US3225367A

US3225367A - Coaster-craft

Info

Publication number: US3225367A
Application number: US366073A
Authority: US
Inventors: Andrew L Gavlek
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1964-05-08
Filing date: 1964-05-08
Publication date: 1965-12-28
Anticipated expiration: 1982-12-28

Description

A. L. GAVLEK COASTER-GRAFT Dec. 28, 1965 Filed May 8, 1964 IN V EN TOR.

H TTdRA/f Y United States Patent 3,225,367 COASTER-CRAFT Andrew L. Gavlek, 900 N. Buchanan, Green Bay, Wis. Filed May 8, 1964, Ser. No. 366,073 1 Claim. (Cl. 9-1) This invention relates generally to coaster-craft and more particularly to a vessel adapted for use either as a coaster for coasting down snowy slopes or as a craft or boat for self-propelled movement on water or as a water ski to be towed.

The purpose of this invention is to adapt the usual concave-convex coaster for greater and novel utility.

An object of this invention is the provision of a concave-convex coaster body having transom means former thereon, for the attachment of an outboard motor thereto.

Another object is the provision of a concave-convex coaster body in combination with an outboard motor for propelling said coaster body.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a concavo-convex coaster body in combination with rudder means for controlling said coaster body in water.

Yet another object is to provide a concave-convex coaster body with rudder means for directionally steering said coaster on a snowy slope.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a coaster having an insulated floor supported by said insulation, such as cork or expanded polystyrene.

Still a further object is to provide a concave-convex coaster of a capacity for seating a plurality of people, such as a family group.

Yet a further object is to provide a concave-convex coaster having an inturned rim.

Other specific objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the figures thereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan View of the generally concave-convex body of the invention, showing a chord like transom formed integrally therewith for the attachment of an outboard motor thereto;

FIG. 2 is a section view taken on line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section view taken on line 33 of FIG. 1, showing the integral transom and an outboard motor secured thereto;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation view of the transom, taken on line 44 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view similar to FIG. 3, showing a simplified rudder means.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown a concave-convex disclike or segmental spherical-like body, generally indicated at 10, not unlike a coaster or saucer, or the like, having a convex bottom 11 and a continuous side wall 12 extending upwardly therefrom and merging therewith on a smooth gradual curve, said annular side 12 terminating at its upper reaches in an integral rim or rib generally indicated at 13. Included in said rim and sidewall is an integral upright planar transom 14 for the securement thereto of a conventional outboard motor means generally indicated at 15, said transom structure extending above said rim and being thickly and solidly reinforced to suitably support said motor.

The remaining portion of said rim is hollow and tubular except for a small solid section 16 at the front end of the body 10, diametrically opposite the transom, for

the attachment thereto of towline connector means generally indicated at 17.

i The tubular rim or rib is inturned and projects inwardly of the side wall 12 to provide a substantially continuous stop edge for the prevention of an unexpected displacement of an occupant from the coaster-craft, and to otherwise provide a continuous cleat-like element against which an occupant can brace himself against the sharp gyratory and sashay movements of the operating coaster-craft.

The motor means 15 is secured to the transom 14 by means of a C-clamp 18 provided with tightener screw means 19, said C-clamp being part of the motor means 15 and being adapted to receive and embrace the upper portion of the transom and bear thereon and be supported thereby.

The somewhat flat and narrow integral housings 21 and 22 provide rudder means, controllable by handle 20, when the propeller 23 is not rotating and driving. Obviously, during normal operation of the motor, the motor is pivotally controllable about a vertical axis thereby providing rudder action, through means of the driving propeller.

The connector means 17 comprises an eyebolt 24 threadedly engaged in solid rim section 16, and a ring 25 interlocked therewith. A towline 26 is connectable to said connector means 17 through means of a swivel snap 27 secured to said towline and snapped on said ring 25.

A floor or deck 28 is provided spaced above the bottom 11, said floor being welded to the inner periphery of the bottom 11 by any means so as to provide an air tight chamber 29 between said bottom and said deck, said air chamber being filled with expanded polystyrene 31, such as Styrofoam, or the like, to make the coaster-craft buoyant, provide a supporting medium for the floor 28, and to provide an insulated floor. Cork can also be used as such filler.

The deck 28 provides a flat floor surface facilitating the use of the coaster-craft.

In the event the walls of the air chamber are caused to leak, the cellular Styrofoam will sustain the coaster-craft buoyant.

While it is preferred that the coaster-craft be molded of a thermo setting resin and glass fiber, such as Fiberglas, or the like, it is not limited to such material. It is to be understood that any material suitable for the purpose may be used.

While it is preferred that the coaster-craft be of a diameter to provide an area sufficient to hold and seat a plurality of occupants, including a family group, the coaster-craft may be of a size to accommodate only a single person.

FIG. 5 shows a modification wherein a simplified rudder 32 is used in lieu of the rudder means of outboard motor 15. The simplified rudder 32 is especially adapted for use while the coaster-craft is being towed on water, for the control thereof; and otherwise for use when the coaster is used for coasting down snowy slopes wherein the simplified rudder, having its knife edge 33 in engagement with such snowy slope, controls the coaster much like the steering runner of an ice boat. Said simplified rudder 32 is pivotally mounted on C-clamp means 34 through means of a pin 35, and controlled through means of handle 36.

In operation, when used in conjunction with motor 15, the coaster-craft is self-propelled thereby, and because of its circular configuration, and spherical-like bottom presenting an inclined bow for substantially 360 degrees, such coaster-craft is capable of very sharp turns, and unusual gyratory movements.

When towed on water, the rudder provides a control of the coaster-craft for unusual chassing movements.

When used for coasting down a snowy slope, the rudder provides control means for directional steering of the coaster, and for maintaining a stabilized orientation of the coaster.

Some characteristic features of this invention are the provision of a concavo-convex coaster having a transom means formed thereon; the combination of a concaveconvex coaster and an outboard motor means; the combination of a concavo-convex coaster and rudder means for controlling said coaster in water; the combination of a concave-convex coaster and rudder means, having a sharp edge for directionally steering said coaster on a snowy slope; the provision of a concave-convex coaster having an insulated floor; the provision of a concavoconvex coaster having a floor insulated by means of Styrofoam whereby said Styrofoam supports said floor; and the provision of a concavo-convex coaster having a capacity for seating a plurality of people, such as a family group.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood, that within the scope of the appended claim, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is:

A coaster-craft, comprising: a generally concavoconvex disc-like body having a smooth bottom and having sidewalls terminating in an inturned rim extending from one side of said transom to the other side of said transom, and said transom extending above said rim; a deck disposed centrally of and spaced above the bottom of said body; expanded polystyrene in the space between said deck and said bottom for supporting said deck; steering means including a rudder and a tiller pivotally mounted on said transom for directionally controlling said body,

said rudder having a knife edge along the bottom edge thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,551,906 5/1951 Schatfhausen 280-12 2,615,495 10/ 1952 Hilliker. 2,724,356 11/ 1955 Szakacs 11439 2,826,423 3/ 195 8 Erickson. 3,123,374 3/1964 MacLeod 280-12 3,170,436 2/ 1965 Deutsch 15 O70 X FOREIGN PATENTS 549,025 7/ 1956 Belgium.

MILTON BUCHLER, Primary Examiner.