Watercraft control mechanism

Abstract

A control mechanism for a watercraft is described herein said control mechanism comprising a steerable propulsion source, a steering controller for controlling said steerable propulsion source, a lid member connected to said steerable propulsion source, and at least one tab connected to said linking member, said at least one tab moveable between an inoperative position and an operative position whereby said at least one tab can be angled such that, in the operative position and when said watercraft is traveling upright in water in a substantially forward direction, a volume of water impinges on a top surface of said at least one tab thereby creating a downward and rearward force on said watercraft.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A control mechanism for a watercraft, said mechanism comprising: 
 (a) a steerable propulsion source;    (b) a steering controller for controlling said steerable propulsion source,    (c) a linking member connected to said steerable propulsion source;    (d) at least one tab connected to said linking member, said at least one tab moveable between an inoperative position and an operative position whereby said at least one tab can be angled such that, in the operative position and when said watercraft is traveling upright in water in a substantially forward direction, a volume of water impinges on a top surface of said at lea one tab thereby creating a downward and rearward force on said watercraft.    
     
     
         2 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 1    wherein said at least one tab is translationally displaceable between said inoperative position and said operative position.  
     
     
         3 . A control mechanism for a waters as recited in    claim 1    wherein said at least one tab is pivotally displaceable between said inoperative position and said operative position.  
     
     
         4 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 1    wherein said at least one tab has a variable surface.  
     
     
         5 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 4    wherein said variable surface includes a section that is moveable with respect to said at least one tab to allow a volume of water to pass through said at least one tab.  
     
     
         6 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 5    wherein said variable section is a pivotal flap that can move from a closed position to an open position.  
     
     
         7 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 6    wherein said pivotal flap comprises a resilient member capable of exerting a resilient force, said resilient member adapted to urge said pivotal flap from said open position back to said closed position when a force tending to open said at least one flap is less than said resilient force.  
     
     
         8 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 7    wherein said resilient member comprises a rotational spring.  
     
     
         9 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 1    wherein said mechanism further comprises a stopper for limiting said at least one tab in its operate position.  
     
     
         10 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 1    wherein said propulsion source defines a propulsion axis and wherein at least two tabs are disposed laterally and substantially equally distant from said propulsion axis to form a substantially symmetrical arrangement.  
     
     
         11 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 1    wherein said at least one tab is hooked.  
     
     
         12 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 1    wherein said at least one tab is mounted at a stem portion of said watercraft.  
     
     
         13 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 1    further comprising a decelerating actuation mechanism for displacing at least one tab from the inoperative position to the operative position for creating a downward and rearward force on said watercraft.  
     
     
         14 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 13    wherein said at least one tab is transitionally displaceable between said inoperative position and said operative position.  
     
     
         15 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 13    wherein said at least one tab is pivotally displaceable between said inoperative position and said operative position.  
     
     
         16 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 13    wherein said at least one tab has a variable surface.  
     
     
         17 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 16    wherein said variable surface includes a section that is moveable with respect to said at least one tab to allow a volume of water to pass through said at least one tab.  
     
     
         18 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 17    wherein said variable section is a pivotal flap that can move from a closed position to an open position.  
     
     
         19 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 18    wherein said pivotal flap comprises a resilient member capable of exerting a resilient force, said resilient member adapted to urge said pivotal flap from said open position back to said closed position when a force tending to open said at least one flap is less than said resilient force.  
     
     
         20 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 19    wherein said resilient member comprises a rotational spring.  
     
     
         21 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in claims  20  wherein said mechanism further comprises a stopper for limiting the tab in its operative position.  
     
     
         22 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 13    wherein said propulsion source defines a propulsion axis and wherein at least two tabs are disposed laterally and substantially equally distant from said propulsion axis to form a substantially symmetrical arrangement.  
     
     
         23 . A control mechanism for a waters as recited in    claim 13    wherein said at least one tab is hooked.  
     
     
         24 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 13    wherein said at least one tab is mounted at a stern portion of said watercraft.  
     
     
         25 . A control mechanism for a watercraft, said mechanism comprising: 
 (a) a decelerating actuation mechanism;    (b) at least one tab capable of being activated by said decelerating actuation mechanism, said at least one tab moveable between an inoperative position and an operative position whereby said at least one tab can be angled such that, in the operative position and when said watercraft is traveling upright in water in a substantially forward direction, a volume of water impinges on a top surface of said at least one tab thereby creating a downward and rearward force on said watercraft.    
     
     
         26 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 25    wherein said at least one tab is translationally displaceable between said inoperative position and said operative position.  
     
     
         27 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 25    wherein said at least one tab is pivotally displaceable between said inoperative position and said operative position.  
     
     
         28 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 25    wherein said at least one tab has a variable surface.  
     
     
         29 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 28    wherein said variable surface includes a section that is moveable with respect to said at least tab to allow a volume of water to pass through said at least one tab.  
     
     
         30 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 29    wherein said variable section is a pivotal flap that can move from a closed position to an open position.  
     
     
         31 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 30    wherein said pivotal flap comprises a resilient member capable of exerting a resilient force, said resilient member adapted to urge said pivotal flap from said open position back to said closed position when a force tending to open said flap is less than said resilient force.  
     
     
         32 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 31    wherein said resilient member comprises a rotational spring.  
     
     
         33 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in claims  32  wherein said mechanism further comprises a stopper for limiting, said at least one tab in its operative position.  
     
     
         34 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 25    wherein said propulsion source defines a propulsion axis and wherein a least two tabs are disposed laterally and substantially equally distant from said propulsion axis to form a substantially symmetrical arrangement.  
     
     
         35 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 25    wherein said at least one tab is hooked.  
     
     
         36 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 25    wherein said at least one tab is mounted at a stern portion of said watercraft.  
     
     
         37 . A control mechanism for a watercraft, said mechanism comprising: 
 (a) a steerable propulsion source;    (b) a steering controller for controlling said steerable propulsion source;    (c) a linking member connected to said steerable propulsion source;    (d) at least one tab connected to said linking member, said tab moveable between an inoperative position and a plurality of operative positions whereby said at least one tab can be angled such that, in the operative positions and when said watercraft is traveling upright in water in a substantially forward direction, a volume of water impinges on a top surface of said at least one tab thereby creating a downward and rearward force on said watercraft.    
     
     
         38 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 37    wherein said at least one tab is translationally displaceable between said inoperative position and said operative position.  
     
     
         39 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 37    wherein said at least one tab is pivotally displaceable between said inoperative position and said operative position.  
     
     
         40 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 37    wherein said at least one tab has a variable surface.  
     
     
         41 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 40    wherein said variable surface includes a section that is moveable with respect to said at least one tab to allow a volume of water to pass through said at least one tab.  
     
     
         42 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 41    wherein said variable section is a pivotal flap that can move from a closed position to an open position.  
     
     
         43 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 42    wherein said pivotal flap comprises a resilient member capable of exerting a resilient force, said resilient member adapted to urge said pivotal flap from said open position back to said closed position when a force tending to open said flap is less than said resilient force.  
     
     
         44 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 43    wherein said resilient member comprises a rotational spring.  
     
     
         45 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in claims  37  wherein said mechanism further comprises a stopper for limiting said at least one tab in its operative position.  
     
     
         46 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 37    wherein said propulsion source defines a propulsion axis and wherein at least two tabs are disposed laterally and substantially equally distant from said propulsion axis to form a substantially symmetrical arrangement.  
     
     
         47 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 37    wherein said at least one tab is hooked.  
     
     
         48 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 37    wherein said at least one tab is mounted at a stern portion of said watercraft.  
     
     
         49 . A control mechanism for a watercraft, said mechanism comprising at least one tab provided with a variable surface.  
     
     
         50 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 49    wherein said variable surface includes a section that is moveable with respect to said at least one tab to allow a volume of water to pass through said at least one tab.  
     
     
         51 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 50    wherein said variable section is a pivotal flap that can move if from a closed position to an open position.  
     
     
         52 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 51    wherein said pivotal flap comprises a resilient member capable of exerting a resilient force, said resilient member adapted to urge said pivotal flap from said open position back to said closed position when a force tending to oven said at least one flap is less than said resilient force.  
     
     
         53 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 52    wherein said resilient member comprises a rotational spring.  
     
     
         54 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 53    wherein said mechanism further comprises a stopper for limiting said at least one tab in its operate position.  
     
     
         55 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 54   , said mechanism being usable for steering said watercraft.  
     
     
         56 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 55   , said mechanism being usable for trimming said watercraft.  
     
     
         57 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 56   , said mechanism being usable for slowing said watercraft.  
     
     
         58 . A control mechanism for a watercraft said control mechanism comprising: 
 (a) at least two tabs each having: 
 a leading edge;  
 a trailing edge;  
 a pivoting point;  
   (b) an actuator pivotally connected to said at least two tabs, said actuator capable of pivoting said at least two tabs about said pivoting point, said at least two tabs moveable between an inoperative position and an operative position whereby said at least two tabs can be angled such that, in the operative position and when said watercraft is traveling upright in water in a substantially forward direction, a volume of water impinges on a top surface of said at least two tabs thereby creating a downward and rearward force on said watercraft.    
     
     
         59 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 58    wherein each said tab can be actuated either 
 (i) asymmetrically, to produce an asymmetrical force for steering said watercraft; or  
 (ii) symmetrically, to produce a symmetrical force in a direction substantially opposite to the direction of travel of said watercraft.  
 
     
     
         60 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 59   , said control mechanism further comprising a steerable propulsion source linked to said actuators whereby turning of said steerable propulsion source actuates at least one of said tabs.  
     
     
         61 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 60    wherein said tabs further comprise resiliently-biased flaps, said flaps having resilient members such that at high speeds a momentum of water impinging on said flaps forces open said flaps when said momentum exceeds a force generated by said resilient member.  
     
     
         62 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 61    further comprising stoppers capable of limiting the motion of said tabs when the said leading edge is inclined into the water.  
     
     
         63 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 62    wherein said tabs further comprise a plurality of holes.  
     
     
         64 . A control mechanism for a watercraft as recited in    claim 63    further comprising a lock stopper mechanism capable of preventing said tabs from opening accidentally at high speeds.  
     
     
         65 . A control mechanism kit for a watercraft, said kit comprising: 
 a linking member connectable to a steerable propulsion source;    at least one tab connectable to said linking member, said at least one tab moveable between an inoperative position and an operative position whereby said at least one tab can be angled such that, the operative position and when said watercraft is traveling upright in water in a substantially forward direction, a volume of water impinges on a top surface of said at least one tab thereby creating a downward and rearward force on said watercraft.    
     
     
         66 . A control mechanism kit for a watercraft as recited in    claim 65    wherein said kit is a retrofit kit.  
     
     
         67 . A control mechanism kit for a watercraft as recited in    claim 65    wherein said at least one tab is translationally displaceable between said inoperative position and said operative position.  
     
     
         68 . A control mechanism kit for a watercraft as recited in    claim 66    wherein said at least one tab is pivotally displaceable between said inoperative position and said operative position.  
     
     
         69 . A control mechanism lot for a watercraft as recited in    claim 67    wherein said at least one tab has a variable surface.  
     
     
         70 . A control mechanism kit for a watercraft as recited in    claim 68    wherein said variable surface includes a section that is moveable with respect to said at least one tab to allow a volume of water to pass through said at least one tab.  
     
     
         71 . A control mechanism kit for a watercraft as recited in    claim 69    wherein said variable section is a pivotal flap that can move from a closed position to an open position.  
     
     
         72 . A control mechanism kit for a watercraft as recited in    claim 70    wherein said pivotal flap comprises a resilient member capable of exerting a resilient force, said resilient member adapted to urge said pivotal flap from said open position back to said closed position when a force tending to open said flap is less than said resilient force.  
     
     
         73 . A control mechanism kit for a watercrafts as recited in    claim 71    wherein said resilient member comprises a rotational spring.  
     
     
         74 . A control mechanism kit for a water as recited in cairns  72  wherein said mechanism further comprises a stopper for limiting said at least one tab in its operative position.  
     
     
         75 . A watercraft control mechanism comprising: 
 (A) a steerable propulsion source;    (B) a starboard act linkage connected to said steerable propulsion source;    (C) a port actuating linkage connected to said steerable propulsion source;    (D) a starboard tab connected to said starboard actuating linkage;    (E) a port tab connected to said port actuating linkage;    (F) a ride plate to which said starboard tab and said port tab are hingedly connected whereby turning of the steerable propulsion source to starboard causes said seaboard tab to pivot below said ride plate thereby drag-steering to starboard and whereby tuning of the steerable propulsion source to port causes said port tab to pivot below said ride plate thereby drag-steering to port; and    (G) a deceleration actuation linkage capable of causing said starboard tab and said port tab to pivot symmetrically below said ride plate thereby creating a force opposite a direction of travel of the watercraft.    
     
     
         76 . A watercraft control mechanism as recited in    claim 75    further comprising: 
 (A) a port spring corrected to said port tab, said port spring capable of urging said port tab back to a position flush with said ride plate; and  
 (B) a starboard spring connected to said starboard tab, said starboard spring capable of urging said starboard tab back to a position flush with said ride plate.  
 
     
     
         77 . A watercraft control mechanism as recited in    claim 76    wherein said steerable propulsion source includes a steerable nozzle.  
     
     
         78 . A watercraft control mechanism as recited in    claim 77    wherein said starboard actuating linkage includes a slider-slot capable of providing non-proportional actuation of said starboard tab and wherein said port actuating linkage includes a slider-slot capable of providing non-proportional actuation of said port tab.  
     
     
         79 . A waters control mechanism as recited in    claim 78    wherein said starboard tab and said port tab include a plurality of holes.  
     
     
         80 . A watercraft control mechanism as recited in    claim 79    wherein said starboard tab and said port tab each include a spring and a spring-loaded flap, said spring-loaded flap capable of pivoting open at high speeds when the momentum of the water impinging on the exposed portion of said spring-loaded flap exceeds the resistance of said spring, thereby alleviating stresses in said watercraft-control mechanism and thereby providing smoother, less drastic deceleration at high speeds.  
     
     
         81 . A watercraft control mechanism as recited in    claim 80    wherein said spring is a torsional spring.  
     
     
         82 . A watercraft control mechanism as recited in    claim 81    wherein said starboard actuating linkage further includes a starboard nozzle arm and wherein said port actuating linkage further includes a port nozzle arm.  
     
     
         83 . A watercraft control mechanism as recited in    claim 82    wherein said starboard nozzle arm and said port nozzle arm each include a slot suitable for non-proportional actuation of said starboard tab and said port tab.  
     
     
         84 . A watercraft; control mechanism as recited in    claim 83    wherein said starboard actuating linkage further includes a telescopic slider suitable for non-proportional actuation of said starboard tab and said port actuating linkage further includes a telescopic slider suitable for non-proportional actuation of said port tab.  
     
     
         85 . A watercraft control mechanism as recited in    claim 84    wherein said starboard actuating linkage further includes a spherical rod-end bearing and wherein said port actuating linkage further includes a spherical rod-end bearing.  
     
     
         86 . A watercraft control mechanism as recited in    claim 85    further comprising a push-pull steering cable connected to said starboard nozzle arm.  
     
     
         87 . A watercraft control mechanism as recited in    claim 86    further comprising a push-pull s steering cable connected to said port nozzle arm.  
     
     
         88 . A watercraft control mechanism as recited in    claim 87    further comprising a pull-only steering cable connected to said starboard nozzle arm and a second pull-only steering cable to connected said port nozzle arm.  
     
     
         89 . A watercraft control mechanism as recited in    claim 88    further comprising a pneumatic or hydraulic damper for smoother actuation of said starboard tab and said port tab.  
     
     
         90 . A watercraft control mechanism as recited in    claim 89    wherein said starboard tab and said port tab are hooked.