US2011107954A1PendingUtilityA1

Combination Catamaran and V-hull

39
Assignee: SCHAEFER JR LOUIS EPriority: Nov 2, 2009Filed: Nov 2, 2010Published: May 12, 2011
Est. expiryNov 2, 2029(~3.3 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Louis E. Schaefer, Jr.
B63B 1/042B63B 1/16
39
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Claims

Abstract

A marine vessel provides a hull having a bow, stern, and port and starboard portions, and a hull bottom having port and starboard sides that form a vee shape. A channel extends longitudinally from the stern toward the bow a distance at least half the hull length, and can extend substantially the entire length of the hull. The bottom of the channel is defined in part by a portion of the hull bottom. The top of the channel is defined by one or more upper panels or surfaces that form catamaran hulls with the port and starboard sides of the hull bottom when the channel is filled with water in a non-planing hull position. The channel is above the water surface when the hull is in a planing position wherein the water drains from the channel.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 . A marine vessel, comprising:
 a) a hull having a bow, stern, and port and starboard portions, and a hull bottom having port and starboard sides that form a vee shape;   b) a channel that extends longitudinally from the stern toward the bow a distance at least half the hull length;   c) the bottom of the channel being defined by the hull bottom;   d) the top of the channel being defined by one or more upper surfaces that form catamaran hulls with the port and starboard sides of the hull bottom when the closed channel is filled with water in a non-planing hull position;   e) an opening that enables water to fill the channel when the hull is in the non-planing position; and   f) the channel being above a water surface when the hull is in a planing position wherein the water drains from the channel.   
     
     
         2 . The marine vessel of  claim 1  wherein the hull has a deadrise of between about 5 and 30 degrees. 
     
     
         3 . The marine vessel of  claim 1  wherein there are at least two of said upper surfaces. 
     
     
         4 . The marine vessel of  claim 3  wherein the upper surfaces form an acute angle. 
     
     
         5 . The marine vessel of  claim 3  wherein the upper surfaces form a right angle. 
     
     
         6 . The marine vessel of  claim 3  wherein the upper surfaces form an obtuse angle. 
     
     
         7 . The marine vessel of  claim 1  wherein the opening is a stern opening. 
     
     
         8 . The marine vessel of  claim 1  wherein the stern has a transom and the opening is in the transom. 
     
     
         9 . The marine vessel of  claim 1  wherein the channel extends to a position next to the bow. 
     
     
         10 . The marine vessel of  claim 1  wherein the channel is below the water surface when the hull is not on plane. 
     
     
         11 . The marine vessel of  claim 1  wherein the channel is above the wetted part of the hull when the hull is on plane. 
     
     
         12 . The marine vessel of  claim 1  wherein the channel divides the hull into port and starboard hull sections when the hull is not on plane. 
     
     
         13 . The marine vessel of  claim 1  wherein an opening in the hull enables air to flow into the channel when the hull transfers between an on plane and an off plane position. 
     
     
         14 . The marine vessel of  claim 13  wherein the opening is above the water surface when the hull is in the off plane position. 
     
     
         15 . The marine vessel of  claim 1  wherein the channel has a transverse cross section with a maximum area and the opening is at least one half the area of the maximum area. 
     
     
         16 . The marine vessel of  claim 13  wherein the opening extends from the channel through the hull at the bow of the hull. 
     
     
         17 . The marine vessel of  claim 1  wherein there are multiple of said channels. 
     
     
         18 . The marine vessel of  claim 1  wherein the hull has port and starboard chines and the channel extends above and below said chines. 
     
     
         19 . The marine vessel of  claim 1  wherein the channel is defined by four side walls. 
     
     
         20 . The marine vessel of  claim 19  wherein two of said side walls are next to the hull bottom and generally parallel to the hull bottom. 
     
     
         21 . The marine vessel of  claim 19  wherein two of said side walls generally track a hull deadrise. 
     
     
         22 . A marine vessel, comprising:
 a) a hull having a bow, stern, and port and starboard portions, and an hull bottom having port and starboard sides that form a vee shape;   b) a closed channel that extends longitudinally from the stern toward the bow a distance at least half the hull length;   c) the bottom of the closed channel being defined by the hull bottom;   d) the top of the closed channel being defined by one or more upper surfaces that form catamaran hulls with the port and starboard sides of the hull bottom when the closed channel is filled with water in a non-planing hull position, each of the catamaran hulls having port and starboard inclined hull surfaces;   e) an opening that enables water to fill the channel when the hull is in the non-planing position;   f) the channel being above the water surface when the hull is in a planing position wherein water drains from the channel.   
     
     
         23 . The marine vessel of  claim 22 , further comprising propulsion units. 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . The marine vessel of  claim 1 , further comprising propulsion units.

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