The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 25, 2004
Filed:
Aug. 08, 2000
Roy Rard, Mount Vernon, WA (US);
Cascade Designs, Inc., Seattle, WA (US);
Abstract
An improved rudder system and pedal system for use in a watercraft such as a kayak. The rudder assembly includes a rudder housing having a push rod operably linked to a rudder blade positioned in the housing. A rudder control cord passes through a fairlead located at the top of the push rod and terminates at the trailing edge of the rudder blade. Upon tensioning of the rudder cord, the push rod acts against a notch in the leading edge of the rudder blade, which causes rotation of the rudder blade in addition to the rotational force on the trailing edge of the rudder blade due to movement of the control cord. A feature of the rudder assembly is the incorporation of a spring element in the rudder blade that provides an extension bias to the rudder blade, and user selectable pre-loading thereof for varying the rotational bias. The pedal system includes a toe control pivotally attached to a foot brace that is slidingly located in a track. A rudder cable arrangement is deflected by rotation of the toe control along the length of the track, thereby permitting actuation of the rudder system independent of the location in the track of the pedal system. A feature of the pedal system is the incorporation of a lockable positioning rod connected to the foot brace at one end and extending past the aft end of the track so that a user can remotely position the foot brace and retain its position. Another feature is the use of a trim control assembly to vary the length of cable between the foot brace and a mechanical ground, thereby permitting the user to remotely select the rudder blade trim, without having to modify the position of the control pedals.