 1964 w. R. CHAPMAN 3,143,996-

` WATERCRAFT Filed July 16, 19654 INVENTOR W/LL/AM R CHAPMAN United States Patent O 3,143,996 WATERCRAFT William R. Chapman, 6715 S. Karlov Ave., Chicago 29, Ill. Filed July 16, 1963, Ser. No. 295,384 8 Claims. (Cl. 11S-70) My invention relates to a watercraft, and more particularly, to a combination pontoon and outrigger ski type watercraft arranged to be self-propelled and providing a ride that is attractive yet safe for all age groups. f Most conventional watercraft arrangements of the selfpropelled water ski or pontoon type are either comparatively complex and expensive arrangements or they require considerable skill and vigor to operate, or both. Since these factors necessarily have limited the market possibilities of such devices to those affluent and agile enough to finance and operate them, they have not met with the popularity and wide acceptance of which they are susceptible of achieving.

A principal object of my invention is to provide a watercraft of the self-propelled type that is entertaining and safe to operate.

Another principal object of my invention is to provide a self-propelled watercraft that provides a strikingly different type of ride which can be safely handled regardless of age or agility.-

Still other objects of the invention are to provide a watercraft that combines the pleasures `of boating, water skiing and surfboarding, to provide a watercraft which is operated by standard type outboard motors of low or moderate horsepower rating, and to provide a watercraft that is inexpensive of manufacture, easy and convenient to use, and equally adapted for use on inland as well as ocean waters.

Other objects, uses, and advantages will be obvious or become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description and the application drawing.

In the drawing:

FIGURE l is a frontal perspective view illustrating a proven embodiment of my invention;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the watercraft shown in FIGURE 1, on a slightly enlarged scale;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of the watercraft shown in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a front end view of the watercraft shown in FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 5 is a fragmental plan view, largely diagrammatic in nature, illustrating the motor and operating handle that is employed in connection with the illustrated watercraft.

However, it is to be understood that the specific drawing illustrations provided are supplied primarily to comply with the requirements of 35 U.S.C. 112 and that the invention is susceptible of other embodiments that will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Consequently, the appended claims are to be construed as broadly as the relevant prior art will permit.

Reference numeral generally indicates a preferred embodiment of the invention, which comprises a pontoon member 12, a pair of Outrigger

skis

14 and 16, a iiexible crossboard 18 that interconnects the

skis

14 and 16 with lthe pontoon member 12, a motor mount 20, an outboard motor 22, and a looped operating handle 24 for steering the watercraft at low speed, and for bracing the operator when operating the watercraft.

The pontoon 12 comprises a hollow body 30 formed to define a substantially planar top or upper surface 32, substantially upright side surfaces 34 that are convexly curved at the forward end of the pontoon member as at 36 to define a relatively narrow front end or bow 38, a substantially ilat downwardly tapering forward bottom ice surface 40, and a pair of rear bottom surfaces 42 that taper downwardly slightly from the sides of the pontoon to form a shallow ridge 44 along the center of the boat at its stern.

The pontoon member 12 of the illustrated embodiment is formed from marine plywood, but obviously the materials to be employed are a matter of choice and design.

The crossboard 18 comprises a sheet of marine plywood having sufficient flexibility to permit the

skis

14 and 16 to be deflected upwardly or downwardly on the order of three inches. The crossboard 18 is fixed to the pontoon member 12 by appropriate bolts 50 and is shaped to define outwardly extending portions 52 that project laterally and outwardly of the sides 34 of the pontoon member and have the

respective skis

14 and 16 fixed to their outwardly projecting ends 54. As indicated in the drawings, the crossboard 18 extends transversely of the pontoon member 12, and it is substantially trapezoidal in configuration. f

Mounted on the upper surface 56 of the crossboard are a pair of ski shoes 58 which are positioned to define a forwardly facing operators position generally indicated at 60 adjacent, but just aft of the midportion of the pontoon member 12.

The ski shoes 58 may be of any suitable type and are customarily shaped to define foot pockets 62 in which the entrance end is at 64. In accordance with this invention, the ski shoes or foot pocket should be positioned so that they are disposed outwardly of the sides 34 of the pontoon member 12, as clearly shown in FIGURE 2.

The water skis 14 each comprise a flat member 70 formed with a planar bottom surface '72, a tapering forward end 74, and a blunt rear end 76. Each ski is reinforced by vertically disposed

ribs

78 and 80, with the respective skis being secured to the crossboard 18 by employing suitable screws or bolts 82 that pass through the crossboard into the

respective ribs

78 and 80.

In accordance with this invention, the

skis

14 and 16 are positioned with respect to the pontoon member 12 such that the bottom surfaceQ of the skis 72 are disposed weil above the bottom of the pontoon member adjacent its midportion and rear or stern end, as clearly shown in FIG- URES 3 and 4.

Also, the skis are disposed so that their respective members are substantially parallel to the top surface 32 of the pontoon member 12.

. The pontoon member 12 at its rear end carries the motor mount 20, which comprises an angle bracket defining a pontoon engaging portion 92 which is secured to the pontoon member by employing appropriate bolts, screws or the like (not shown), an upright flange portion 94 to which the motor 22 is secured by employing the customary screw clamps 96, and a centrally disposed diagonal brace plate 98 for reinforcement purposes.

p The motor 22 may be of any conventional type of outboard motor provided with the usual propeller 100 and motive arrangement for driving same as well as the usual arrangement for rotating the downwardly projecting housing portion 102 of the motor about a substantially vertical axis 104 for purposes of steering the craft.

Conventional outboard motors ordinarily are provided witha forwardly extending handle portion 106 for this purpose, though in the case of the motor shown, it is intended to represent the tive horsepower Clinton Chief model made by Clinton Motors of Clinton, Michigan,

i which ordinarily includes a rectangular handle structure to be swung vertically about axis 114 to a substantially upright position, is provided with the special handle structure 24 that is fixed to the operating handle portion 112 and extends forwardly and over the operators position 60.

The handle structure 24 comprises a looped member 120 defining an open center portion 122 in which the operator stands to operate the watercraft. The member 120 may be formed from tubular aluminum or the like and includes an attachment extension portion 124 that is received over the operating handle portion 112 and fixed thereto by employing appropriate bolts 126.

As indicated in FIGURES l and 2, the handle structure 24 is shaped to define a forwardly and outwardly diverging forward end portion 130 which terminates in a handlebar portion 132 that is rectilinear in configuration lengthwise thereof and extends transversely of the pontoon member 12 at an elevation above the pontoon member surface 32 which permits it to be readily grasped by the operator when he stands within the open center 122 of the handle structure 24 with his feet in the ski shoes 58.

The handle structure 24 in the illustrated embodiment inclines upwardly in a forward direction to dispose the handlebar portion 132 at the desired elevation.

The handlebar structure 24 may be provided with one or more reinforcing bars 136 as may be necessary or adviseable in accordance with prudent design.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention at the forward side of crossboard 18 on its top surface 56 is shaped to define a receptacle 140 to receive gasoline tank 142 that is provided to refuel the motor 22 and to counterbalance the weight of the motor.

The receptacle 140 may be formed by securing

strips

144 and 146 to the crossboard 18 in a rectangular configuration appropriate to receive the gas tank 142.

In operation, the watercraft is placed in the Water and an outboard motor equivalent to motor 22 is applied to its rear end in the usual manner to motor mount 20. The handle structure 24 is then secured in place by slipping its attachment portion 124 over the swinging handle portion 112 of operating handle 106 and applying the bolts 126.

Assuming the motor is gassed up and the gasoline tank 142 is placed in its receptacle 140, the operator climbs onto the watercraft, and lifts the handle structure 24 to pivot same about the axis 114 so that he can position himself within its open center 122. Alternately, the handle structure 124 may be moved downwardly about the usual horizontal axis pivot that motors 22 are provided with to lift the propeller 100 out of the water, which disposes the forward portion 130 of the handle structure 24 adjacent the top surface or deck 32 of the pontoon member 12.

After the operator has stepped into position, and inserted his feet in the customary manner within ski shoes S8, he disposes the handle structure 24 in the appropriate position to comfortably grasp the handlebar portion 132. Parenthetically, it may be pointed out that the swinging joint 110 customarily includes a stop arrangement where indicated at 150 to prevent the handle portion 112 from being swung below a horizontal position, although the portion 112 customarily may be moved to a substantially upright position. The angulation of the forwardly extending portion 130 of handle structure 24 should be sufficiently flat so that when the handle portion 112 is in its lowerrnost horizontal position (assuming the motor propeller 100 is in its immersed position), persons of smaller stature will nd the handlebar portion 132 comfortably positioned. Thus, the handle structure 24 will be automatically adjustable for taller persons.

Assuming the motor 22 is running, the operator uses the handle structure 24 to steer the craft onto open water, by moving the operating handle 106 to the left or to the right, as indicated by the double headed arrow 152,

to turn the motor about its vertical pivot axis 104, after which the motor 22 may be accelerated.

For convenience, a suitable throttle control may be conveniently applied to the handle structure 24 at some point along handlebar portion 132 to give the operator ready control over the motor 22.

In any event, when the operator reaches open water, he speeds up the motor to increase his speed, which causes the pontoon member 12 to plane whereby its forward end lifts out of the water, and the Water contact of the bottom of the pontoon member moves toward the rear of the craft, and at the same time, the rear or stern of the craft moves downwardlyas the speed increases.

This lowering action of the rear end of the craft also tilts the forward ends of the

skis

14 and 16 upwardly and at the same time lowers their lower ends into the water and as the speed increases, the frictional contact of the craft with the water is gradually transferred to a substantial degree to the skis. This lowering of the stern of the craft thus tends to flex the outwardly extending portions 52 of the cross member 52 to provide a smooth floating action between the skis and the pontoon member.

At higher speeds, the operator need not shift the handle structure 24 to steer the craft, but rather, this may be done by the shifting of his weight from one ski shoe to the other. The mounting or positioning of the ski shoes outboard of the sides of the pontoon member provides the leverage action on the skis that create the desired turn. Thus, to turn the craft to the right, one shifts his weight to the right foot, and the sharpness of the turn will depend upon the amount of Weight shift.

The substantially flat bottom `of the pontoon and the flat bottoms of the skis provide a distinct sliding action rather than a smooth turn, and it has been found that this sliding action is an attractive aspect of this invention.

As already indicated, the frictional contact of the craft with the water is substantially transverse to the .Outrigger skis, to the extent that the skis will provide perhaps on the order of 60 to 70 percent of the frictional contact with the water. This creates a bowing action lon the cross member 18 that turns the skis upwardly and outwardly along their outer edges somewhat, and disposes them for sensitive engagement with the water surface.

It will thus be seen that the watercraft 10 is readily operated by anyone inclined toward water sports, and since the operator is rigidly held to the craft by the holding action on his feet of the `ski shoes as well as the firm grip provided by the handle structure 24, the operator is fully stabilized and supported against dislodgement due to bumps and the like.

The operator will find that through the use of the handle structure 24, the distribution of his weight on. his feet, and the throttling of the motor 22, he can make just about any type of sharp turn that he desires.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the pontoon member 12 is 24 inches wide by l2 linches deepwith a tapered hull 8 feet long, in which the surface 40 of the hull tapers approximately 8 inches in 5 feet and the remainder of the hull tapers approximately 2 inches in the remaining 3 feet. The crossboard 18 is formed by a three-quarter inch (thickness) pfiece of marine plywood, 24 inches wide by 6 feet long. The

skis

14 and 16 are 4 feet in length and -18 inches wide and are formed from three-quarter inch (thickness) laminated white pine, with the reinforcement members being 2 inch by 6 inch white pine pieces appropriately shaped as indicated.

The motor mount of the illustrated embodiment is a fabricated member applied to the stern of the boat to dispose the flange portion 94 in an upright position to properly mount the motor 22 in place. Mount 20 in this embodiment happens to be formed out of a one-quarter inch mild steel welded in place.

It will therefore be seen that I have provided a novel and simplified watercraft which is inexpensive of manu- 'ern facture, convenient and safe to use, and capable of providing a stimulating and amusing ride of a character not heretofore experienced in this art.

The watercraft l0 is readily operated by light, low horsepower motors so that the. expense of enjoyment is kept to a minimum, and is well within the range of the ordinary water sport enthusiast.

The foregoing description and the drawings are given merely to explain and illustrate my invention and the invention is not to be limited thereto, except insofar as the appended claims are so limited, since those skilled in the art who have my disclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variations therein without departing from the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A watercraft comprising:

a pontoon member,

a crossboard carried by said pontoon member and extending transversely of said pontoon member,

said crossboard including oppositely projecting end portions extending away from the respective sides of said pontoon member,

a ski member secured to each of said crossboard end portions and spaced from said pontoonmember,

a pair of foot pockets positioned on said crossboard member on either side of said pontoon member, motor means carried by said pontoon member for propelling said craft along the water,

and handle means secured to said motor means for steering said craft,

said handle means including a handle portion disposed for hand gripping when the operator stands in said` pockets.

2. A watercraft comprising:

a pontoon member,

a pair of skis positioned on either side of said pontoon member,

said skis respectively being spaced from said pontoon member and extending substantially parallel thereto,

a crossboard secured to the top of said pontoon member and extending transversely thereof,

said crossboard defining oppositely extending end portions projecting laterally away from said pontoon member,

one of said skis being secured to one of said crossboard end portions, and the other of said skis being secured to the other of said end portions,

outboard motor means secured to the rear end of said pontoon for propelling said craft,

a pair of operator foot pockets positioned on said crossboard on either side of said pontoon member and defining a forwardly facing operators position,

and a forwardly extending handle secured to said motor means and projecting above said operators position at a standing position elevation,

said handle defining a loop in which the operator stands when in said operating position.

3. A watercraft comprising:

a pontoon member,

a pair of skis positioned on either side of said pontoon member,

means for securing an outboard motor to the rear end of said pontoon for propelling said craft,

said handle defining a loop in which the operator stands in said operating position,

said handle loop including a rectilinear handle gripping portion extending transversely of said pontoon member and disposed for positioning in front of the operator when he is standing in said operators position.

4. A watercraft comprising:

a pontoon member, l

a pair of Outrigger skis positioned on either side of said pontoon member,

said crossboard defining oppositely extending end por tions projecting laterally away from said pontoon member,

outboard motor means operatively secured to the rear end of said pontoon for propelling said craft,

said youtboard motor means including forwardly projecting handle means for steering the craft,

and a forwardly extending handle secured to said motor means handle means and projecting above said operators position at a standing position elevation,

said handle defining a loop in which the operator stands when in said operating position,

said handle loop including a rectilinear handle gripping position extending transversely of said pontoon member and disposed for positioning in front of the operator when he is standing in said operators position.

5. The watercraft set forth in claim 4 wherein:

said end portions of said crossboard are resiliently flexible,

and wherein said skis are positioned at a level equivalent to approximately four inches above the bottom of said pontoon member,

Whereby when the craft is moving the operator by shifting his weight with respect to said foot pockets can turn the craft.

6. The watercraft set forth in claim 4 wherein:

said motor handle includes an upwardly swingable portion, whereby said loop may be swung upwardly out olf vertical alignment with said operators position.

7. The water craft set forth in claim 4 wherein:

said pontoon member on the upper surface thereof forwardly of but adjacent said crossboard is formed to define a gas tank receiving recess,

and including a gas tank removably positioned in said recess.

8. The watercraft set forth in claim 4 wherein:

said pontoon member and said skis have substantially keelless bottom configurations.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,969,037 Vogt Jan. 24, 1961 3,081,729 Lee Mar. 19, 1963 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,026,729 France Feb. 4, 1953

Claims

1. A WATERCRAFT COMPRISING: A PONTOON MEMBER, A CROSSBOARD CARRIED BY SAID PONTOON MEMBER AND EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OF SAID PONTOON MEMBER, SAID CROSSBOARD INCLUDING OPPOSITELY PROJECTING END PORTIONS EXTENDING AWAY FROM THE RESPECTIVE SIDES OF SAID PONTOON MEMBER, A SKI MEMBER SECURED TO EACH OF SAID CROSSBOARD END PORTIONS AND SPACED FROM SAID PONTOON MEMBER, A PAIR OF FOOT POCKETS POSITIONED ON SAID CROSSBOARD MEMBER ON EITHER SIDE OF SAID PONTOON MEMBER, MOTOR MEANS CARRIED BY SAID PONTOON MEMBER FOR PROPELLING SAID CRAFT ALONG THE WATER, AND HANDLE MEANS SECURED TO SAID MOTOR MEANS FOR STEERING SAID CRAFT, SAID HANDLE MEANS INCLUDING A HANDLE PORTION DISPOSED FOR HAND GRIPPING WHEN THE OPERATOR STANDS IN SAID POCKETS.