Watercraft stabilizer

Abstract

A watercraft stabilizer assembly includes a frame comprising a plurality of frame members connected together and a plurality of floats received on the frame. At least one clamp secures the frame to a watercraft. The clamp comprises clamp members that are securable together such that the frame and a portion of the watercraft are held together between the clamp members.

1 . A watercraft stabilizer assembly comprising: 
 a frame comprising a plurality of frame members connected together;    a plurality of floats received on the frame; and    at least one clamp for securing the frame to a watercraft, the clamp comprising clamp members that are securable together such that the frame and a portion of the watercraft are held together between the clamp members.    
   
   
       2 . The watercraft stabilizer assembly recited in  claim 1 , wherein the clamp members comprise a U-shaped member and a saddle member having a pivot surface.  
   
   
       3 . The watercraft stabilizer assembly recited in  claim 2 , wherein the U-shaped member includes threaded portions that receive corresponding fasteners to secure the saddle member and the U-shaped member together.  
   
   
       4 . The watercraft stabilizer assembly as recited in  claim 3 , further comprising resilient lip between the fasteners and the saddle member.  
   
   
       5 . The watercraft stabilizer assembly recited in  claim 2 , wherein the saddle member includes a curved surface in contact with the frame.  
   
   
       6 . The watercraft stabilizer assembly recited in  claim 1 , wherein the frame is made from a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, aluminum alloy, titanium, titanium alloy, magnesium, magnesium alloy, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       7 . The watercraft stabilizer assembly recited in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of frame members consists of two frame members.  
   
   
       8 . The watercraft stabilizer assembly recited in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of frame members consists of four frame members.  
   
   
       9 . The watercraft stabilizer assembly recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of frame members comprises a crimped end for connection to another of the plurality of frame members.  
   
   
       10 . The watercraft stabilizer assembly recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of frame members comprises a swaged end for connection to another of the plurality of frame members.  
   
   
       11 . The watercraft stabilizer assembly recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of frame members comprises a first portion having a first cross-sectional area and a second portion having a second cross sectional area that is smaller than the first cross-sectional area.  
   
   
       12 . The watercraft stabilizer assembly recited in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of frame members comprises joints, wherein at least one of the joints is within one of the plurality of floats.  
   
   
       13 . The watercraft stabilizer assembly recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a resilient locking mechanism that secures at least two of the plurality of frame members together.  
   
   
       14 . A watercraft stabilizer assembly comprising: 
 a frame comprising a plurality of frame members connected together;    a plurality of floats received on the frame; and    a two-point support that secures the frame to a watercraft.    
   
   
       15 . The watercraft stabilizer assembly recited in  claim 14 , wherein the two-point support contacts the frame at a first point and at a second point that is spaced apart from said first point.  
   
   
       16 . The watercraft stabilizer assembly recited in  claim 14 , wherein the two-point support includes a first member that supports the frame at a first point and a separate and distinct second member that supports the frame at a second point.  
   
   
       17 . The watercraft stabilizer assembly recited in  claim 14 , wherein the first member provides support in a first direction and the second member provides support in a second direction that is transverse to the first direction.  
   
   
       18 . A method of securing a stabilizer assembly to a watercraft, comprising: 
 clamping a frame of the stabilizer assembly to a portion of the watercraft between clamp members such the clamp members support the frame at two points.    
   
   
       19 . The method recited in  claim 18 , including supporting the frame in a first direction using a first one of the clamp members and supporting the frame in a second direction that is transverse to the first direction using a second one of the clamp members.  
   
   
       20 . The method recited in  claim 18 , including contacting the frame at a first point using a first one of the clamp members and contacting the frame at a second point using a second one of the clamp members.