| Highly stable all terrain vehicle powered watercraft -> Monitor Keywords |
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Highly stable all terrain vehicle powered watercraftRelated Patent Categories: Marine Propulsion, Powered From Land Vehicle Supported By VesselHighly stable all terrain vehicle powered watercraft description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070243774, Highly stable all terrain vehicle powered watercraft. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The invention relates to water craft in general and to auxiliary vehicle driven water craft in particular. [0003] 2. Prior Art [0004] Water craft powered by auxiliary vehicles are well known in the art. U.S. Pat. No. 1,568,307, for example, illustrates a propellor driven barge, in which the power for the propellor is provided by an auxiliary vehicle, namely a car. The car's wheels turn a set of rollers which impart motion to the propeller which in turn drives the vessel. The car acts as the engine for the vessel. However, in the prior art, the auxiliary vehicles are generally positioned quite high relative to the hull of the vessel. As a result, the vertical centers of gravity of the prior art vessels are high. Such vessels cannot be both fast and stable. A vessel moving at any substantial rate of speed--fast enough to be "on plane" for example--generally must roll or bank somewhat when making a turn. With a high center of gravity, the vessel can become unstable as the roll extends the center of gravity outward relative to the axis of rotation of the vessel. Acting across this moment arm, the distance between the center of gravity and the axis of rotation, the mass of the auxiliary vehicle can cause the vessel to overturn. Accordingly, the prior art vessels must either travel at relatively slow speeds to allow them to be maneuvered safely or the vessel operator must run great risks when turning the vessel. This poses no great problem when the vessel is primarily serving as a ferry, carrying the auxiliary vessel across a body of water. The operator can simply "go slow." However, where any significant amount of travel is required of the vessel, greater speed and maneuverability than is available in the prior art is desirable. Therefore, an auxiliary powered vessel meeting the following objectives is desired. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION [0005] It is an object of the invention to provide a vessel configured to carry an auxiliary vehicle. [0006] It is another object of the invention to provide a vessel whose propulsion system is powered by an auxiliary vehicle. [0007] It is still another object of the invention to provide an auxiliary vehicle powered vessel capable of operating at relatively high speeds. [0008] It is yet another object of the invention to provide an auxiliary vehicle powered vessel capable of maneuvering safely at relatively high speeds. [0009] It is still another object of the invention to provide an auxiliary vehicle powered vessel capable of operating in relatively shallow waters. [0010] It is yet another object of the invention to provide an auxiliary vehicle powered vessel that can be steered like a conventional water craft. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0011] An auxiliary vehicle powered vessel is disclosed. The vessel comprises a hull and a deck. The vessel is configured to carry an auxiliary vehicle, such as an all terrain vehicle or four wheeler, preferably on the deck. The all terrain vehicle can be driven onto and off of the vessel. When in the vessel, the auxiliary vehicle will engage a transmission such that the operation of the auxiliary vehicle will power the propulsion mechanism of the vessel. When the vessel reaches its destination, the auxiliary vehicle can be driven off the vessel and used at the destination. When the operator is ready to depart, the auxiliary vehicle can be returned to the vessel and used to power the vessel again. The preferred embodiment of the vessel is provided with a "mud boat" propulsion system to allow it to operate in shallow waters. The preferred embodiment of the vessel is also designed to overcome the stability challenges posed by the high center of gravity that will arise from carrying objects such the auxiliary vehicle in the vessel and particularly when such objects are transported on deck. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES [0012] FIG. 1A is a representative drawing showing a vessel with a relatively small draft and a relatively high center of gravity in an upright position. [0013] FIG. 1B is a representative drawing showing the vessel of FIG. 1A with a list of about ten degrees and in a stable position. [0014] FIG. 2A is a representative drawing showing a vessel with a relatively large draft in an upright position. [0015] FIG. 2B is a representative drawing showing the vessel of FIG. 2A with a list of about ten degrees. [0016] FIG. 3A is a representative drawing showing a vessel with a relatively large draft and a relatively high center of gravity in an upright position. [0017] FIG. 3B is a representative drawing showing the vessel of FIG. 3A with a list of about ten degrees and in an unstable position. [0018] FIG. 4 is a chart illustrating the variations in the righting arm of the preferred embodiment of the vessel as the draft of the vessel changes. [0019] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an auxiliary vehicle powered vessel with an auxiliary vehicle in place. [0020] FIG. 6A is a top view of a preferred embodiment of an auxiliary vehicle powered vessel with the preferred embodiment of a ramp in the stowed position. Continue reading about Highly stable all terrain vehicle powered watercraft... Full patent description for Highly stable all terrain vehicle powered watercraft Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Highly stable all terrain vehicle powered watercraft patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Highly stable all terrain vehicle powered watercraft or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Fuel system for outboard motor Next Patent Application: Container for storing an inflatable liferaft Industry Class: Marine propulsion ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Highly stable all terrain vehicle powered watercraft patent info. 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