NZ195442A - Rowing rig for boat - Google Patents

Description

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NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT, 1953 No.: Date: 13 Broad Street, Hay-on-Wye, Hereford, United Kingdom, hereby declare the invention for which I / wx pray that a patent may be granted to me/sjst, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- (followed by page,la) 1 95442' Rowing Rigs for Small Craft This invention relates to rowing rigs for rowing vessels and to outriggers for such rowing rigs.

From one aspect of the invention there is provided a rowing vessel having a seat, a stretcher, guide 5 means to define a path of travel for the stretcher extending along the vessel, and an arm carrying a rowlock at or adjacent one end, wherein the arm is pivotally mounted on the vessel adjacent the seat, and the vessel includes a coupling connecting the stretcher to the arm, whereby 10 longitudinal movement of the stretcher causes corresponding pivotal movement of the arm, the arrangement and dimensions of the parts being such that the velocity ratio between the stretcher and the rowlock is less than 1.

The coupling may connect the stretcher to 15 the outrigger arm at a point inboard of the rowlock and may be collapsible when it experiences a force above a predetermined level.

In any of these cases the outrigger arm may be pivotably mounted about a substantially vertical axis 20 extending through the vessel.

Alternatively the arm may extend vertically upwardly to support an oar adjacent the gunwale of the boat and in this case the arm is preferably mounted for BKCD/JL -la- , —, MLPkimmw 31 JAN 1984 "wmi, ' in IH—II -. 1 95442 pivotable movement about a generally horizontal axis. The arm may pass through a slot extending along the side of the boat, in which case the ends of the slot limit the movement of the arm.

The coupling means may be adjustable to adjust the extent of arc swept by the arm and hence the overall travel of the rowlock in relation to the movement of the stretcher. The coupling means may also include means for varying the point of connection of the coupling means to 10 the rowlock supporting arm along the length of the arm, but inboard of the rowlock.

The means for limiting movement of the stretcher along its path of travel may comprise elongate resilient means having one end securable to the vessel adjacent the 15 seat and the other end connected to the stretcher and arm assembly. Alternatively the means for limiting movement of the stretcher may be constituted by stops mounted on the guide means.

The arm supporting the rowlock may extend 2 0 vertically upwards above the gunwale of the boat, and in which case the stretcher may be swingably mounted on a horizontal pivot.

In this latter case the stretcher may be supported by depending arms interconnected by a prolong-25 ation of the arm carrying the rowlock the upper portion 3 1 JAN 1984 ffcosiviD 19544 of the rowlock supporting arm may be foldable outwardly to constitute an outrigger.

The arm may be constituted by an outrigger, comprising an elongate member, means for mounting the elongate member for pivoting about a vertical axis on a vessel, the elongate member having at its outer end means for supporting the oar, wherein the outrigger includes a first member mountable on the vessel to extend upwardly therefrom, the elongate member having one end pivotably connected about a generally horizontal axis to the first member and extending away therefrom, a further member mounted at the other end of the elongate member to depend therefrom and for pivoting about a generally horizontal axis, means interconnecting the further member at a point below the other end of the elongate member to the first member at a point above the one end of the elongate member, the further member having means for supporting an oar between the ends thereof, the arrangement being such that when, in use, force is applied to the oar in a sense to upwardly pivot the blade of the oar the apparent point of pivot lies between the means to support the oar and the grip of the oar.

The interconnecting means may pass through the elongate member.

NXfATen-ornqP 31 JAN 1984 -3- - RECEIVE* 195442 - a - From another aspect the invention consists in an outrigger for supporting an oar, comprising an elongate member and means for mounting the elongate member for pivoting about a vertical axis on a vessel, 5 the elongate member having at its outer end means for supporting the oar, wherein the outrigger includes a first member mountable on the vessel to extend upwardly therefrom, the elongate member having one end pivotably connected about a generally horizontal axis to the first 10 member and extending away therefrom, a further member mounted at the other end of the elongate member to depend therefrom and for pivoting about a generally horizontal axis, means interconnecting the further member at a point below the other end of the elongate member to the first 15 member at a point above the one end of the elongate member, the further member having means for supporting an oar between the ends thereof, the arrangement being such that when, in use, force is applied to the oar in a sense to upwardly pivot the blade of the oar the apparent point 2 0 of pivot lies between the means to support the oar and the grip of the oar.

The invention may further include a rowing rig having an outrigger as set out above. 1 31JANJ9®4 195442 The invention may still further include a rowing boat having a fixed seat and a rowing rig as set out above.

Specific embodiments of the invention will 5 now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the stern-most seat of a pair; Figure 2 is a schematic view from above of a 10 single scull; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a pair ; Figure 4a is a perspective view from above of a rowing boat; Figure 4b is a scrap view of Figure 4a showing an alternative embodiment of a rowing rig, and Figure 5 is an enlarged side view of the rowing rig of Figure 4a with a movement of the rig in use indicated in chain line. - 5 1—1-n ■ fMHTI nrni.1—U—J 31 JAN 1984 195442 Figure 1 shows s part of a pair, generally indicated at 10. As is well known such vessels comprise an elongate hull 11 having decked-in-portions at their bow and stern (the stern portion is indicated at 12) and 5 an open cockpit indicated at 13 extending between these deck portions. In a pair two seats are provided in this cockpit and in traditional■pairs these seats are sliaable. In the pair of Figure 1 the seat 14 is fixed relative to the bow 11, although in certain 10 ' circumstances the seat 14 may be capable of limited movement.

Channel shaped guide tracks 15 are secured by means of screws 15a either side of the cockpit 13, sternwards of seat 14 and adjacent the gunwales of the 15 vessel 10. The guide tracks 15 are aligned and parallel and are arranged to slidably receive the ends of stretcher 16. A return spring 16a_ may be connected between stretcher 16 and a part of the -boat adjacent seat 14, to assist the return of the stretcher to the forward end 20 of the guides 15* «E555r5S3T ——WwN—mmm■ nn« » -6- 31 JAN 1984 195442' An outrigger generally indicated at 17 comprises a cranked portion 18 and an arm 19» which are joined together by a friction Joint' 20. The free end of crank portion 18 is mounted on a vertically extending axle 5 21, which is secured to the hull 11 beneath the seat 14.

The am 19 extends transversely out from the pair 10 and has a rowlock 22 mounted at its free end.

A number of spaced locating holes 23 are formed in the mid-portion of arm 19- Preferably the locating holes 10 23 lie between the limits 0.4- and 0.6 times the length of the outrigger arm measured from axle 21.

The locating holes 23 provide means for securing one end of a coupling element 24 to the arm 19, the other end of the element 24 being secured to the 15 stretcher. • The coupling element 24 is preferably provided with means for folding or collapsing transversely in the manner of a Jack-knife, in order harmlessly to relieve the force on the outrigger arm 19 in the case of a 20 collision or other mishap. For example such means may be constituted by a hinge Joint, having a vertical axis, at 25 in combination with a spring or catch of moderate strength to hold it in the normal operating position.

The same mechanism may be released when it is desired to ... i •/ ' 7 ~ 31 JAN 1984 195442. swing the outrigger arm 19 into a longitudinal position for convenience in transport or storage.

In use a rower mounts an oar (not shown) on rowlock 22- and rows with a normal action. However, in this 5 case the stretcher 16 slides up anc down guide tracks 15 whilst seat 14 remains practically stationary. The forward and aft movement of the stretcher during each stroke drives by means of coupling element 24 arm 19 and hence rowlock 22 through the arc indicated in Figure 1. The effect of 10 this arrangement is two-fold. First, as will "be better seen in Figure 2, which shows a single scull, the pivoting of arm 19 about axle 21 allows a longer pull to occur through water for each stroke and hence increases available driving power. The size of the arc of movment 15 of arm 19 and hence the length of rpull can be varied by altering the locating hole 23 into which the one end of coupling means 24 is secured. The nearer the selected hole 23 is to axle 21 the greater the arc per unit length of movement of stretcher 16. 20 The second effect of the assembly comprising outrigger 17, coupling means 2 4 and the slide.portion stretcher 16 is that as the seat 14 is fixed and the stretcher 16 is movable the propulsive force is at least partially transmitted through the backrest of seat 14. For 23 this reason it is desirable to have at least some padding 31 JAN 1984 ^ hegrvfr 195442 4 or air-cushioning on seat 14. It will also be appreciated that as seat 14 is fixed the transference of weight bow-to-stern during the rowing action is greatly reduced and hence there is a reduction of fore-and-aft oscillation of 5 the boat.

Figure 2 shows a single scull generally indicated at 26. It will be noted that there is a rowing rig 27 on either side of seat 14 and that each outrigger arm 19 is connected to a vertical axle 28 adjacent the backrest 10 of seat 14 and on its respective side thereof. The increase in pull length gained from the rigs 27 is clearly shown by Figure 2.

Figure 3 shows an alternative form of outrigger 17- In this embodiment arm 19 is secured to an up- ^ standing flange portion 29 of cranjc portion 18 by means of a hinge 30. Hinge 30 has a horizontal extending axis. A depending flange 31 is hingedly secured to the free end of arm 19 by means of hinge 32, which again has a horizontal extending axis. Flanges 29 and 31 are further 20 interconnected by means of a member 33 which extends from the top of flange 29 to the bottom of flange 31 through a channel (not shown) in arm 19. Each end connection of member 33 is free to pivot. A further flange 3^ is hinged to flange 31 about a generally vertical axis and in turn 25 has an oar 35 hinged thereon. The oar is hinged at 3^a_ about a generally horizontal axis extending parallel to ■» the axis of the oar. y?., 3 1 JAN 1984 ; - 9 - - mcrnm . 195442 The two hinges secured to flange 3^ provide the oar with movement about "both vertical and horizontal axes. It will .be appreciated that other means of connecting the oar 33 to the flange 31, which provide this degree of 5 freedom of movement would be suitable. Preferably the connection of the oar to flange 3^ should allow the oar to be releasable from flange 3^- A spring 19a may be connected between flange 29 and arm 19 to counterbalance the weight of the oar.

In use, when it is desired to raise the blade of the oar 35 from the water a downward force is applied to the other end of the oar 35 "by the rower. This downward force causes flange 31 to be drawn away from the end of the arm 19 and hence pulls Qn member 33- The pull on member 33 lifts the outward end:of arm 19 and thus the oar apparently pivots about the fulcrum indicated at 36, rather than about hinge 32. Therefore for a given effort the blade of the oar is lifted from the water more quickly. It is envisaged that such an arrangement would be 20 particularly useful in a hydrofoil vessel.

In either of the above arrangements the channel-shaped guide tracks may be replaced by two or more spaced parallel guide tubes (not shown) in which case the - 1Q - 31 JAN 1984 195442 / stretcher nay be mounted on the tubes by P.T.F.E. or low friction bushes mounted on the tubes. In addition a further guide may be located on or adjacent the bottom of the boat extending axially.

Figures 4_a and 5 show a rowing rig for a 5 conventional rowing boat. In this embodiment the stretcher'37 is supported on depending arms 38 by means of an inner rod 37s to allow fore-and-aft movement in the manner of a swing or trapeze. The rod 37a is rigidly connected to arms 38 on either side of the boat. Arm 39 is suspended between the stretcher 37 and a further depending arm 4-0, which is pivotally secured adjacent 10 seat 41. Stretcher ^7 is rigidly conn.ected to arm 39-The arm 39 extends upwardly to the gunwales of the boat through a guide 42, which allows limited horizontal movement of the arm 39 in the manner shown in Figure 5-A return sprin; 43 extends from the boat to stretcher 36. Alternatively the return spring may be constituted by a torque rod or by e coil spring in one of the joints of the 15 rig. The rigid connection of the stretcher 37 and rod 37a tc arms 39 and 38 respectively on either side of the boat maintain rowlocks 39a.,connected at the free ends of arms 39 ,in phase.

Figure 4b shows an alternative embodiment in which the arm 39 is extended and hinged above the gunwales of the boat so as to form a horizontal outrigger. The 20 arm 39 is free to move up anc down and is provided with a counterbalancing spring to prevent the arm 3° f^om disengaging the oar. In use the oar rests on the guide 42, which may be suitably modified for this purpose. Thus the oar pivots at the rowlock 39a during horizontal or driving 25 motion and at the guide during vertical or lifting motion.

In both these embodiments movement of the rowlock • 195442- by the stretcher increases the length of the pull of the blade and also power is transmitted through the fixed seat 41 on the boat.

It will be noticed that the invention provides 5 connecting; means between the movable foot stretcher and the rowlock which generate a mechanical advantage or velocity ratio between the longitudinal movements of said two parts. In the Figure 1 embodiment this connecting means comprises the pivoted connecting or coupling element 10 24 attached to a pivot point 50 on the arm 17 inboard of the rowlock 22. In the embodiment of Figure 5 the connecting or coupling element means comprises the bell crank arm 39 combined with the pivoting connectirg link 40. In the illustrated embodiments velocity ratio between the 15 stretcher and rowlock is about 0.66 (1:1.5) i.e. the rowlock moves approximately 50% further fore-and-aft than the stretcher. \ 31 JAN 1984

Claims (6)

1. tq 6 Ctk'X N -1—j 13 - WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. A rowing vessel having a seat, a stretcher, guide means to define a path of travel for the stretcher extending along the vessel, and an arm carrying a rowlock at or adjacent one end, wherein the arm is pivotally mounted on the vessel adjacent the seat, and the vessel includes a coupling connecting the stretcher to the arm, whereby longitudinal movement of the stretcher causes corresponding pivotal movement of the arm, the arrangement and dimensions of the parts being such that the velocity ratio between the stretcher and the rowlock is less than 1.
2. 2. A rowing vessel according to Claim 1, including adjusting means for varying the velocity ratio.
3. 3. A rowing vessel as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the coupling connects the stretcher to the arm at a point inboard of the rowlock.
4. 4. A rowing vessel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the coupling comprises a strut collapsible when it experiences a force above a predetermined value.
5. 5. A rowing vessel as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the arm is pivotably mounted about a substantially vertical axis extending through the vessel.
6. 6. A rowing vessel as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the arm is vertical and pivots on a transverse above the gunwale of the vessel. horizontal axis and is arranged to support the rowlock BKCD/JL l^tOFEB1984^ - 13 - I <?g U1?% - 14 - 7. A rowing vessel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including means for limiting the movement of the stretcher along its path of travel. 8. A rowing vessel according to Claim 7, in which the said movement limiting means includes a resilient element. 9. A rowing vessel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling is adjustable to vary the overall range of movement of the rowlock in relation to the movement of the stretcher along its path of travel. 10. A rowing vessel as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the coupling includes means for varying the point of connection of the coupling means to the arm along the length of the arm. 11. A rowing vessel having a seat, a stretcher, guide means to define a path of travel for the stretcher extending along the vessel, and an arm carrying a rowlock at or adjacent one end, wherein the arm is pivotally mounted on the vessel adjacent the seat, and the vessel includes a coupling connecting the stretcher to the arm whereby longitudinal movement of the stretcher causes corresponding pivotal movement of the arm, the arm extend-ing vertically upwards to support the rowlock above the "V 3 ® gunwale of the vessel and the .stretcher being pivotally CO Xf ' 2*, mounted on the horizontal axis, the arrangement and dimensions of the parts being such that the velocity ratio;- 14 -;- 15 - 1 95442;between the stretcher and the rowlock is less than L;12„ A rowing vessel as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the stretcheris supported by depending arms, the arms being interconnected by a prolongation of the rowlock supporting 5 arm.;13. A rowing vessel as claimed in Claim 11 or Claim 12, in which the upper portion of the arm is foldable outwardly to constitute an outrigger„;14. A rowing vessel as claimed in any one of Claims 10 1 to 4 wherein the arm is constituted by an outrigger,;comprising an elongate member, means for mounting the elongate member for pivoting about a vertical axis on a vessel, the elongate member having at its outer end means for supporting the oar, wherein the outrigger includes a first 15 member mountable on the vessel to extend upwardly therefrom, the elongate member having one end pivotably connected about a generally horizontal axis to the first member and extending away therefrom, a further member mounted at the other end of the elongate member to depend therefrom and for pivoting 20 about a generally horizontal axis, means interconnecting the further member at a point below the other end of the elongate member to the first member at a point above the one end of the elongate member, the further member having means for supporting an oar between the ends thereof, the arrangement 25 being such that when, in use, force is applied to the oar in • a sense to upwardly pivot the blade of the oar the apparent point of pivot lies between the means to support the oar and;■ 31 JAN 1984;j— ■ i..;£ WSCStyw* 195442' - 16 - the grip of the oar. 15. A vessel as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the interconnecting means passes through the elongate member. 5 16.An outrigger for supporting an oar, comprising an elongate member and means for mounting the elongate member for pivoting about a vertical axis on a vessel, the elongate member having at its outer end means for supporting the oar, wherein the outrigger includes a first 10 member mountable on the vessel to extend upwardly therefrom, the elongate member having one end pivotably connected about a generally horizontal axis to the first member and extending away therefrom, a further member mounted at the other end of the elongate member to depend 15 therefrom and for pivoting about a generally horizontal axis, means interconnecting the further member at a point below the other end of the elongate member to the first member at a point above the one end of the elongate member, the further member having means for supporting an oar 20 between the ends thereof, the arrangement being such that when, in use, force is applied to the oar in a sense to upwardly pivot the blade of the oar the apparent point of pivot lies between the means to support the oar and the grip of the oar. 25 17. An outrigger as claimed in Claim 16, wherein 195442 ' 17 the interconnecting means passes through the elongate member. 18. An outrigger substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing. 19. A rowing vessel having an outrigger as claimed in Claim 16 or 17. 20. A rowing vessel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.