Venturi effect scupper drain

Abstract

An example watercraft includes a hull that defines a cockpit. A scupper is provided that extends from the cockpit through an exterior surface of the hull. A recess defined by the hull is in communication with the scupper, and the recess defines a portion of a venturi tube. A plate that is attachable to the hull is configured to define another portion of the venturi tube such that when the plate is attached to the hull, a complete venturi tube is defined.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A venturi plate, comprising:
 a base; and   a set of structural elements that are connected to, and extend away from, the base, and the structural elements define:
 a portion of an inlet of a venturi tube, and the portion of the inlet is less than an entirety of the inlet; 
 a portion of a throat of the venturi tube, and the portion of the throat is less than an entirety of the throat; and 
 a portion of an outlet of the venturi tube, and the portion of the outlet is less than an entirety of the outlet, and 
   the portion of the inlet of the venturi tube, the portion of the throat of the venturi tube, and the portion of the outlet of the venturi tube, are all arranged for fluid communication with each other.   
     
     
         2 . The venturi plate as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the venturi plate is configured to cooperate with complementary structure of a watercraft to define the venturi tube in its entirety when the venturi plate is attached to a hull of the watercraft. 
     
     
         3 . The venturi plate as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the structural elements are integral with the base. 
     
     
         4 . The venturi plate as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the venturi plate comprises plastic and has a unified, single-piece construction. 
     
     
         5 . The venturi plate as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the structural elements comprise walls that extend away from the base. 
     
     
         6 . The venturi plate as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the base is flat on a side opposite a side where the structural elements are located. 
     
     
         7 . The venturi plate as recited in  claim 1 , wherein all of the structural elements are located on a common side of the base. 
     
     
         8 . The venturi plate as recited in  claim 1 , wherein respective dimensions of the structural elements vary over a length of the base. 
     
     
         9 . The venturi plate as recited in  claim 1 , wherein respective heights of the structural elements vary over a length of the base. 
     
     
         10 . The venturi plate as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the structural elements are symmetric about a longitudinal axis of the venturi plate. 
     
     
         11 . The venturi plate as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the venturi plate has a generally planar configuration. 
     
     
         12 . The venturi plate as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of the portions comprises a respective lengthwise portion. 
     
     
         13 . The venturi plate as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the portions together define a lengthwise portion of the venturi tube. 
     
     
         14 . The venturi plate as recited in  claim 1 , wherein respective heights of the structural elements are at a maximum in or near the throat of the venturi tube.